There are many good lawyers in New York, but not all of them may be right for you and your needs.
If you search best lawyers in New York” through any search engine, the results may bring up many different well-known lawyers, but only you can decide who is best for you.
Finding the right lawyer depends on the type and nature of your case, as well as extra support you may need or personal preferences for communication styles.
While many people may not think that having a lawyer is necessary, a good lawyer can make a difference to any case you file.
Whether or not you are looking to hire a lawyer, it is important that you learn about a lawyer’s role in processing your case, how they can support you, and how you can identify a good” lawyer according to your needs.
The Different Types of Injury and Accident Lawyers: Looking for a Lawyer by Type of Case
The first step in finding the right lawyer for you is by looking for those that have experience with the type of case you want to file. Lawyers can go into many different practices after law school, each of which has an extensive subset of categories.
At Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C., we deal with injury and accident cases and have lawyers that specialize in specific types of cases pertaining to injuries and accidents.
Injury and accident cases come in all different variations. The following is an overview of the main types of cases that injury and accident lawyers specialize in.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Auto and motor vehicle accidents are responsible for more than 2,000 fatalities a year in New York and even more hospitalizations and injuries. They are one of the leading causes of injury in the state and city.
Motor vehicle accidents differ in the types of injuries and damages they cause, as well as the types of vehicles that are involved. Some accidents may leave victims with just a few scratches, while others can lead to permanent disability or death.
If you are looking to file a case after an auto accident, you should find a lawyer specializing in auto accidents to support you. Some lawyers also specialize in specific types of accidents, such as those that involve trucks or motorcycles.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are another very common cause of injury in New York, with an unlimited number of circumstances that may lead to their occurrence.
Most of these incidents occur when an individual slips on ice or a wet floor, or due to unsafe conditions on a worksite or a private property.
Depending on the fall or slip, some may cause mild bruising, while others can cause broken bones or death if they occur from a high level.
Lawyers who deal with slips and falls may specialize in certain cases, such as those that occurred on a construction site or more general ones that pertain to personal injury.
Construction Accidents
In New York, the construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries, accounting for 26 percent of all worker deaths in the state.
Because construction accidents occur so regularly, it has its separate category of lawyer specialization.
Construction accidents vary in nature; they include falls, burns, equipment malfunctions, and being struck by objects or getting trapped beneath collapsed structures. The injuries can be highly detrimental to victims.
If you have been in a construction accident, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer. This is because not only do these cases deal with personal injury, but they may also deal with workers’ compensation and claims against employers.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death occurs when an individual’s death is caused by the direct actions of another individual or responsible party. A family member of the deceased typically files wrongful death cases.
They aim to investigate the circumstances of the individual’s death and compensate the family for wrongdoing and funeral costs.
Because wrongful death cases can be hard to support, a lawyer is necessary to properly secure all the evidence needed to proceed with a claim. A family who has just lost a loved one is better off letting a good lawyer deal with the legalities while they properly mourn and take care of themselves.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than 250,000 deaths a year.
The most common causes of injury from medical malpractice include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or prescription of wrong or harmful medications.
Because many parties are involved in an individual’s medical treatment, including doctors, pharmacists, surgeons, and hospital officials, it can be difficult to prove liability for an injury. Fortunately, a lawyer specializing in medical malpractice is familiar enough with the system to help you navigate filing a claim or lawsuit.
Workers’ Compensation
If you are injured on the job, you are entitled to Workers’ Compensation insurance provided by your employer.
While many people file for worker’s compensation on their own, such claims can be challenging to navigate, mainly because most often than not, employers try to dissuade their workers from filing. They can be especially difficult depending on the severity of your injuries.
A workers’ compensation lawyer knows exactly how to file a claim and make sure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Product Liability
Product liability cases involve filing a claim or lawsuit against a manufacturer or distributor of a product that leads to harm or injury to those who used it. It may also involve cases in which a product does not work as advertised or makes false claims of effectiveness.
