We recently described six signs you may be dealing with a bad Cleveland attorney.

Here, we flip the script to highlight five characteristics shared by the best Cleveland personal injury lawyers. You should insist that the attorney you hire to provide advice and representation as you pursue an insurance claim or civil lawsuit possesses each of these traits.

A great Cleveland personal injury attorney will …

Pick up the phone and respond to emails and texts

Personal injury cases can take more than a year to resolve, and each presents its own unique challenges. You need a lawyer who keeps you fully updated on developments and one who will respond promptly to requests for specific information. Uncertainly about details and the best way to respond, especially when insurance company representatives are applying pressure on you to give official statements and accept a quick settlement, just adds stress to your existing physical, mental, and emotional burden.

Answer your questions fully, honestly, and in terms you can understand

Accessibility will not suffice. You need a Cleveland personal injury attorney who gives you all the time and attention you need. Also, while your lawyer will need to use legal jargon from time to time, he or she should never drop a term like “tortfeasor” or “respondeat superior” without restating the concept in plain language.

Most important of all, you must trust your attorney. If you get a sense that an attorney is just telling you what they think you want to hear, the attorney is probably just telling you what they think you want to hear.

Have experience winning cases for people like you

A car crash is much different from medical malpractice and slip and fall cases are a whole other thing. Different laws and legal procedures apply. What insurers, judges, and jurors expect differs, as well. You want to hire a Cleveland personal injury lawyer who has a strong track record of successfully handling cases like yours because that experience will allow you to avoid errors and oversights that put you at a disadvantage.

Work only in your best interest

Legal ethics demand that your Cleveland personal injury attorney treats you as a priority. Your lawyer can never be involved in representing anyone on the other side of your case. Beyond that, your lawyer must do all they can within the law to achieve timely results without sacrificing any opportunities to maximize your settlement or court award.

Never hide fees or charge you more than you agreed to pay

Most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency basis. This means they only get paid if you receive a settlement or court award. Good attorneys clearly explain upfront what their contingency fee will be, and they honor that agreement. Likewise, attorneys who charge by the hour or take on cases for a flat fee should never change the terms of their contract with a client.

Let a Cleveland personal injury lawyer with Agee Clymer Mitchell & Portman go to work for you. Schedule a no-cost, no-pressure consultation by calling (800) 678-3318 or filling out this online contact form and sharing some of your story.