Did you know there are more than 1.3 million attorneys legally practicing in the United States?

In a world full of personal injury ads screaming at you from social media, radio spots, TV commercials, and more, knowing how to choose a personal injury lawyer that is right for you is extremely difficult! Many of your choices for legal representation seem the same on paper, so surely the choice doesn’t matter all that much, right? Wrong!

If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault the last thing you want to do is try to figure out how to hire an attorney. So with so many options, how do you choose the right one?

First, Make Sure You Have A Claim

The first way to know for sure if you’re choosing a personal injury attorney that’ll be best for you is to start with doing your part. From the instant you’ve been in an accident, there are steps you need to take to set yourself up for success later.

Take pictures, gather evidence, and talk to witnesses at the scene of the accident.

If you had catastrophic injuries and were unable to do this at the accident site, take this step as soon as you’re able. From there, file all the paperwork that’s necessary, especially an accident report with the police.

After you complete this first, most immediate step, take time to examine your own case from an objective perspective.

Do you have a case? Is it clear that you were injured unjustly based on the actions of another person?

Do you have at least some evidence to back up your personal injury claims? If so, it’s likely that you need a lawyer, and your search for the best can begin.

How To Know You’ve Got The Best Out of 1.3 Million Lawyers

Keep reading for our list of the top 7 qualifications a personal injury lawyer must have to help you make the right choice. 

1. The Lawyer Has Years of Experience as a Personal Injury Lawyer

Attorneys usually specialize in a particular area of law. So if you have a personal injury case and are hiring an attorney, you want to choose one who specializes in personal injury.

There’s no replacement for first-hand experience actually handling personal injury cases. If you want the best chance of winning your case, pick an attorney who has years of experience handling personal injury cases. 

2. They Typically Choose to Handle Personal Injury Cases Similar to Yours

Remember that when hiring an accident lawyer, you want to hire one who has significant experience handling cases similar to yours. While you could technically have any licensed attorney to represent you, choosing a personal injury lawyer with experience relevant to your case is your best bet. 

You may want to reconsider your choices if the lawyer has never handled a car accident case, for instance. Attorneys with no experience in your particular case type may have trouble navigating various negotiations with insurance companies to cover your medical bills.

3. Good Personal Injury Lawyers Have Great Track Records

One of the best ways to get a feel for whether an attorney is qualified to handle your case is to look at their track record. A good personal injury lawyer will have a proven record of success that they will be proud of and happy to show you. 

It’s important to know if your personal injury lawyer is in a happy, healthy working environment that has a history of providing great legal advice.

4. The Attorney Has Testimonials From Clients With Similar Accidents

Along the same lines, a great personal injury lawyer will be glad to show you how they have helped past clients’ cases. Ask a prospective personal injury lawyer whether you can read testimonials from current and former clients.

You can often find reviews online or on a law firm’s website.

On top of learning about their record from publicly available documents and asking them directly about their history, you should learn more about an individual lawyer’s work in the legal realm at large. See what areas of personal injury law your candidate has practiced before. 

5. They Make It Clear What They Think Of Your Personal Injury Claim

Personal injury lawyers should offer free consultations and case evaluations. This is your opportunity to ask important questions and get a good initial feel of the lawyer.

It’s important to ask a prospective attorney what they think of your particular case and what you should expect if you decide to take legal action.

Do you have a case with your claim? How much can you expect to recover? Will they take your case to trial? What should you expect during the trial?

The best lawyers will give you straightforward and confident answers to all the above.

6. They Clearly Outline The Legal Process For You

You want to get an idea of what you can expect if you do hire a personal injury lawyer. When it’s time to select a personal injury law firm, who will be handling your case?

Who should you contact if you have any questions or concerns and when can you expect a response? What should you expect as far as communication and updates go? 

A great lawyer will be sure to sit down with you and discuss all the process details so you know exactly what to expect during your case.

7. The Lawyer Is Upfront About Potential Costs

While most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, it’s important to be on the same page about expenses from the get-go. Ask prospective attorneys what they charge for cases and how you will be expected to pay as well as when.

Most personal injury attorneys don’t require payment if they don’t win your case. 

Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you can confidently vouch for a lawyer on all of the above qualifications, chances are you have the best personal injury lawyer for you!

If you were injured in an accident and still not sure how to find an attorney, choose an attorney from our team. Each of us has years of experience in various types of law, and you can’t deny that we’ve won some life-changing settlements for clients in the past.

We are experienced personal injury attorneys that are ready and able to get you the compensation you deserve. Click here to contact us today and schedule your free consultation.