When you’ve been injured because of someone’s negligence, you want compensation as soon as possible. That’s understandable, but don’t rush into choosing a lawyer who isn’t right for you. Your choice of injury attorney can make or break your case, so it’s an incredibly important decision.
Here’s how to pick the right lawyer when looking for legal help for injury cases.
Questions To Ask When Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer
Choosing an attorney for your car accident or slip-and-fall case is a lot like interviewing someone for a job. You’re hiring them, after all, so you want the biggest bang for your buck. Below, learn about the role of a personal injury lawyer and find questions to guide you when hunting for the right attorney.
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Have They Handled Cases Similar to Yours?
If you slipped in a spill at the grocery store, you wouldn’t hire an attorney who largely handles construction accidents. They may have a law degree, but they wouldn’t know the first thing about how to build a winning case for you.
When interviewing lawyers, ask what types of cases make up the bulk of their work. If you talk about your case and the lawyer says, “I had a case exactly like that last month,” that’s a good sign.
How Many Years Have They Practiced Law?
When it comes to lawyers, the more experienced, the better. Ideally, pick a lawyer who has practiced law for at least five years.
That’s not to say that newbie lawyers are always a bad pick. They tend to be eager to score a win and prove themselves in the industry, which means they might put in a strong effort for your case.
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What Outcomes Have They Achieved for Past Clients?
Reputable personal injury lawyers will happily talk about the outcomes they’ve achieved for clients. A good injury attorney should be able to back up their claims with hard numbers, such as “I won a $25,000 settlement for this client.”
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Do They Have Positive Client Testimonials?
You can learn plenty about a lawyer before meeting them just by looking at their client testimonials. Search a lawyer’s name or the name of their law firm on Google, and you’re likely to find at least a handful of reviews. Justia and Avvo are good places to look for reviews, too.
Do They Come Recommended by People You Trust?
Friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers can often provide recommendations for reputable local attorneys. Simply announce that you’re looking for a lawyer, and you’ll likely have a handful of suggestions in no time.
If the people you know and trust had a good experience with an attorney, chances are that you will, too.
What Do Other Legal Professionals Say About Them?
If you really want to know whether a lawyer is worth their salt, check out the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating directory. Here, lawyers can rate their peers on factors such as trustworthiness, ethics, and legal knowledge.
Ratings range from AV Preeminent to Notable, with AV Preeminent being the highest honor a lawyer can achieve. If your lawyer has this ranking, you can rest easy knowing that they’re a good choice.
Do They Have Trial Experience?
Your case probably won’t go to trial — just 1% to 5% of personal injury cases do. Still, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared by hiring an injury attorney with plenty of trial experience under their belt.
Look for a lawyer who says they’re confident discussing your case in front of a judge and jury. Ask them how they handle every part of the process, including filing your formal complaint, discovery, mediation, and jury selection.
Do They Offer a Free Initial Consultation?
Many personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations, which makes it easy to shop around for the right one. Initial consultations are about 20 to 30 minutes long. That gives you plenty of time to ask questions and decide if the lawyer is a good fit.
What Are Their Fees?
Personal injury lawyers usually work on contingency, meaning you don’t owe anything until (and unless) the lawyer wins your case. Contingency fees can vary widely depending on case type, attorney experience, and state. Expect to pay anywhere from 33% to 50% of your settlement.
What Are Their Client-Attorney Communication Preferences?
How often do you want your lawyer to provide updates on your case? Should they ideally call you every few days, or only reach out when something important happens? Some lawyers like their clients to be very involved in the process, while others don’t.
Ask the lawyer how they’ll communicate with you, too. If they prefer in-person meetings and you’re too busy for that, you might be better off with a lawyer who largely communicates via email, phone, and texts.
How Aggressively Will They Negotiate?
It’s important to ask this question because the insurance company will probably offer you a lowball settlement at first. You don’t want a lawyer who will pressure you to accept a low settlement so they can move on to the next case.
Your lawyer should be willing to negotiate aggressively until they achieve an offer you’re satisfied with. If the lawyer you’re interviewing seems like they’ll be a pushover, tread carefully.
Are They Likable?
Last but not least, do you like the lawyer you’re interviewing? This question may seem superficial, but you may be working with this lawyer for a long time, so it’s an important one to answer.
When chatting with a lawyer, ask yourself:
- Does their personality mesh well with yours?
- Are they friendly yet professional?
- Do they show empathy and know how to listen without interrupting?
If you have a good gut feeling about the lawyer after meeting with them, they’re probably a solid choice.
Let Accident Hotline Help You Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re hunting for the right personal injury attorney, Accident Hotline is here to help. We can connect you with an experienced local attorney who can answer questions about legal deadlines for injury claims, how negligence affects your case, and more.
For a free consultation, call us 24/7 at (888) 340-7454.
For a free consultation, call 888-340-7454
