The wrongful death of a loved one is an unexpected tragedy that can leave your family with many questions about your rights and legal options. Your family may be owed justice, answers and financial compensation. Filing a wrongful death claim can be the best way to move forward.
You’re already dealing with enough as you grieve your family member. You do not have to take on a wrongful death claim alone. Use these tips to find the right Austin wrongful death attorney for you, who can prepare and manage your case effectively.
Ask for Referrals
Not all lawyers are created equally. It’s important to take your time finding the ideal attorney for your needs and specific wrongful death case. Start by asking around for recommendations. Ask your friends and family members if they have used any lawyers who practice wrongful death law that they can recommend.
If you already have an attorney for other reasons, such as estate planning, ask for a referral to a wrongful death lawyer near you.
Search Online
Next, take your search online. Keep your search terms simple, such as “wrongful death attorney near me” or “wrongful death lawyer Austin.” It’s important to search for local lawyers who actually practice in your state and city.
Local expertise is key for knowledge about municipal laws, connections to local experts and relationships with county courts. Browse the top results and look at their websites more closely.
Verify Wrongful Death Experience
When perusing a potential wrongful death lawyer’s website, start by verifying how long the attorney has been practicing this type of law. You want a team of lawyers with decades of combined legal experience specifically in your practice area.
A wrongful death claim is not like any other type of case. Find an attorney who has already handled and successfully resolved many wrongful death claims in Texas to ensure that he or she has the necessary experience, knowledge and skillset for your case.
Confirm Credentials and Reputation
Don’t waste your time considering a law firm that isn’t properly accredited. One of the first things you should do is to check an attorney’s standing with the Texas State Bar Association. The lawyer must be properly licensed and in good standing with the Association to represent you.
You can also look for special recognition and awards won by the law firm to get an idea of the legal team’s abilities and accomplishments. Accolades from reputable legal organizations such as Texas Super Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum can confirm the law firm’s capabilities and give you greater confidence.
Reputation within your local community is also an important trait in a wrongful death attorney. Community involvement shows compassion, humanitarianism and a commitment to the people of your city. You can rest assured that a lawyer who cares about the community will also care about your family, your deceased loved one’s story and your legal journey.
Check for Case Results
While no wrongful death attorney should guarantee your family a positive case result, the attorney you choose should be able to show you a track record of success in this practice area. Ask the attorney to look at notable wrongful death case results.
There should be a history of achieving successful settlements as well as litigating wrongful death cases in court in your county for maximum results. Trial capabilities are important to show an insurance company that you are prepared to take the case to court in pursuit of justice for your loved one.
Read Reviews and Testimonials
You can have greater peace of mind about the wrongful death lawyer you hire if there are verified client reviews and testimonials. Reading about past clients’ real-life experiences with the law firm can show you what to expect as a client.
Look for proof that the lawyer cares about his or her clients and goes the extra mile, such as excellent communication, authenticity and sensitivity to clients’ needs. Check third-party sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Yelp in addition to the attorney’s website for unbiased reviews.
Find Out About Fees
Don’t be afraid to ask a prospective wrongful death lawyer about costs. Your family should know upfront how much the attorney charges. This information shouldn’t be concealed or difficult to get from the lawyer.
Many wrongful death lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This is generally the best type of payment structure to look for, as it will protect you from any financial risk associated with pursuing your claim.
With contingency fees, the client pays the attorney $0 upfront. The attorney will only get paid if and when the case ends in financial compensation. If the case is successful, the attorney will charge his or her fee as a percentage of the settlement or judgment award. Your family won’t ever pay the lawyer out of pocket.
Get to Know the Attorney
Once you’ve done your research, schedule consultations (often free) with your top choices to get to know each Texas wrongful death attorney better. Contact the law firm you want to schedule your no-cost case evaluation. The meeting may be done over the phone, through video conferencing tools or in person.
During your consultation, ask the right questions to get to know the attorney better and help inform your decision:
- How long have you practiced wrongful death law?
- Who will actually be handling my case?
- What methods of communication do you use with clients?
- How often should I expect case updates?
- What is your law firm’s success rate?
- Can I see outcomes of cases similar to mine?
- How long do you think my case will take to resolve?
- Do you foresee any challenges associated with my case?
- Do you have the ability to go to trial with my case, if necessary?
- What are your legal fees?
The wrongful death attorney you hire should show good communication, give you honest and transparent advice, treat your family with respect, and make you feel comfortable. You should be able to talk openly with the attorney without feeling dismissed or ignored.
Trust your instincts. The right for you should be caring, compassionate and knowledgeable about wrongful death cases. The best wrongful death lawyer in Texas will give your family the confidence you need to handle the legal process ahead.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Austin personal injury lawyers at FVF Law today for a free, compassionate consultation. Call us at (512) 982-9328 or contact us online to speak with an experienced Austin wrongful death attorney.
