8 Tips on Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer

Advertisements for personal injury lawyers are everywhere. On your way to work, you’ve probably noticed ads on billboards or even on the radio. Though you may not give them much thought on a daily basis, those smiling, picturesque lawyers might be the first ones that come to mind when you’re in an accident.

Unfortunately, many of the lawyers that you see and hear in ads may not be as outstanding as they seem. This article will give you some tips to choose a personal injury lawyer who will work diligently and effectively for you.

If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Zinda Law Group at (888) 241-6071 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.

8 Things To Consider in the Lawyer Selection Process

1. Do they have experience in the right field?

It is often the case that a lawyer with many years of experience has greater advantages than a lawyer with fewer years. This is because legal experience teaches a lawyer what common issues to look for and what pitfalls lie ahead; you certainly don’t want a lawyer that is surprised when an issue occurs.

There are certain aspects of the legal field that you cannot learn from simply reading textbooks. A young lawyer may have aced all his classes in law school, but that doesn’t mean anything if they don’t know proper courtroom procedure or how to ask the court to exclude certain evidence. A lawyer with many years will be less likely to make rookie mistakes and help you understand the individual steps it takes to win your case.

2. What are other lawyers and clients saying?

These days, you may rate restaurants, stores, and other places where good customer service is expected; law firms are no exception.

Though choosing a personal injury lawyer is not the same as choosing a restaurant, it’s valuable to know that attorneys are also rated and reviewed by former or current clients and even by their fellow attorneys. Below are some of the websites you may visit to see what others think about the lawyer you are planning to hire.

The first is The Martindale-Hubbell Registry. Featuring more than one million lawyers, the Martindale-Hubbell Registry includes ratings for all attorneys listed on the registry as well as short biographies of their specialty and practice. With a registry that’s been around for over a century, their credibility is unquestionable.

The Martindale-Hubbell registry lists lawyers who have been vetted by other lawyers through a secure survey which contains questions that ask about the lawyer’s ethical standards and legal ability in a specific area of practice. Once the survey is completed, the lawyer in question may receive one of the following ratings: AV preeminent, Distinguished, and Notable.

The AV preeminent rating is the Martindale-Hubbell Registry’s highest peer-rating standard. The rating is given only to attorneys who are known for their strong competency in the field that they practice in, superb communication skills, and resolute ethical standards.

The Distinguished rating is given to lawyers who have some experience in the field that they practice in and have some recognition among their peers for their professional achievement and ethical standards.

The Notable rating is given to lawyers who are known for their strong ethical standards.

The next website is Superlawyers. Every year, the website posts the highest-rated lawyers in their respective fields based on their recognition among peers and professional achievement. Approximately 5 percent of lawyers in every state are given the title of super lawyer.

You might also check Bestlawyers. Another peer-review website where lawyers are rated. The lawyers who make the list are there because fellow lawyers have nominated them.

Finally, Google allows former and current clients to easily rate a lawyer on Google if the lawyer has their firm listed. However, be wary of a rating if the lawyer has only one or two reviews. One person’s opinion can often be biased which is why it’s important to do your own research with vetted resources.

3. Would another lawyer recommend them?

Though we live in a digital age, word of mouth remains an important way for a business to thrive and the legal business is no exception. Like other professional industries, the world of law is tight knit and lawyers from across the country are likely to be peers.

Lawyers take keen interest in up and coming attorneys and are diligent when making connections. As word of mouth is such a valuable tool for new clients, it’s in a lawyer’s best interest to be well-connected even in areas they aren’t specialized in. A great indication you’re being led the right way is by seeking out that one lawyer that is being mentioned most by other lawyers.

4. Do they have enough resources for my case?

Certain fields of legal practice do not need a team of lawyers or support staff. A basic trust document, for instance, does not need a law firm of one hundred employees to process it. A single practitioner can draft up a trust document or wills document without much trouble.

However, a personal injury case is different. A personal injury case can mean long negotiations with insurers, interviews with a number of experts, hours of depositions, and countless motions. A single lawyer cannot do this by themselves.

If you have a personal injury case that involves multiple parties and severe injuries, you should not hire a lawyer who operates a solo law firm. They will likely not have the resources to provide competent representation.

5. Do I need a generalist or a specialist?

Some lawyers are known as general practitioners. General practitioners are lawyers who handle several types of legal cases. For instance, some lawyers not only handle trusts and estates issues, but also criminal law issues.

Because they practice in many different legal fields, general practitioners may not be suitable for your case if it is complex. When choosing a personal injury attorney, you want someone who handles personal injury cases on a regular basis, not someone who does it from time to time.

Note that the law changes over time and that a lawyer who practices in several different legal fields may not be aware of new developments in personal injury law. Going with a general practitioner on a complex case could mean facing an opposing counsel that is more experienced in personal injury law; leaving your case at a disadvantage.

6. Do not trust lawyers who send solicitation letters.

Some lawyers are known as ambulance chasers. The joke is that these types of lawyers chase after ambulances for the potential client inside.

In reality, these lawyers have hired hands who look through police reports for accident victims. In some cases, these lawyers may find the addresses of the victims and send letters asking the victim if he or she would like to use their legal services.

Though many jurisdictions prohibit this kind of behavior from attorneys, some jurisdictions do allow attorneys to solicit potential clients in this manner. You should be wary if an attorney tries to solicit you to use his or her service since these lawyers may be soliciting you because their reputation is poor and are desperate for new clients.

After an accident, victims are usually eager to find services quickly and get the process over with ASAP. There are predatory lawyers who use this to their advantage and exploit vulnerable and distressed accident victims.

7. How often does the lawyer go to trial?

Though a majority of personal injury cases settle, you do not want to hire a personal injury lawyer that is willing to settle all the time. If your case needs to go to trial, you need a lawyer who will stand up for you at trial.

Therefore, when choosing a personal injury attorney, always look to see how many trials he or she has done. You should also look to see how many trials he or she has won. Even if a lawyer has gone to trial every other day, it would be no good if he or she loses every trial.

8. Make sure you are aware of the ‘fee policy.’

Many personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, a system where you only pay if the lawyer wins the case. Some lawyers use a flat fee or an hourly rate. You want to make sure you know how you are going to pay the lawyer, so you do not have any surprises later down the road.

John (Jack) Zinda

Founder / CEO

Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualities should I look for in a personal injury lawyer?

Look for someone with the right compassion and experience that is able to meet your needs. Someone who is compassionate will fight zealously on your behalf and help you seek maximum compensation for your injury. While an experienced lawyer will be ready to tackle any and all problems along with guiding you through the process. Follow the tips and questions above and you’re sure to find the right attorney to win your case.

Neil Solomon

Partner

Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today

The experienced attorneys at Zinda Law Group may be able to help you with your personal injury claim. After an accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about affording legal representation. This is why we offer a No Win, No Fee Guarantee. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. Check out our podcast and blog for more helpful resources.

Call us today at (888) 241-6071 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers

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