It’s tough these days to surf the web, turn on the TV, or go for a drive and not see some sort of advertisement for a personal injury lawyer. It seems they’re everywhere. And every one of them is asking for your business.
Some are tough. Some have been practicing law since the days of the dinosaurs. Others seem to be taking over the world with offices in every city on the map like a conquering army. So if you find yourself in need of a personal injury lawyer, finding one is easy. Finding the right one for you and your case is another thing entirely.
We’re not all created equally. And every personal injury lawyer is going to bring something different to the table – some good, some bad. And not every personal injury office is set up the same. Some offices are small. Some rival the size of Microsoft. The point is, there is a lawyer out there of every size, skill, and location for everyone.
Here are a few things to look for and questions to ask when you’re trying to find the best personal injury lawyer. Remember, it’s not about finding the best personal injury, it’s about finding the best personal injury for you.
- Find someone with whom you are comfortable talking. A personal injury case is a marathon, not a sprint. The relationship you will have with your personal injury lawyer and the lawyer’s staff will not be measured in days or weeks but in months and years. It doesn’t take a lawyer to tell you that a years-long relationship with someone you don’t like isn’t going to be pleasant. Especially when that relationship will require you to share intimate details about your life, your relationships, and possibly about one of the most traumatic events of your life. Take a little time to talk with your prospective lawyer. Get to know them. Share stories. If you walk out of that conversation feeling good, feeling like you’ve met someone with whom you wouldn’t mind talking again, then you’re on the right track.
- Determine what size law firm you’d like to work with. Not all law firms are alike – especially in the field of personal injury law firms. Some, like many of those you’ll see on TV, are gigantic. They have dozens of lawyers and hundreds of staff. Those firms like to call themselves “high-volume.” That means they’re working hundreds, if not thousands of cases at any given time. Consider what that may mean for your case. Will it allow you the personal attention you and your case deserve? Other law firms are smaller with only a few lawyers or even one. Think about whether the smaller experience is the kind of experience you’d like to have. It’s all a matter of preference.
- Look at Online Reviews. It’s never been easier to find out about other people’s experiences with the business, a product, and even a lawyer. So when you’re checking a personal injury lawyer out, look at their reviews on Google, Avvo, and some of the other online forums where people can report on their experiences. Read the reviews. Are the reviewers describing the kind of experience you’d like to have with a personal injury lawyer?
- Is the firm going to see your case all the way through to the end? Some lawyers just like settling cases. They don’t consider themselves trial lawyers and never want to be trial lawyers. They’ll tell you upfront that they’re not going to take your case to trial. And that’s ok if you’re willing to settle your case at a discount. Insurance companies know what lawyers are willing to take cases all the way through to a trial, and which aren’t. And the insurance companies treat each of them differently. Lawyers who take cases to trial get better offers of settlement. Consider that fact when you’re looking for the right lawyer for your case.
There are many other things to look for when finding the right personal injury lawyer for a car accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice case. My book provides more detail on what to look for and what the road ahead may be like. Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. But if it does feel right, you may be on the right track.
And if you ever have any questions, give us a call. We’re always happy to take a few minutes to make sure that justice is being served.
