It happens. You get in a sticky situation, and you think to yourself, "I think I need to hire a lawyer". When you have never worked with a lawyer before, finding the right person can be daunting. Here are some steps you can take to figure out who to hire.

Gather the Details of Your Claim

When you first speak with a lawyer, they are going to ask you detailed questions about your claim. So, have any evidence or facts that you can gather ready before you jump on the phone. Things like what happened from your perspective, the contact information of anyone involved, the names of witnesses, and the amount of potential damages are things that a lawyer will ask you on a first consultation. 

Search for a Law Office

Starting out, you might be best served with a general law office consulting firm who can direct you to the appropriate specialist for your case. A general firm is a good idea if you aren't sure what type of claim you will put together. For example, will you be suing a business directly or starting a class action suit. Is your case going to be more successful as a personal injury claim or a medical malpractice suit? A general law office will help you figure that out. 

Evaluate the Claim

A law office consulting firm will speak with you and help you decide whether to proceed with your claim, based on the potential amount of money recovered in a law suit. You may not yet know how much money your case is worth if you are injured. If a lawyer decides to take your case, they can help you set up medical liens that will give you the medical care you need; the repayment will come out of a settlement. You'll need to discuss payment too; some types of lawyers take payment upfront or at an hourly rate, while others work on contingency. 

Find the Appropriate Specialist

If you decide to proceed, this is when you will be set up with a lawyer who handles cases in your particular area of law. This will be your go-to person, although they may work with a team of other lawyers in their office. 

Follow Up

Ask your lawyer about what you need to do to be successful. Different firms require different levels of participation from you, although you will need to keep an open line of communication for the duration of your case.