We've all seen lawyer billboards and commercials, but what should you look for when evaluating what personal injury attorney or firm is the best fit for you?

Getting injured impacts every aspect of people's lives. Depending on how serious the injuries are, you may be in the hospital and unable to work. Your car may be totaled and in need of significant repairs. The insurance companies are incentivized to resolve claims quickly and for the least amount of money possible. Do NOT accept a settlement before consulting with an experienced injury attorney. Research has shown that people with attorneys recover at least 3 times more than people who handle claims on their own.

Most Colorado personal injury firms offer a free consultation and here's what you should ask at the first meeting:

• Do you focus exclusively on personal injury law? Our strong advice is to hire a lawyer who specializes in the representation of injured victims. Like doctors in the medical field, there are many areas of the law and it's in your best interest to hire a specialist.

• How many years have you been in practice? Will a more senior level attorney work on my case or will it get assigned to a junior associate? Many junior lawyers are amazing but you'll want to know who will do the day-to-day work on your case so there aren't mismanaged expectations down the road.

• Are you comfortable filing a lawsuit if the insurance company doesn't offer fair compensation for my injuries? How many personal injury jury trials have you done? We recommend hiring a firm that's comfortable in the courtroom and has significant experience in litigation. Many cases settle without going to court. Most cases that go to court do not end up in a jury trial. But, hiring a firm with a litigation/trial background gives much more credibility to your claim than a firm known for always settling cases without filing a lawsuit. And, if a lawsuit is necessary, you'll want to be confident your lawyer has the trial background and skills to effectively handle that stage of your case. 

• What timeline am I looking at for this? Be wary of firms that tell you they can resolve your injury claim in a few months. Depending on your injuries, it can take up to a year or more to know the full impact on your life. And once you settle, you can never come back for more money down the road.

• How much money can I expect to recover? A great question we get all the time. Particularly early in the case, there is no credible way to tell a client how much money she will receive. The answer depends on many factors: how injured are you; how much are your medical bills; will you need surgeries down the road; did you lose income due to the injuries; how much insurance does the at fault party have….etc. Again, be wary of the attorney or firm that tells you how much money you can expect to recover on your initial meeting.

Our best advice is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney that will take the time and has the resources to ensure you recover the maximum amount of money possible. If you're hurt and have any questions or need help, contact Kane Trial Law today at (303) 919-7777 for a free consultation.