On a daily basis, I hear stories of how a solicitor has cocked up a case for various people, or how the solicitor they have had appointed knows nothing about motorcycles and, and, and!
Well, there is a way, and it doesn't take roacket science to determine early on whether they are likely to be up to the job or not, and all it takes initialy are a few simple questions.
Even if your solicitor has been appointed by your legal expenses insurer, these questions are still applicable. (In the main these questions relate to personal iinjury claims as they are the most specialised).
1. What associations do they belong to? They should at least be a member of the Association of Personal Injury lawyers (APIL), and in many cases they will be members of Headway, The Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS), The Law Society Personal Injury Panel, perhaps for the top 50 UK personal injury lawyers The Richard Grant Society (like my boss). There are other associations, but these are the main ones.
2. What do they know about motorcycles? You will be amazed how many will, profess to know all about bikes simply to get your business. So, if you are asked "What bike do you ride" say something like "CBR" If they then ask "Is that a Suzuki?" Walk away, but if they ask "Is that the 600, the 900 Fireblade or the Blackbird?" then you are well on your way.
3. What is the biggest settlement of a claim where circumstances were of a similar nature? This may give you an indication as to whether they feel you have a good case.
4. How many tiimes have they taken a case to trial? 99% of cases settle without going to trial, but you want someone who is relatively experienced in standing up before a judge and representing you, and someone who will fight your corner.
5. Do they use accident reconstruction experts? Someone like my firm have me on call to respond immidiately to any motorcycle accident where not only can I give an early indication of what I think the chances of success are, I also take the statements and prepare many of the reports because I talk the language. Many firms use chartered or civil engineers as their AI expert, great when it comes to crunching numbers, but don't know the first thing about motorcycles or driving/riding in general.
If you can, pay the firm a visit and see what sort of premises they work from? Are they a small two man operation with files strewn all over the floor and bursting at the seams, or do they work from decent premises with a good backup and support staff. It can make all the difference.
And finally, remember that under the legal expenses insurance, the insurer decides who the case will be passed to. You have no say until such time as you become disatisfied, cock up or it goes to trial. In many cases LEI appoint general practitioners, someone who is on the panel for that insurer, and it is not inconcievable that you could have a divorce lawyer handling your personal injury claim. Not good, hence the questions above, so at least you can bail out before it gets to far down the line.
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How to ensure you have the right solicitors!
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