Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered injuries that were caused by someone else’s negligence, choosing a personal injury lawyer to handle your case is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Hiring the right attorney can be the difference between obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries or walking away with far less than you deserve. With so many injury law firms out there, how do you find the right attorney for you? This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to make an informed decision when selecting a personal injury lawyer to represent you.

Understanding When You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

Not every accident requires the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies are more likely to pay out for accidents that involve minor injuries, for instance. If your accident caused serious or catastrophic injuries, however, or the insurance company is refusing to offer you a fair settlement, you’re going to need to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. Examples of types of accident cases that might require the assistance of an attorney include:

• Multi-car accidents
• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Uninsured motorist accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Defective product cases
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice

If you’ve been injured in any of these situations (or something similar), and the accident wasn’t your fault, a personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you need to pay for your medical bills and other losses.

What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer

There are thousands of injury law firms in the United States, and a significant number of them are located near larger cities or metros. When you search Google for “Chicago personal injury lawyer”, for instance, countless attorney websites will appear on the search page. All personal injury lawyers are not equally qualified to handle complicated or high-value accident cases, however. Knowing what qualities to look for in an attorney can help you choose the injury law firm that’s best for your situation.

Choose a Lawyer with Experience in Your Type of Case

While most injury lawyers handle a wide range of accident types, some attorneys have more of a focus on a specific area of practice. For instance, let’s say two attorneys both advertise that they have 20 years of experience in personal injury law. Lawyer A may have handled thousands of cases involving truck accidents, but only a few medical malpractice claims, while Lawyer B may focus almost exclusively on medical negligence cases.

Look for an Established Law Firm With Ties to Your Community

A law firm that has been around for many years will have built relationships with various types of professionals who can benefit your injury claim. A well-established firm will have access to medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and financial and vocational experts who will play a substantial role in your recovery. Additionally, a local injury law firm may be able to help you gain access to quality medical providers who will subtract their fees from your settlement check.

Read Client Reviews

Find out how satisfied previous clients have been with the legal services the attorney or law firm provided by reading client reviews. Simply search for the law firm name in Google to read Google reviews on the firm’s Google Business Profile, or take a look at sites like Yelp, Facebook, or the Better Business Bureau. Look for attorneys who have a track record of satisfied clients in cases similar to yours.

Search for an Attorney With Your Goals in Mind

Keep in mind that there are law firms out there that work on a “high volume and quick turnover” basis. They frequently settle cases for pennies on the dollar, not considering the true value of their clients’ cases, or the losses their clients have experienced. When choosing an attorney, make sure that your goals and best interests will be prioritized.

Meet With Attorneys for a Free Consultation

After you’ve narrowed your list down to two or three law firms, it’s important to meet with the attorneys in person or on the phone. Most injury lawyers offer free, no-obligation case evaluations, so it won’t cost you anything to discuss your case. Meeting with the attorneys gives you the opportunity to find out more about your legal options and assess the lawyers’ personalities to decide who is the best fit for your case.

Before meeting with your short list of attorneys, prepare a few questions to help you learn more about the things that concern you the most. You might consider:

• The law firm’s fee structure. Most personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency basis. They shoulder the financial burden of pursuing compensation in return for a percentage of your settlement or jury award when your case is won. If the attorney does not win compensation on your behalf, you don’t pay attorney fees. Fee structures like this are beneficial to injured victims for various reasons. One of the biggest benefits is that you don’t have to come up with a large sum of money to get quality legal representation. Another important benefits, is that this fee structure gives the attorney an incentive to work harder to deliver satisfactory results.
• Track record of success and strategy. Check the law firm’s website for relevant case results, and be sure to ask the lawyer about his or her success rate in cases like yours. Be sure to ask about whether the attorney has experience taking cases to trial, or if they routinely encourage their clients to settle with the insurance company outside of court.
• Communication style. Were you comfortable asking the lawyer questions? How well did the attorney listen to you? Did he or she address your concerns during your free consultation? Also, make sure to ask about whether you’ll have direct contact with your lawyer, and who will be working with you on your case.

You have a lot on the line after suffering injuries in an accident, and you’ve only got one chance to recover compensation for your losses. Following this guide to hiring a personal injury lawyer can help ensure you choose the right law firm for your case.