How to Choose an Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer

There are many lawyers and paralegals in Ontario who try to lure injured car accident victims with flashy ads, dreamy promises and ridiculous guarantees. Unfortunately, quality personal injury lawyers are few and far between. They do not make promises to lure you. They do not provide guarantees. Instead, they sit down with you and conduct a proper and thorough assessment of your case. They will tell you that they need medical documentation and expert opinion in order to properly evaluate the monetary value of your claim. They will tell you that your case may take several years to resolve. They will tell you that time needs to pass before your damages can be fully appreciated, assessed, and quantified. Most importantly, however, they will not pressure you into making a decision as to whether you should hire them to represent you. They will provide you with all of the relevant information you need in order to make an informed decision about hiring them, as well as about starting a lawsuit.

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is a very important decision. There are strict timelines you must adhere to, but this does not mean that you should simply open up the yellow pages and hire the firm with the biggest and flashiest ad. Unfortunately I see many car accident victims (several years down the road) who confess that this is exactly what they did and once they signed up they never heard from their lawyer. They do not know what is happening with their case and they are not consulted (as they should be) about the strategic and tactical decisions that arise frequently in personal injury lawsuits. This does not necessarily mean that every firm with a big ad is bad, but consider this: If the firm is that good, do they really need such a big ad in the yellow pages or a huge billboard?

If you’re looking to choose a personal injury lawyer in Ontario, look for these signs:

1. A lawyer who takes the time to listen carefully and ask detailed questions about you, your life, the accident, your injuries and your limitations.
2. A lawyer who explains what your rights are and what time limitations you must adhere to.
3. A lawyer who explains the process of your claim and what you could expect to happen over the course of your lawsuit.
4. A lawyer who consults you as your lawsuit progresses and explains the process of litigation.
5. A lawyer who tells you that it is not possible to immediately assess the value of your claim.
6. A lawyer who is on time for his appointment(s) with you.
7. A lawyer who returns your phone calls and emails.
8. A lawyer who has worked in the past for insurance companies. (This is helpful, but it is not a must. There are excellent personal injury lawyers who have never worked for insurance companies. However, those that have worked for insurance companies in the past may possess an advantage in understanding how insurers think and operate.)

What are the warning signs of a personal injury lawyer or firm that you should avoid?

1. A lawyer or firm that promises you money from the start.
2. A lawyer or firm that asks you for an upfront retainer (upfront money).
3. A lawyer or firm that does not take time to conduct a proper interview with you, and does not take the time to fully explain the process of litigation and what you should expect.
4. A lawyer or firm that is not on time and who does not return your calls and emails.

The above lists are not exhaustive. When you choose a personal injury lawyer, take your time and make sure that you speak to several lawyers before making a decision on who to hire. Beware of inflated promises and outlandish guarantees. Beware of being pressured to make a decision on the spot. Above all, go with your “gut instinct” and make sure that the lawyer you choose is right for you and that you “connect” with them. Otherwise, I guarantee that you will regret it down the road.