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Advice on Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer
By Philip Cockerille, Attorney at Law, Denver, Colorado
Victims of personal injuries, particularly if their injuries are sustained in a car accident, auto/truck collision, or on a motorcycle, often find themselves so incapacitated that they accept whatever the insurance company offers.
However, if the accident has caused permanent disability, loss of wages, hefty medical bills--even severe pain and emotional distress--the victim may be able to collect greater compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you obtain just compensation for your injuries and the losses that resulted from the accident.
If you are the victim of severe injuries, choose your lawyer carefully. Here are some things to consider:
- Choose a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law, and who has extensive experience in this field. He or she will be up-to-date on decisions in recent court cases, and on state laws that apply to your case. In Colorado, you can check on a lawyer's areas of specialization at the Colorado Bar Association's site. To find those who specialize in personal injury law, select that "practice area" from the drop-down menu. A lawyer with a general practice, or with quite a few "practice areas" listed, may not have enough experience in personal injury law to get you the best possible compensation.
- Choose a lawyer who has experience both in the court room and in negotiating out-of-court settlements. A good out-of-court settlement usually results from a lawyer who is well-prepared to take the case to court.
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Consider the lawyer's credentials: Is he/she a graduate of a well-known university's law school, or does he/she hold a degree from a lesser school? Is the lawyer a member of the state's Bar Association, the state's Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice (formerly known as the American Trial Lawyers Association)? All of these are important indications of the lawyer's professional status and commitment to the practice of trial law.
There are many lawyers and law firms from which to choose. Some of them will do a better job representing you and your interests than others. Look for one who meets the criteria above and seems to genuinely care about helping you obtain generous compensation for your injuries, as well as a measure of justice. At the law firm of Philip R. Cockerille, that is our goal.
Attorney Philip R. Cockerille has 30 years of experience representing the victims of auto, truck, and motorcycle collisions. His offices are located in Denver, Colorado. He is a member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.
Permission is given to reprint the article, How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer, provided the attribution above, including an active link to http://www.denverpersonalinjury.net, is included.
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