It’s happened—you’ve been in an accident. Among other things, you need a lawyer. But how do you find one that is right Kansas City accident lawyer for your case, and more importantly, one you can trust with a significant portion of your life? Here, we’ll offer you some suggestions on finding the best Missouri lawyer for your needs.
Assemble A Shortlist
You shouldn’t just pick the first lawyer you talk to, (or one out of the phone book) but find a number of KC lawyers who specialize in accidents. Start asking around for referrals. If their experience wasn’t a good one, you’ll know who to avoid. Check online reviews to see what others are saying about them.
Another great source: talk to lawyers you’ve worked with previously on different things. For instance, if you recently started estate planning, or completed a real estate transaction, the lawyer you worked with may know a good Kansas City accident lawyer. Like many people, they like referring business to their colleagues, and even a divorce lawyer may have a friend who is an excellent accident lawyer. It never hurts to ask.
If you prefer not to ask anyone, online lawyer directories such as Enjuris, Nolo, Findlaw and Avvo have lists of lawyers available for nearly every specialty. The Missouri Bar Association also has a free lawyer referral service as well as free legal help for low-income residents about non-criminal legal matters. They also offer discounted and free pro bono listings for those who need an KC attorney but can’t afford one.
Research And Investigation
Once you have a list of names, you’ll need to do some due diligence. Fortunately, online research makes this a lot easier. While anyone can put their best foot forward on their own website, it’s another matter when you’re looking at reviews from former clients.
Of course, you’ll want to know the lawyer’s track record. How long have they been practicing, and how many cases have they handled? How many have they taken to trial? Have they ever been suspended from practicing?
The first place to look is their website—there, you’ll get an idea of what kind of Kansas City accident attorney (or law firm) they are, and what they can do for you. Most law firms publish useful information on their website to help you get a better idea of what you can expect and what you need.
Online reviews from previous clients and others who have met with the attorney are also useful. Was he or she rude, or helpful? Did they help them get a good result for their case, or lose the case? Google is your friend, and doing a quick search for each attorney will give you a good idea of whether to include them on your shortlist.
Don’t forget social media, particularly Facebook. Look at the attorney (or firm’s) Facebook page, check out the reviews, and see what others are saying.
You’ll also want to know if the Kansas City accident lawyer has been disciplined, or in any kind of trouble. Once again, the Missouri Bar is a great resource for reviewing a lawyer’s record, and you’ll be able to find out if he or she has any disciplinary issues before you consider them.
The Free Consultation Interview
Once you’ve narrowed down your shortlist, it’s time to pay visits to law offices.
Many lawyers offer free consultations, so use them to interview the attorney as well as let them tell you if they can help. They will, of course, ask you some questions, but it’s up to you to ask some yourself to determine if they will be a good “fit” for you, and if both of you are on the same page.
Understand that you may also be turned down by some attorneys, depending on the specifics of your case, so it’s important to talk to several before making a decision.
Enjuris offers this free checklist of questions to ask every attorney you interview to help you ask the right questions and get the answers you need. Include questions about fee arrangements, points of contact, and other important topics.
Once you’ve decided on the right Kansas City accident lawyer, you’ll be ready to start pursuing your claim.
Kansas City’s Premier Accident Law Firm
Not sure who to talk to about your accident? Contact The Popham Law Firm. Call us at (816) 221-2288 today or use our contact form. We’ll schedule an appointment and talk with you about how we can help you.
