Navigating the legal system after filing a personal injury claim can be complex. Selecting the wrong lawyer can waste your time, charge you unnecessary fees, and even jeopardize the success of your personal injury case—so it’s essential to get a personal injury attorney with the right expertise and a proven track record in prioritizing clients’ best interests. To help you make an informed decision, here’s everything you should do to make sure you’re hiring the best personal injury lawyer for your circumstances.
Consider Your Needs
Different types of personal injury lawyers have different areas of expertise, so understanding what personal injury lawyers do and what you need from them will be the first step to weighing which attorney to hire.
For example, if you’ve been in a car accident, choose a lawyer specializing in traffic accidents. If your case involves complex medical issues, choose one familiar with healthcare laws. Aligning your representative’s practice area with your needs can increase the chances of a successful personal injury settlement.
Prioritize Experience
Before retaining a personal injury lawyer, ask if they’ve handled cases similar to yours—whether it’s a car accident, slip-and-fall, or workplace injury. You want them to have ample practice representing clients in cases like yours to ensure the person you hire has a deep understanding of the unique challenges in personal injury law.
An experienced lawyer will know how to navigate legal complexities, gather the right evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and write an effective personal injury demand letter. Though they’ll probably cost more, it’s worth hiring a personal injury attorney with more expertise to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Check Their Reputation & Reviews
Reputation is often a reflection of a lawyer’s commitment to their clients, so learning from others’ experiences will make you more confident in your hiring choice. Start by reading online reviews, testimonials, and ratings on platforms like Google, Yelp, or legal-specific sites like Avvo, Justia, or Martindale-Hubbell. Focus on comments that speak to the attorney’s competence, skill, and communication. Note patterns, and take negative reviews with a grain of salt.
If possible, ask friends or family who have worked with accident and injury lawyers near you for recommendations or insights, whether they’re positive or negative. It’s also important to verify that the lawyer has faced no serious disciplinary actions or complaints by checking with your state’s bar association.
Assess Their Track Record
While many personal injury claims are settled out of court, some do go to trial, so you’ll want a lawyer with a strong track record in litigation. Ask how often they settle cases and whether they’re willing to take your case to trial, as this will give you a clearer picture of what to expect of the process, timeline, and outcome.
A proven history of success through settlements or trial verdicts demonstrates the lawyer’s ability to navigate personal injury law. Inquire about their success rates with cases similar to yours. While past performance is not a guarantee of future success in your case, it demonstrates capability and whether they could be the right fit for you.
Evaluate the Law Firm’s Resources
Personal injury cases often require support from paralegals, investigators, and medical experts. Check if the lawyer has a competent support team to efficiently handle your case. You may want a personal injury law firm near you with strong connections to accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and other expert witnesses that can build your case. And don’t underestimate the importance of a firm’s ability to communicate with insurance companies—this rapport can be just as valuable as courtroom skills in achieving a favorable outcome.
Discuss Payment & Fees
Some of the best personal injury lawyers will be costly, but their legal assistance will make a huge difference. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid if you win. It’s important to clarify the percentage they’ll charge—typically between 33% and 40%—and any additional costs there may be, like court fees or expert witness fees. Ensure the contingency arrangement covers all fees and expenses until the case is resolved, and avoid lawyers who demand large upfront payments. While you’ll want to balance quality and affordability, don’t be intimidated by higher contingency fees if a personal injury lawyer is reputable.
Schedule an Initial Consultation
Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations. Use this opportunity to evaluate the lawyer’s prior cases, communication style, and your case’s potential strengths and weaknesses. A consultation will help you evaluate how much your injury claim is worth and what kind of recoverable damages are available.
To prepare for your consultation, bring all relevant documents to help the lawyer assess your case. Here are a few questions to ask a personal injury lawyer during your consultation:
- What types of cases do you frequently handle?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- How long have you been handling personal injury cases?
- Will the case be handled by you personally or delegated to another party?
- Are you certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy?
- How do you plan to communicate throughout the case?
- How long will it take to resolve the case?
- What are the chances of success?
- How much do you charge for services?
For further guidance moving forward with your personal injury case, consult an experienced personal injury attorney at Dyer Law, or call (402) 393-7529 to schedule your free consultation.