How to Choose an Attorney for Your Personal Injury Case

Choosing the right lawyer to help you file your claim after you’ve been injured due to the negligent acts of another is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your lawyer will ensure you file everything correctly within the time limit. They will also be more likely to improve your chances of getting fair compensation.

Most people do not realize how much strain a personal injury can cause on their finances. They only think about their medical bills, and once they accept the settlement check, it’s too late to seek anything more. The financial impacts can be felt for months and years ahead due to lost income, continuing medical care, prescriptions, surgeries, and more. You’ll be able to get more compensation when you have a personal injury attorney on your side.

There are many excellent personal injury attorneys in Southern California, but not all of them will be the right fit. Here are some tips to help you pick the best one to represent your personal injury case.

Start with Referrals

One of the best ways to find an experienced and trustworthy personal injury attorney is to ask your friends and family members. They may have worked with one in the area that helped them have a successful outcome in their case.

Look Online

If you don’t have any contacts that have previously needed the services of a personal injury lawyer, look online. You can see their practice areas, ratings, and reviews and build a list of attorneys to contact.

Consider Your Case

Some personal injury lawyers will have extensive experience with all types of motor vehicle accidents, from bicycle accidents to truck accidents. Others will have experience with medical malpractice claims. It’s ideal that you choose a personal injury attorney with experience in your type of case. While it’s not a guarantee they will win, you’ll have a better chance of having things go your way if you choose an attorney who has represented injury victims in similar circumstances.

Review Their Credentials and Track Record

Once you compile your list, you’ll want to make sure each lawyer has the appropriate degree from an accredited law school, licensing, registrations, and certifications. You can check with the American Bar Association to confirm, but don’t stop there.

Ideally, an attorney that continues following up with legal education every few years to stay abreast of new laws is the kind you’ll want to represent you. They should also have a winning track record for securing proper settlements and when going to trial.

Consider Firm Size and Availability

Everyone in the area knows about the law firms with big roadside billboards and TV commercials. Larger firms like these do have plenty of resources and experience. However, they may also have less time to devote to your case. Availability should be a huge consideration. Make sure you ask each lawyer if they will be working on your case and how often they will be in touch to keep you informed about its progress.

Set Up Consultations

Personal injury attorneys almost always offer a free initial consultation. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of possible lawyers, you will then want to sit down with them to discuss your case. You’ll provide details about what happened and show them all documentation you have that relates to your injuries.

The right personal injury attorney for you will be able to provide a rough estimate of what could be expected in compensation. The advice they provide is extremely valuable, but you should also pay attention to their personality. If you feel comfortable with them, they could be the best lawyer to take your case.

You should meet with a few different personal injury lawyers first. Even if you like the first one you sit down with, keep going down your list of potential attorneys. You may find one you like who isn’t readily available and need to continue your search.

By speaking one-on-one with each lawyer, you can find out more about your expected role. You may want to be more informed every step of the way, or you may prefer to let your lawyer handle everything so you can try to rest and recover from your injuries.

Before you sign anything, you should understand what to expect. This also includes the expected fees. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, allowing you to hire them immediately without paying them anything. If they win, they take their payment along with any other fees from your settlement. If they lose, you do not have to pay them anything. It’s important to discuss all potential fees involved to avoid any confusion later on.

Choosing Your Best Personal Injury Lawyer

By the time you narrow down your list and speak with each of the personal injury attorneys that fit your requirements, you will be ready to choose one to represent you. Think about their experience, success rate, and reviews from other clients while considering the first impression they made.

According to the personal injury lawyers at Maho | Prentice, LLP, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions to ensure you’ve found the right attorney to serve as your legal representation. Ask as many questions as possible during each consultation because the right attorney will be patient and willing to answer all of them. They will not have endless time for the consultation, so it is wise to prepare a list of questions in advance.

As the attorney answers your questions, you should better understand their experience, methods, and availability for your case. At the same time, they should also make you feel heard and cared about, not like just another client.

When you feel confident that you’ve found the perfect personal injury attorney to represent your case, you can then sign the paperwork. You will have a greater chance of getting a bigger settlement and be able to move forward in your life from this momentary setback soon enough.