As a law student, I tend to get random questions from friends and I would have to help them research a lawyer that can suit their needs. You can now book with a lawyer at:
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Some tips that I found particularly helpful for some of my friends include:
1) Make sure that you take a look at their costs agreement re: no win, no fee. Some lawyers word their costs agreement differently and may not include certain things in their no fee clauses such as medical assessment costs. This should be a potential red flag because if the lawyer starts to throw you into medical assessments to strengthen your case and the results come out negative, you may be tagged with those costs.
2) Definitely listen to everyone's advice and try to get an accredited specialist in personal injury. I recognize that almost every personal injury firm in Queensland totes that same credential, but another good way to cut down the list is to see if the lawyer you are looking to hire has also legal experience in insurance defence (representing the insurance company against claims such as yours.) For me and my friends, a person who has experience in both sides of the field seems more aggressive in their negotiations since they already know some of the industry 'secrets' such as how insurance companies set aside reserves, how they value a claim, etc.
3) Bigger isn't always better. My friends always assume the best route to take is to go to the large firms. This isn't always the best consideration to make though because larger firms also tend to have larger overhead costs. If the firm is also a public traded company with shareholders, then this also becomes an issue because now they have an extra bias (settling your claim for profit to make the shareholders happy vs really fighting for you.) This last point is more of a personal opinion. Also, depending on the nature of your injuries, you may just have your file dumped on a junior lawyer and may not really receive that "expertise" that those firms advertise.
4) For the initial consultation, consider having the lawyer meet you in your home. Not all lawyers will do this (unless you are too injured to go) but maybe try. I know a couple of friends who really get intimidated by the big office and the pressure to sign on a retainer is a lot stronger when you are in the middle of their office in their empty meeting room at a large table while they watch you intently. For some people, being in an area they are comfortable with helps them think better and make more informed decisions.
5) The personal touch matters. Another reason why I am not a fan of huge firms (I used to work in one) is because your file is often worked on by teams, which means separate billing rates and it kind of kills the whole interpersonal relationship between client and solicitor. A firm that keeps your file to the same lawyer in my opinion just gives that extra touch that I think really matters. My friends are in a VERY vulnerable situation, especially if they can't work because of the injury. So something as small as having a lawyer who knows them on a personal level can go a very long way since that's the same person they'll be speaking with as the claim progresses (which can easily take over a year depending on your injuries.)
I hope this helps you out.
Good luck in your search. God bless.
