How Do I Choose A Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Posted in Wrongful death on May 24, 2021
Losing somebody that you love can be devastating. This is certainly the case if the loss of life occurred due to the careless or negligent actions of another individual, business, or entity. In these situations, it may be possible for family members or the estate of the deceased to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. Unfortunately, wrongful death lawsuits are incredibly difficult to proceed forward with, and it is crucial to have an attorney by your side in these situations. A wrongful death lawyer in Nashville can assist family members and the estate of the deceased through this entire process. Here, we want to discuss how to choose the right wrongful death attorney to handle your case.
The Attorney’s Background
You can ask your friends and family members whether or not they know any attorneys experienced with wrongful death cases. However, your search may begin online through Google or another search engine. It is important to find an attorney in your area so you do not have to go too far away for consultations or during the case. There are certain factors that you need to look at when you are considering a wrongful death lawyer. This includes the following:
- How long they have practiced personal injury/wrongful death law
- How many major wrongful death cases they have handled
- Their overall track record of settlements and jury verdicts
- How many cases they settle versus how many they go to trial with
- How frequently they handle cases just like yours
- Whether they are a member of any bar associations or professional organizations
Asking the Right Questions
The vast majority of wrongful death attorneys in Tennessee will offer free initial consultations. After you have gone over the details of your case during this initial consultation, you will want to ask the attorney directly what they think about your case. Some of the questions that you can ask include the following:
- What is your assessment of my case?
- What type of financial settlement do you expect I could recover?
- What works in favor and what works against me in my case?
- Do you think this case will be resolved by a settlement or through a trial?
- How long do you expect the case to take?
Verifying the Experience
As you are looking to verify the experience of your attorney, you can first look at the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility to check a directory to find any licensed attorney in Tennessee. When you conduct an Internet search about an attorney you are thinking of using, look for any positive (or negative) stories that may pop up. You should avoid relying solely on the attorney’s website for information.
Ensuring Open Communication
One of the hallmarks of a successful wrongful death case is having an attorney who will be open with you and your family throughout the entire process. A wrongful death lawyer in Tennessee needs to be good at communicating effectively. They should keep you in the loop throughout the entire wrongful death lawsuit. A good attorney will listen to your concerns and help allay your fears. They will answer your questions to the best of their ability.
Tamp Down Your Initial Expectations
If you have lost somebody that you love, then we know you want results quickly. Unfortunately, there is usually no such thing as a quick wrongful death claim process. Regardless of how good your prospective attorney is, there is no way for them to know a particular timeline for your case upfront. Do not trust any attorney who is certain that your case will be over with quickly. You want your attorney to be truthful with you because an honest attorney is going to have a much better chance of bringing your case to a successful conclusion.