Imagine driving down a street in Vegas only to get T-boned by a drunk driver. You might even picture yourself picking up the essentials in a grocery store, only to slip, fall, and feel a sharp, shooting pain in your back.
In both these scenarios, negligence is likely the reason for your injuries. This means that you also need to get a lawyer on top of trying to recover and take care of medical bills.
But how do you choose the right lawyer? You can read all the reviews and get all the recommendations, but how do you know which lawyer is right for your case?
The answer is you don’t, but you can use a free consultation to find out. Even better, you can have a free consultation with multiple lawyers in Las Vegas. This will help you better decide who should be heading your legal case.
What Is a Free Legal Consultation?
A free legal consultation is essentially a meeting with a lawyer. You do not have to pay for it; it usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
The point of such a consultation is for a lawyer to get to know you and learn more about your legal issue. It is an opportunity to determine whether you can work with a specific lawyer and whether they have the expertise to handle your case.
During a free consultation, you will learn more about a lawyer’s approach to legal cases. You will also learn about their experience and expertise. You can also ask a lawyer about the most likely outcome for your case and whether it is worth pursuing compensation.
A free consultation is not a thorough assessment of your case. It is a starting point to see if hiring a specific lawyer makes sense.
Why Consult Multiple Lawyers
As mentioned above, you can schedule multiple free consultations with different lawyers. There are several benefits to doing this.
- You can compare lawyers’ expertise. Not all lawyers specialize in the same types of cases. Every lawyer you meet will have a different level of experience and specialize in a different legal area.
So, if you want to file a personal injury case, scheduling consultations only with personal injury lawyers makes sense. By meeting several lawyers, you can evaluate each one’s expertise and decide which is best for your case.
- Getting more than one perspective. Different lawyers will also look at your case from different angles. This means you get several different perspectives, which can also help clarify potential outcomes.
For instance, one lawyer may point out inevitable challenges you may experience when filing a personal injury case. Another one might have completely different strategies other lawyers have not mentioned.
It is always a good idea to have varying viewpoints. It will help you understand your options better and choose the best lawyer for your case.
- Note different communication styles. How a lawyer communicates with you is incredibly important. Lawyers and clients must be on the same side. This can only happen if they are on the same page. When you communicate well with your lawyer, you will stay on the same page as your legal case progresses.
When you meet with each lawyer, pay attention to how they speak and listen to you. Are they really listening to what you are saying? Are they patient when explaining legal definitions you do not understand? Are they willing to answer all your questions?
Is the lawyer rushing through the meeting to get to the next client? Do they use legal jargon and not explain it to you? Meeting multiple lawyers will show you the difference between a patient and an impatient lawyer. It will also show you which lawyer communicates best in a way you can understand.
- Look for transparency and professionalism. It is crucial to ask about fees and potential costs. A transparent, professional lawyer will give you all the details upfront. They will explain whether they work on contingency fees or hourly rates. They will also advise whether other costs may come into effect.
The last thing you want is a lawyer who is not upfront about their fees. This may lead to a nasty surprise after your case is resolved.
- Watch out for red flags. Unfortunately, not all lawyers are honest and upfront. While you meet with different lawyers, watch out for obvious red flags. These include making a lot of lofty promises, even though the lawyer does not have much experience with cases like yours.
If your lawyer seems unprofessional, they probably are. This is not the type of person you want to represent you. If you notice any red flags, move on to your next consultation.
Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Case
When you have met several lawyers, you will have enough information to help you choose the right one. When you make that decision, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the lawyer have enough experience in handling cases like mine?
- Am I comfortable with the lawyer? Can I easily approach them, and is it easy to talk to them?
- Is the lawyer available (within reason) when I need to talk to them? If they are unavailable when I call, do they come back to me quickly to answer my questions?
- Does the lawyer’s fees fit my budget? Can I afford to pay an hourly fee? If the lawyer works on contingency fees, will my projected compensation payout cover these fees?
- Does the lawyer have a good reputation online and among other lawyers?
Do Not Let the Myths Get You Down
There are a lot of myths about free legal consultations. For instance, many believe they are sales pitches and a waste of time. Others may feel like all lawyers say the same thing just to get you to hire them.
This is not true. Free consultations are meant to help you choose a lawyer who can help you. Good and honest lawyers will advise you on whether they can or cannot assist with your case.
You are also not obligated to hire a lawyer after a free consultation, hence the multiple meetings.
The time you invest in meeting with different lawyers will always be well spent. It is the best chance to ensure you entrust your case to the right lawyer.
