Hunting for an injury lawyer in Iowa? Avoid these mistakes

Whether you were hurt because of a defective product or a car crash, Iowa personal injury laws are there to protect you. While nothing can undo the pain & suffering you have endured, you can file a lawsuit and hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions. Here’s the catch – You have to do so within two years in most circumstances, according to Iowa’s statute of limitations. There is no time to waste, and you have to swing into action and start the insurance claims process if that’s applicable. At this point, you should be looking for an iowa personal injury lawyer, and here’s a list of hiring mistakes to avoid. 

Missing out on the lawyer’s background

You need to be a step ahead and check the lawyer’s experience, track record, and overall education. Remember, you want someone specializing in personal injury law. Also, you should check whether there have been disciplinary actions so far. 

Just relying on ads

While all law firms in Iowa spend significantly on advertising, that shouldn’t be your only criterion for choosing an attorney. Yes, ads on Google and other places may come in handy to shortlist a few options but don’t rely on that alone. Instead, check if the attorney has positive reviews. Look out for complaints and bad ratings, too. 

Not checking expertise in similar cases 

Personal injury law is a vast field, which comprises a wide range of cases. Examples include medical malpractice, product defect-related injuries, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, and beyond. The approach and work involved in a nursing home abuse case would be largely different than that of an auto accident case. Find someone who has worked on similar cases and has represented clients in the same circumstances. 

Hiring an attorney who is unavailable

More often than not, clients are too eager to hire the top attorney, and eventually, they end up hiring someone who is always too busy. Big lawyers often are caught up and assign cases to junior attorneys. Before you consider an attorney, ask them specifically if they are personally going to devote the required attention and time. 

Not discussing the fees

The good news is injury lawyers don’t take the typical hourly rate. You don’t have to pay a hefty fee to retain the attorney. Instead, the attorney is interested in your compensation. They will get a share of that, provided you recover money. Don’t be tempted by the arrangement. Ensure you know the contingency fee structure, and if there are additional costs that you must recover, ask the attorney in advance. 

Ignoring the communication factor

How did you feel when meeting the attorney? Were they interested in listening to your case? Did they make an effort to answer your questions? Were they proactive about educating you about Iowa personal injury laws? Don’t settle for someone who is too arrogant or doesn’t communicate with you properly. The first meeting, which is usually free, is a great place to start your research. 

Not looking for red flags

Understandably, you are stressed and want to hire an attorney soon. However, watch out for a few common red flags. No lawyer should ever force you to sign up quickly or promise an outcome that sounds too good to be true. Also, stay away from attorneys who are okay with lying or compromising on essential ethics to inflate the claim or seek higher compensation. 

You don’t want someone settled in a different city or state to handle your injury lawsuit in Iowa. Find a local lawyer and meet them in person before you decide to get them on board.