8 Factors to Consider When Choosing Wrongful Death Attorneys

Unintentional injury is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Many of these deaths are caused by the negligence of another party.

If your loved one was killed because of someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Choosing the right attorney can make or break your case.

Keep reading for 8 factors to consider when choosing wrongful death attorneys to give you the best chance of winning your case. 

1. Do They Have Experience With Your Type of Case?

The first thing you should look for when choosing a wrongful death attorney is someone who specializes in handling wrongful death cases.

It’s not enough to choose just any lawyer. The best lawyer for your case will be one who has dedicated their career to helping families affected by wrongful death.

It’s also important to note that there are many different types of wrongful death cases. You should choose an attorney with experience handling a case like yours.

Be sure to ask potential attorneys how long they have been practicing and how long they’ve been specializing in wrongful death cases. You should also ask specifically about their experience handling cases with similar circumstances to yours. 

2. How Are Their Reviews?

One of the best ways to find a wrongful death attorney is to ask friends and family for recommendations. You may find that friends, neighbors, coworkers, or even family members have worked with a wrongful death attorney in the past.

If you know any attorneys who practice a different type of law, don’t be afraid to ask if they can point you in the right direction.

It’s always a good idea to ask potential candidates for references from past cases. A good wrongful death attorney will be happy to provide references either by letting you speak with former clients who were happy with the service they received or by directing you to testimonials from past clients.

You can often find testimonials from happy clients on a law firm’s website. Search engines such as Google and Bing can also be great resources for finding reviews of wrongful death attorneys. 

3. What Is Their Track Record?

Once you’ve determined that a potential attorney has experience handling cases like yours, you need to evaluate their record of success.

You’ll want to find out how many cases like yours they have won over the years and how many they have lost. Be sure to take into account cases that were settled out of court.

While experience and expertise are important, you want to choose a lawyer who can win your case.

Be wary of wrongful death attorneys who seem to settle all of their cases out of court. You should feel confident that the attorney you choose will fight to the end to win your case.

Learning more about an attorney’s record will help you gain a better understanding of their capabilities. 

4. Do They Have Litigation Experience?

As we mentioned before, the best wrongful death attorney for your case will have a record of winning cases like yours. Often times, this involves taking cases to trial.

The last thing you want is an attorney who lacks experience litigating wrongful death cases, forcing you to settle out of court. Insurance companies take advantage of victim’s families by offering low ball settlements to make the case go away.

You need an attorney who will fight for the compensation your deserve, even if that means taking the case to court. Litigation experience is critical when it comes to winning wrongful death cases.

When evaluating potential attorneys, be sure to ask about their experience taking cases like yours to court. 

5. Do They Have a Solid Network?

Building a wrongful death case can be challenging and involves managing many moving parts. The best wrongful death attorneys know how to build a team of experts to get the job done.

You can learn more about the resources your attorney plans to use by asking them if they have a network of experts that they regularly work with. Testimony from these experts can be used as leverage during negotiations or evidence at your trial. 

6. How Much Are Their Fees?

Good wrongful death attorneys understand that cost should not prohibit victims of wrongful death from getting the compensation they deserve.

For this reason, most attorneys work on a contingency basis for this type of case. This means that you won’t pay any fees until and unless you receive your check.

Putting together the best possible case and filing a lawsuit usually requires some upfront cost. Your attorney should understand this and should front these costs for you.

Your attorney should be clear and transparent about what you will be responsible for depending on the outcome of your case. 

7. How Will Your Case Be Handled?

When interviewing potential attorneys, be sure to ask who your point of contact will be. You should gain a clear understanding of how your case will be handled and what you can expect throughout the process.

Will your attorney be available for questions? How will you receive updates?

You should feel comfortable with your attorney’s plan for your case. 

8. How Do They Make You Feel?

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a wrongful death attorney is how they make you feel. A good attorney will make it clear that they care about you as a person and have a genuine interest in getting justice for your loved one.

The best attorney for your case will take the time to answer all of your questions and ensure that you feel comfortable trusting them with your case.

Never be afraid to keep looking if you don’t feel a personal connection with a wrongful death attorney. Trust and communication are essential for getting the best results. 

Learn More About Our Team of Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced and trustworthy wrongful death attorney on your side. The attorney you choose can make or break your wrongful death case.

We are a team of skilled wrongful death attorneys ready to take on your case. Click here to learn more about how we can help you get justice for your loved one.