Sorting through the aftermath of a personal injury is a lot like canoeing upstream without a paddle: it’s exhausting while making you feel like you’re getting nowhere. Even if you’re detail-oriented and diligent, you may struggle with the onslaught of tasks, paperwork and financial burdens that come with a personal injury.
It can be overwhelming, which is why it’s a great idea to hire a personal injury attorney. A legal expert is vital to restoring balance to your life and getting the peace of mind you deserve after dealing with the trauma of an accident.
However, there are a lot of lawyers out there who want to represent you. How do you know which one to choose? You might ask, “what should I look for in a personal injury lawyer?”
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are essential criteria you can use to determine if a potential attorney is a good match.
If you’re still debating the merits of hiring a lawyer, check out our article, “Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer.” This content offers an excellent explanation of how injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
What To Look For in a Personal Injury Lawyer?: 3 Traits of a Successful Attorney
Once you start your search for representation, you need a set of criteria to select the right attorney for you.
Selection Factors Reported by Lawyer Clients
A 2018 survey revealed what factors respondents used to choose their lawyer. The most important factor to potential clients was the cost of representation. Sixty percent of respondents said they wanted to know about prices and fees before contacting an attorney.
It’s essential to find a lawyer that will work with you on their pricing, and you should ask about fees and pricing during the initial consultation. However, going for a bargain may net you less-than-ideal results.
Here are three traits we think you should look for when choosing your attorney:
1. Experience: A Key to Success
You want to work with someone who has a strong base of experience in personal injury law.
In the survey mentioned earlier, 48% of respondents said they wanted to know the lawyer’s years of experience. Real, courtroom knowledge can make a difference in your compensation.
A seasoned attorney knows:
- What type of evidence is most effective.
- Where to find expert witnesses.
- The value of your case.
2. Consistent Communication: You Need to Be in the Loop
If you want to know the ins and outs of your case, you’re not alone. One legal trends report revealed that 55% of clients wanted to learn about the legal aspects of the case.
The outcome of your case will affect your life moving forward. Your attorney should keep you in the loop so you can make more informed decisions.
3. Excellent Negotiation Skills: Critical for Fair Settlements
Many cases end in settlement talks for a variety of reasons. Once this happens, your lawyer’s negotiation skills will be as important as their ability to prove your case in the courtroom.
Determination, confidence and a tactful approach are vital to negotiation.
Determining If Your Lawyer Has the Traits for a Successful Case
It’s hard to know if an attorney has the tools to get the compensation you deserve. However, you can look for these desirable qualities in a few ways.
- In-person visits of phone calls: After conducting some initial research on lawyers in your area, an in-person visit or phone call can help you develop a first impression of a potential lawyer.
- A few questions to ask after your meeting:
- Were the lawyer and firm staff friendly to you?
- Did the lawyer have a professional demeanor?
- Were they forthcoming with how they could help you with your case and how much it would cost?
- Did they allow you to ask questions about your case and their experience?
- Did you feel like you had their undivided attention?
- Online reviews: Anonymity allows past clients to deliver unfiltered thoughts about a lawyer’s work. Client and peer reviews are a great way to see what others have to say about your potential attorney.
- Family and friend referrals: If someone you trust worked with a personal injury attorney, they can give you their perspective.
- Case studies and a body of work: Many lawyers have a case study or verdicts and settlements page on their websites to highlight work they’ve done for other clients.
Don’t Wait, Contact Eng & Woods Today
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to deal with the financial burden alone. Our staff at Eng & Woods Attorneys at Law can help you get your life back on track.
With years of experience, we’ve seen plenty of injuries and know how to help our clients get maximum compensation.
For a free consultation, visit our contact page, pick up the phone and call 877-888-2345 or start a chat with us in the lower right corner of your screen.
Time is extremely valuable in a personal injury case, so don’t delay and contact us today. Don’t let the insurance company get the advantage.
Mats Wolff
Due to a small accident that occurred at his place of employment last night, one of my friends wants to engage a personal injury attorney. It was helpful when you mentioned that peer and client reviews are a fantastic method to find out what others think of your possible lawyer. I appreciate the advice on how to pick a personal injury attorney, and I’ll share your blog with my friend so he can get the finest one for his case.
Afton Jackson
Having experience in dealing with evidence gathering would really help contribute to properly handling a case. Since that is extremely difficult by yourself, I can really see an expert being much better than me at it, especially if they’ve handled different kinds of cases before. Should I find myself in an injury case, I’ll ask for some help from an injury lawyer to make sure I have a better chance at getting the right evidence.
Victoria Addington
It got me when you discussed that we should choose a lawyer with extensive experience in personal injury law. My friend got injured due to an accident. I should advise him to hire a personal injury compensation lawyer with vast experience in the field.
John Carston
I’m glad that you talked about how you should consider knowing the best evidence to support your case for a greater outcome. My best friend told me last night that his cousin was physically assaulted with no fault on his own and suffered a bodily injury. He asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to do. I’ll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if they consult a personal injury attorney as they can help them with the legal process. Thank you for the tips.
Olivia Smart
Thank you for explaining how you can use online reviews to find a good lawyer to represent you. My sister is thinking about hiring a lawyer after her car accident a few nights ago. I’ll be sure to mention this to her to hopefully help her to narrow down her options.
Daisy James
I really like how you said to find one that will work on pricing with you! My sister is in the hospital due to a bad car accident she got in a couple of days ago, and while I was visiting her, she asked me to help her with finding a lawyer for her case since the accident wasn’t her fault. I’ll keep these tips in mind as I help her search for a personal injury attorney!
Steve Smith
I like that you said that having a set of criteria could help you gather the lawyer you need for your case. Last night, my friend’s brother got into a motor accident, and he fell asleep while driving. The next thing he knew he had crashed into another motorcycle. He was being charged lots of money for it. Thank you for the helpful article. I will talk to my friend so that she can advise her brother to seek a personal injury lawyer for legal help.
Charlotte Fleet
My boyfriend was in a car accident a couple of nights ago that badly injured him. He’d like to hire an attorney to represent his case, so it’s good to know your suggestion to find one that has a strong base of personal injury experience. My boyfriend wants to have an attorney hired by the end of next week, so I’ll help him find one that is very experienced.