Selecting a competent personal injury lawyer is a critical choice but a challenging process. However, you can take proactive steps by asking the right questions and performing due diligence.
Tips for Finding the Best Personal Injury Attorney
Whether you got hurt because of a car accident, product defect, medical malpractice, or sexual assault, it can be an overwhelming task to find the right personal injury lawyer. Nevertheless, you can find the right attorney for your case if you follow these tips.
1. Search for Lawyers on the Internet
You can use the internet to get an overview of the existing law firms in your city, town, or state. In addition, many legal practices have websites summarizing their legal services, the types of cases they specialize in, and who belongs to their legal team.
You can also form a general idea of attorneys’ reputations through rating websites featuring peer reviews from their fellow lawyers and competitors in the legal industry.
2. Ask Your Social Circle for Recommendations
Ask for referrals from your relatives and colleagues who have previously required the services of a personal injury lawyer. A clear account of their first-hand experiences related to their personal injury claim will enlighten you on how skilled the attorneys are and how helpful they were to their clients as they handled the case.
3. Prioritize What Matters to You
There may be plenty of good lawyers available in your area, but the one who can meet your unique legal needs will depend on the factors you prioritize. Here are factors you need to consider:
- The type of injury you sustained
- The kind of personal injury the lawyer specializes in
- How many years of experience the attorney has
- How many similar cases the lawyer has previously handled
- How big or small the law firm is
- The professional qualifications of the lawyer
- Whether the attorney is currently available to take on your case or not
- The track record of the lawyer
- The legal payment arrangements
4. Look for Attorneys That Specialize
Although many factors will play a role in your decision, the most essential is what kind of injury you sustained. Narrow your search to law firms specializing in such personal injury cases.
While some attorneys are adept at handling traumatic brain injury, others focus more on sexual assault cases. Likewise, some lawyers specialize in medical malpractice claims, while others concentrate more on slip and fall accidents.
5. Evaluate Professional Qualifications
Real-world expertise is a significant advantage for attorneys, yet the foundation of their career is their education and credentials. Therefore, you must hire a lawyer who has completed and passed the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), studied law at a school accredited by the American Bar Association, and has passed the state bar exam. You should also confirm that the attorney has board certification in personal injury litigation.
6. Check the Lawyer’s Availability
Competent lawyers, especially those who have gained popularity because of winning high-profile or complex cases, are usually in demand. Even if you find a prospect who fits the mold of your ideal attorney, you have to find out if the attorney is available to take your case before stopping your search.
7. Schedule an Initial Consultation With Lawyers
Contact the lawyers on your shortlist to schedule a consultation, if available. The lawyer will ask you to overview your case and share information about your injury. They may also ask you to provide supporting evidence and documents for analysis.
Keep in mind that this process is a two-way street. The attorney can decide to take on your personal injury case or not, based on the assessment of the likelihood of the potential success of your case. You can also choose whether or not to hire this lawyer depending on their capacity to meet your legal needs.
5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, ask these five key questions to determine if the attorney is a good match for your case:
1. Does the Lawyer Have a Track Record of Success?
While a lawyer’s credentials are consequential, their track record will prove their ability to apply their legal knowledge in actual personal injury claims. Pick a lawyer with a high success rate and favorable settlements in cases similar to yours.
2. What Percentage Does the Personal Injury Lawyer Usually Take?
Some legal professionals receive payment for personal injury cases based on contingency fees. Other legal professionals do not require an upfront fee, but they reserve the right to claim a portion of your claim once you receive it.
Clarify payment matters from the start by confirming what percentage the attorney typically requires. Ensure that the personal injury lawyer you are interested in hiring offers the kind of payment arrangement that is preferable to you.
3. How Many Years of Experience Does the Attorney Have With Personal Injury Cases?
The length and depth of experience that a lawyer has with personal injury claims can significantly impact the final results of your case. A seasoned attorney better understands the nuances of personal injury matters and how the legal system works concerning these cases.
A veteran lawyer will also have more resources at their disposal, like relationships with doctors or other professionals that can offer testimonies to help strengthen your case.
4. Does the Lawyer Have Trial Experience?
Not all personal injury attorneys regularly try cases in court. That’s why you need to verify if a lawyer has jury trial experience and how extensive this experience is. A lawyer adept at court lawsuits can make a difference in the insurance company’s settlement offer. The insurance company is more likely to offer you a better amount if they know the lawyer representing you is willing and prepared to go to court.
5. Does the Attorney Belong to a Legal Organization That Represents Personal Injury Victims?
A clear sign of a lawyer’s dedication to the representation of injured persons is membership in one or more national and state organizations that focus on personal injury victims such as The National Crime Victim Bar Association or The American Association for Justice. Aside from organizing lobbying activities to promote consumer rights, such associations usually initiate or sponsor legal education programs and law publications.
Next Steps
A personal injury can negatively impact various aspects of your life. You must stand firm and pursue the financial compensation that is rightfully yours. You need the legal assistance of a personal injury lawyer with trial experience to get a fair settlement offer or to win your personal injury case.
Feel to reach out to us at (213) 252-1070 or visit our website to schedule your free consultation — we’d be happy to help.