3- Make your proper List of criteria that’s important to you:
When thinking about how to choose a personal injury lawyer, it’s important to consider which criteria are most important to you.
For example, you might want to work only with a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, or a lawyer who receives a percentage of your amount recovered but does not charge an upfront fee. Narrowing down your search for law firms that set their fees this way can help you choose the best personal injury lawyer for you.
The type of injury you have suffered can also be important. Some attorneys have extensive experience working with victims of motorcycle or car accidents, while others may have more experience in medical malpractice claims. It is best to consider the extent of your potential attorney’s experience in the particular types of cases before hiring them.
Criteria that may be important to consider when choosing the best personal injury lawyer may include:
- A lawyer’s experience with your type of case (i.e. medical malpractice, car accident injury, sexual assault, etc.)
- Size of the law firm
- A lawyer’s credentials and track record
- A lawyer’s availability to take your case
- The law firm’s years of experience and access to resources
- How the law firm handles case fees
- Past client experiences
- Success record
4- Make a list of lawyers who match your needs:
Once you have compiled a list of potential personal injury lawyers who you think could meet your needs, select four or five to consult. The fact of your choices is good for you in the long run; if you meet each of these attorneys, you will likely need to visit their office or have a phone interview for an initial consultation.
To review your case enough to give you the big picture and determine if they can handle it, a lawyer may need documents and other details. This process can be time consuming, so it pays to pick a few of your top picks to look at rather than working from a long list.
5- Review the credentials and backgrounds of each lawyer:
Becoming a certified lawyer takes time and dedication. Most states require a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, along with a certain score on the state bar exam. Requirements applicable to practicing lawyers vary by state and jurisdiction.
Other licenses, registrations and certifications a lawyer may need to obtain for their own state, jurisdiction, or the law firm employing them may include:
- Completing and passing the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), prior to entering law school
- Graduating from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
- Taking the Bar exam in each state (for lawyers who want to practice in more than one state)
- Remaining up-to-date about legal developments which affect their area of law practice
- Continuing legal education every year or every three years (in most states)
- Board certification in personal injury litigation – this ensures that the lawyer has extensive experience and has passed the state bar exam
In addition to maintaining the necessary license to practice, it is important that the personal injury lawyer you choose to have a successful record. After all, you are pursuing your claim in the hopes of winning, and an experienced lawyer can give you insight into the best possible outcome depending on the details of your case.
6. Consider Firm Size, Availability, And Experience:
Next, consider the size of each business that you are considering. A larger practice means more resources and experience, but can also mean less time to spend on your case. Despite a large number of cases, the best companies manage their workload well.
It’s also important to consider the experience of a law firm. A lawyer with less experience may be part of a firm with decades of collective experience and may represent you well, as opposed to an experienced personal injury lawyer who alone and does not have access to the same resources. For this reason, it is important to consider the level of the company’s collective experience.
7. Call Law Offices To Set Up A Consultation:
After you have selected a few of the best attorneys for careful consideration and searched their websites for as much useful information as possible, it is time to call for a consultation. Most personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation.
At this first meeting, you will be asked to explain your case, provide details regarding the incident that led to your injury and other necessary information. To be prepared, it’s a good idea to bring all the documents related to your case for the lawyer to review.
Based on the details you provide, a lawyer may be able to provide a rough estimate of what you can expect in terms of damages or compensation if your claim is successful. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer should also be able to advise on the likelihood of your claim being successful.
8. Meet with different attorneys to explore your options:
It can be a good idea to meet with a few different lawyers before choosing someone to represent you. Not all lawyers may have the time and availability to handle your case, so it is important to have several viable options.
In addition, you can work closely with the lawyer of your choice for several months or more. Having a good working relationship with the person you choose to represent your case is crucial.
Speaking one-on-one with a lawyer can also help the lawyer understand your desired level of involvement. For example, some people may wish to be informed every step of the way and to be called as often as possible for their case.
Others may want only to recover from their injuries, allowing their attorney to handle all legal proceedings with minimal involvement. Before signing with a personal injury lawyer, all parties should know whether you want a more hands-on and informed approach, or if you only want to be involved in the details that are necessary.
9. Choose The Best Lawyer For Your Case:
After consulting with a small selection of top-rated personal injury lawyers, you may be ready to choose the best lawyer to represent you for your claim.
Consider all the criteria that makes an excellent lawyer, such as experience, success rate, and client reviews, as well as your own instincts upon meeting the lawyer. While you can break a contract with a lawyer if necessary, it’s not optimal to have to change legal representation during your case.
For this reason, it’s important to ask as many questions as possible during your consultation and to spend some time discussing your case at length. This will give you a good feel for the lawyer’s methods, experience, and an idea of how much time they can dedicate to your case.
The right lawyer will make you feel heard, ensure every angle of your claim is addressed to strengthen your case, and give you the greatest opportunity to win your claim and get the fairest amount of compensation.
