Have you suffered from a wrongful death?
Wrongful death cases occur whenever someone dies due to the actions of another. This might come about due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, employer, driver, or any other person who fails their duty to keep people safe.
It also applies to instances in which the death was intentional or premeditated. If you want, you can pursue both criminal charges and a wrongful death lawsuit against the perpetrator of your loved one’s death. Texas law is complicated and understanding your rights is critical to seeking justice.
If any of this applies to you, you should consider hiring a wrongful death lawyer and pursuing a lawsuit against the guilty party. But how do you find these attorneys? We’ll go into everything you need to know below.
Keep reading to learn more!
Look Up Attorneys in Your Area
To start your search for the right wrongful death lawyer, do your research regarding the attorneys who serve in your area. Almost every region of the United States has attorneys familiar with local law.
You want to make sure you hire lawyers who know the proper legal proceedings in your locale. This ensures you get the best legal team for your case.
How do you research local attorneys? Start with your preferred search engine. Search engines prioritize presenting you with lawyers in your area. If you search for “wrongful death attorneys near me,” it should bring up results for lawyers near your home. Take a look at the names that show up in the results. Double-check whether they represent wrongful death cases.
Should their website leave you in doubt, contact their office.
If you live in the Houston area, our wrongful death attorneys remain ready to provide you with the best representation available. Learn more about our services today!
Get Recommendations from Your Social Network
Do you know people who have been through wrongful death cases before?
Ask them for a recommendation. Talk to them about their experience with their lawyer and ascertain whether this person might serve as a good fit for you.
You might also want to speak to your contact about the details of their case. If they differ from yours in major ways, their lawyer might not serve your needs as well as they served those of your friend or acquaintance. Knowing this in advance might give you an idea of whether their lawyer might fit your case.
Read Reviews
Once you have a list of potential attorneys, read reviews from their previous clients. This gives you an idea of how well they have served other people in the past.
Many lawyers list client testimonials on their websites. These can serve as excellent sources of information. Yet, a law firm selects only positive reviews to make its services appear more reliable. If you want the full picture, you should read reviews from third-party sites as well.
If you can’t find reviews, ask the firm if it has any client references for you to contact.
Schedule a Consultation
Lawyers don’t take on clients without meeting with them first. This serves two purposes: the attorney gets to know the case better, and the client has the opportunity to ask questions.
These meetings don’t come with any future obligation to work together. So, when you schedule one, remain aware that neither of you has entered any binding agreements yet.
Before you meet with your potential attorney, come up with a series of questions to ask them. This should include questions regarding what kinds of cases they have represented before. Ask whether they have worked on cases similar to yours. If they have, they might have the experience you need to win your case.
You should also ask how long they have been in the legal field. Many new attorneys enter the field every year, and they serve as excellent representatives. Yet, the longer someone has practiced, the more familiar with their areas of law they become.
So, if you want a great attorney, you should look for someone with experience.
Look for Someone Who Listens
Your attorney should serve you and your needs well. As such, they should balance giving you their legal advice with listening to your concerns.
When you tell your story, pay attention to how well your potential attorney listens to you. Do they ask poignant, relevant questions and address your concerns?
Look for Someone You Like
Wrongful death lawsuits can take some time to complete. As such, you and your lawyer will develop a long-term, professional relationship, and you want to like them.
So, when you meet with a wrongful death attorney, see how well your personalities match. If you get along well with this person, you might have success working together for a long period of time. If you don’t like them, choose another lawyer for your case.
Ask About the Contingency Percentage
Most lawyers don’t charge their clients unless they win their case. This works out in your favor since you won’t have to pay your attorney until you reach a much more financially stable place.
Attorneys take their payment from a percentage of winnings. This percentage is known as the contingency fee. It usually amounts to 25%-40% of your final amount. To determine how much an individual attorney takes, ask them about it at the consultation.
Ready to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Are you looking to hire a wrongful death lawyer?
If so, we hope you can use this guide to point you to the best attorneys for your case.
Here at Roberts Markland, we always stand ready and eager to help you. We’re passionate about getting you the help you need, and we want to use our years of experience to do so.
Contact us today to get started on your wrongful death case!