If you’ve been injured by somebody else and want to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, you may wonder how you can choose the right personal injury lawyer who will be able to help you receive the fairest payout for the losses you’ve suffered. In this article, we’ll offer a comprehensive guide to the steps that you can take to pick the best personal injury lawyer. 

1. Know the Different Types of Personal Injury Lawyers

Depending on the nature of the situation in which you were injured, you may decide to choose a different type of personal injury lawyer. Some personal injury lawyers specialize in specific types of accidents and negligence. If you can find an attorney who specializes in incidents like yours, they may be the most qualified to help you with your particular case. 

Some areas of specialty that personal injury lawyers may focus on including the following: 

• Car accident
• Slip and fall
• Recreational accidents, such as accidents during activities like boating and water skiing 
• Nursing home neglect
• Construction accident
• Medical malpractice
• Defective product
• Dog bite
• Workers’ compensation

Note that not all personal injury lawyers focus on one type of case. Some are qualified to work on some, most, or all areas. 

2. Learn What Cases the Lawyer has Worked on in the Past 

Regardless of whether you’re looking at lawyers who specialize in a particular type of case or those who have a broader focus, it’s important to try and learn whether or not the lawyer(s) you are considering have previously worked on and won cases similar to yours. The more cases like yours they have won, the more likely it is that they will be able to help you achieve a favorable outcome as well. 

3. Read Reviews and Testimonials

Another important step in choosing the right personal injury lawyer is hearing from their prior clients to find out how satisfied they are. You’ll probably be able to find reviews and testimonials on the law firm’s website. You may also want to do your own research beyond this, as well. This can mean independently seeking out prior clients of the lawyers you are considering to speak to them directly about their experience or searching for reviews online. Another option is to speak to anybody you may know who has also filed a personal injury lawsuit and ask them whether or not they would recommend the personal injury lawyer that they worked with. 

4. Review the Lawyer’s Credentials

Before you decide to work with any particular lawyer, it’s important to confirm that they have all of the necessary certifications and licenses for your jurisdiction. The different types of credentials you will want to look for may include:

• Passing the Law School Admissions Test
• Graduating from an accredited law school
• Taking the state Bar exam
• Continued legal education
• Board certification in personal injury law

You’ll also want to look at the lawyers’ track record to see how frequently they win versus lose cases.

5. Find Out About the Firm’s Size, Availability, and Experience

A few more important factors to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer are the size, availability, and experience of the law firm they work for. You may prefer a larger firm for its resources or a smaller firm for its ability to focus on and prioritize your case. Either way, you’ll most likely want to go with a firm with years of experience, as you can be more confident about their abilities over a newer firm without as much of a track record. And, of course, it’s crucial that the law firm actually has the availability to take on your case. It doesn’t matter if they’re your ideal lawyer and firm if they don’t actually have the time to work with new clients.

6. Consult With Lawyers and Law Offices

Once you’ve considered all of the factors above, it’s time to get out and actually meet with law offices and lawyers. This is a crucial step for a few reasons. First of all, law offices will be able to help you determine whether or not your case is a fit for what they do and point you to a specific lawyer who might be best suited to work with you. 

And speaking to lawyers themselves is incredibly important because the way a lawyer speaks to and works with you can make a big difference in your comfort level with them. You’ll most likely want to work with a lawyer who is respectful, communicative, and transparent with you. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you want during your consultation that will help you decide whether or not you want to work with a particular attorney.

And, finally, this step will help you confirm that the lawyer you are interested in is interested in your case. If they believe that your chances of winning are low or the payout you’ll receive isn’t significant enough, they may refuse to work with you. 

If they do agree to take your case on, congratulations! You’ve selected a personal injury attorney and you can get started with working on your case. If not, don’t be discouraged. Finding the right personal injury lawyer can be an involved process, but it’s worth it to help increase the chances of you getting the outcome you want.