Family life can be full of surprises and you never know what’s going to happen from one day to the next.   Unfortunately, every year, hundreds of thousands of people need to find themselves a personal injury lawyer when they are injured. During this difficult time, you’re going to need to find a personal injury lawyer that you can trust and who will do the best for you. 

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There are a number of reasons you might need to make a personal injury claim, from a car accident to a workplace or medical negligence case. 

You might think that a lawyer is just a lawyer, and any one of them can deal with your case.  Finding the right lawyer at this point is crucial for both the outcome of your case and the compensation you will receive.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer. 

They Have The Right Experience

Personal injury is a very specialized area of law.  Having legal representation with the right kind of experience could be a huge factor in your case.  Some lawyers specialize in motor vehicle accidents, others in medical negligence.  You can find lawyers as specialized as government contracts attorneys that can handle representing you in a government contract protest. They will know the nuances of your case, from specific medical conditions to family law issues associated with your case.  

They Have A Good Track Record

When you bring a personal injury case against someone, their insurance company will make decisions based on the lawyer you choose.  If they have an excellent track record in winning cases, then the insurance company will be more likely to settle your case, because they don’t want drawn-out litigation that they have a good chance of losing.  

The reverse is also true, if they think that your lawyer isn’t very good, they will be more likely to take their chances at trial. 

A good lawyer will have many successful cases that they can reference, as well as indicative levels of compensation that they achieved. 

They Have Good Reviews

There are a number of platforms that allow clients to review their lawyers.  Check out Yelp, Google, and Rate My Lawyer.  You should be able to get a good sense of what previous clients actually think.  

One or two bad reviews shouldn’t ring too many alarm bells but if there are more than a few then you should consider finding another lawyer. 

What Is Their Pricing Structure?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a no-win, no fee basis.  However, you should take the time to look at their pricing structure a bit more closely.  How much of your compensation will you collect if you are successful with your claim? Be clear on the fee structure in advance before you commit. 

Most lawyers will take at least 25% of your settlement amount but others can charge up to 70%.  

They Know When To Settle

It’s a fact that most personal injury cases are settled out of court. There’s nothing wrong with settling but a good lawyer will also pursue your case further if they need to.  

Going to trial could greatly extend the time it takes to get compensation.  If your injuries have left you unable to work, or accruing medical bills, then you may want to look to settle early in order to recoup some money.  

Trials can also be unpredictable and even strong cases can turn against you on a technicality.  

They’ll Be Honest With You

A good lawyer will find out all of the facts of your case, assess them and give you an honest opinion on the validity of your particular situation.  They will advise you when to settle and when to pursue the case, or if your claim isn’t strong, they may advise you to drop your claim altogether. 

They Communicate Well

You expect lawyers to be busy people but they should also practice good business communications.  If you are constantly emailing and calling them without them getting back to you, then they will likely be the same when dealing with your case. 

Conclusion

Choosing a lawyer can be difficult, especially when you’re at our most vulnerable after an injury.  You need to be able to place our trust in them to do right by us and achieve the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to. 

Don’t be tempted to rush into a decision.  Do as much research as you can, looking at independent reviews and references.  

If in doubt, trust your instincts and keep looking until you find a good lawyer you can really work with.