Because your case is important to you, we suggest you consider the following criteria/factors when you choose a personal injury lawyer:

REASON #1

Select an Attorney with a Focused Practice

Some lawyers and law firms try to do it all.  It is important to choose an attorney who focuses on certain areas of the law.  You need to find out how much of that attorney’s practice is in the area of personal injury for victims.

REASON #2

Select an Attorney with Trial Experience

Many lawyers claim to handle personal injury cases.  Just look at the ads in the yellow pages or on TV.  It is important to choose an attorney that has actual experience taking cases to trial.  Insurance companies know which lawyers will take a case to trial and which lawyers just want to settle a case fast.  Without an experienced trial lawyer on your side, it puts you and your case at a disadvantage.

REASON #3

Select an Attorney with a Track Record

Your personal injury case is important to you because it affects you and your family.  Your case is the opportunity for you to get fully compensated for your damages.  It is important to choose an attorney that has a record of accomplishment and can deliver a full and fair trial verdict or settlement.

REASON #4

Select an Attorney with the Necessary Resources

Many personal injury cases require serious investigation and are expensive to prepare.  Your attorney will need to devote not only time to your case but the resources to hire medical experts, accident reconstruction experts or vocational rehabilitation experts, if necessary.  The lawyer should have staff dedicated to your case.  It is important to choose an attorney that has the resources to fully prepare your case.

REASON #5

Select an Attorney that Represents only Accident Victims

Many law firms try to have it both ways.  They have some lawyers that represent accident victims and other lawyers representing insurance companies.  It is important to choose an attorney whose loyalty is easy to read – one that only represents accident victims.

REASON #6

Select an Attorney Who Receives Referrals From Other Attorneys and Satisfied Clients

Some lawyers get most of their cases from an out-of-state 1-800 number or a telephone book ad.  Find out the source of the attorney’s personal injury cases.  It is important to choose attorneys who receive most of their cases from referrals from other lawyers or satisfied clients because that is a reflection on the quality and skill of their representation.

REASON #7

Select an Attorney Who Will take Your Case on a Contingency Fee

Make sure the attorney will agree that you will not pay attorney’s fees unless you recover in your case.  It is important to choose an attorney who will believe in your case and agree to work for a contingency fee.

In a case with serious injuries, having an experienced New Hampshire personal injury lawyer representing you against the insurance company will help protect your claim and maximize your recovery of damages.

The impact of bullying continues to be hot topic in the media, with an increase in attention to the phenomenon of “cyber-bullying.”  Recently, a Rutgers University student committed suicide after he was the victim of a high-tech cyber-bullying incident.  His roommate surreptitiously procured a video of the student having sex with another male student, and then streamed the video online.  The bullying victim jumped from the George Washington Bridge after posting his intent to do so on his own Facebook page.

Such cyber-bullying incidents are becoming more and more common as our youth become ever more tied into electronic media and online social networking sites.  At least one study has suggested that more than 40 percent of kids in this country admit having been bullied on the internet, and 35 percent say they have received online threats.  Another study reported that more than 20% of the kids who had been on the receiving end of bullying strongly considered committing suicide, and as many as 19% actually made some kind of suicide attempt.  Nearly one third reported committing acts which could be considered bullying in nature.  Approximately 20% admitted committing acts of cyber-bullying.

With such startling numbers, it is clear that parents and schools must be vigilant to the warning signs that bullying, even via the internet, texting, or social networks like Twitter, is occurring.  New Hampshire’s revised bullying statute that went into effect on July 1, 2010, now contains a definition of “cyber-bullying,” and obligates school officials to be on the lookout for it, and to act when there is evidence that it is occurring.  Unfortunately, the law does not contain a private enforcement mechanism permitting parents to hold schools accountable in court when they fail to meet the obligations placed on them by the new Act.  Hopefully the legislature will reconsider this omission in the near future.  Parents who are concerned should let their voices be heard at the State House.