Because these cases are usually filed against large companies with extensive legal teams, finding a competent product liability lawyer is key in ensuring that you have the necessary legal support to help you win a case or receive compensation.
Personal Injury and Other Injuries
Because of the many types of injuries that you may be subject to as a result of another party’s actions, some lawyers specialize in personal injuries as a whole or in more specific but less common injuries.
Some more injuries and situations not listed above include:
- Traumatic brain injury caused by different types of accidents.
- Police misconduct, which can involve civil cases.
- Premises liability, which involves unsafe conditions on worksites or properties.
No matter what type of claim you are looking to file or what type of accident you were a victim of, there is sure to be a lawyer who has experience with the case at hand.
The Job of a Lawyer and How They Can Support You
Before you decide on a lawyer for your case, you must understand what a lawyer’s job entails and what their role is in supporting you through legal processes.
Many people file cases and claims for injuries and accidents on their own. While this is an option for anyone who has been a victim of an injury or accident, it is not ideal. Remember, a lawyer should make you feel supported throughout your legal processes.
Access to Resources
As aforementioned, lawyers have resources that you may not have access to. They can consult with other people involved in the case, request access to documents and information about the events that occurred, as well conduct research or investigations to determine causes and liability.
Depending on the lawyer you hire or the law firm you use, you may also have a team of people working on your case.
When looking for a lawyer, ask about previous cases and the methods they used to further the case. If you suspect that the lawyer does not use all the resources they have or investigate cases to their fullest extent, they might not be the best lawyer for you.
Experience and Familiarity
A lawyer that specializes in the case you are filing is familiar with the case and its proceedings.
Chances are, it is the first time you are dealing with the case at hand. A lawyer has probably dealt with the same type of case several times and knows all the details.
When looking for a lawyer, try to find one that has a lot of experience dealing with similar cases and previous successes in doing so.
A lawyer that does not specialize in your type of case or does not have experience dealing with it may not be a good lawyer for you.
Legal Knowledge
Unless you are a lawyer yourself, you may not have the skills or knowledge necessary to file a case or a claim and get the best results.
The biggest requirement for a lawyer is having legal knowledge of case proceedings as well as rights that clients are entitled to. If a lawyer does not have the basic qualifications to practice law, they are probably not a good lawyer.
Because opposing parties do not want you to file a claim or win a case against them, they will not inform you of your rights or tell you what compensation you are eligible for. A lawyer helps you understand your rights as well as makes sure that opposing parties do not sell you short.
Concern for Your Case
Lawyers are supposed to prioritize and dedicate themselves to your case. Hiring a lawyer allows you to recover from an accident or injury without worrying about legalities.
A good lawyer is one that you can trust and rely on to work hard for your rights.
If you are not comfortable talking to or confiding in your lawyer, or if you sense that a lawyer is not working hard to further your case, you may want to consider a different lawyer.
How To Find the Best Lawyer for You
After you determine what you want in a lawyer and decide to hire one for your case, the next step is to look for one.
Because it can be hard to start your search, here are a few tips to help:
Search by Specialty
The simplest way to find a lawyer for you is to search through lawyers by specialty according to your case.
By doing this, you have already ticked off one box on the list of your needs and can now focus on other characteristics a lawyer has or can offer.
Ask People You Know
Because you want your lawyer to be someone you trust, it may be helpful to ask people you know about lawyers they have used or lawyers that have been effective for them.
This way, you can ask directly whether or not a lawyer was dedicated and supportive and consider other people’s experiences when choosing one.
Book a Consultation
Even if you are confident in the choice you have made for a lawyer, you should speak with your lawyer before you decide to hire them.
This allows you to gauge whether or not you are comfortable with the lawyer and ask any remaining questions you may have.
At Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C., we offer a free consultation for all potential clients looking to ask questions and learn more about finding a lawyer or the legal process.
We can help you find the best lawyer for you. While there is no one size fits all list of the best lawyers in New York, you can find the best one for you and your needs if you know what to look for.
Sources:
Personal Injury Law – Personal Injury Lawsuits – Find An Attorney | New York City Bar
