Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer
Finding a qualified personal injury lawyer can be difficult and time-consuming, but there are a few ways you can make this process easier and more successful. We recommend taking this opportunity to learn more about personal injury laws by visiting our
Information Center, as this can better prepare you to ask informed questions and take the right initial steps in the wake of an accident or
injury. We also recommend using our directory to compare multiple professionals in your area who may be able to assist you.
Do I really need an attorney?
Not every injury qualifies for a personal injury lawsuit. Not every insurance claim requires the attention of an attorney. A good place to start is to determine whether you need legal counsel at all. For example, if you were involved in a minor fender bender in a parking lot and your car sustained $500 in damages and no one was injured, chances are that you will not need an attorney's services. If you have any questions about your case, are having trouble dealing with the insurance company or have a claim that has caused serious injuries and more than $1,000 in damages, you may find it helpful to have an attorney review the matter. The best way to determine whether you need legal representation is to review the matter with a lawyer who will provide you with an accurate and honest assessment. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation, so that is a good place to start.
Where should I start looking?
A helpful place to begin is with recommendations from friends or family members. If you know someone who had a good experience with a personal injury lawyer, you may find it worthwhile to at least contact that lawyer to get a better idea of their services and qualifications. In the absence of recommendations and even if you have had an attorney recommended to you, it is helpful to contact multiple attorneys in your area. This will enable you to compare their services and will increase the chances that you will be able to find a lawyer who is truly qualified to handle your particular case.
When you begin the process of finding and comparing attorneys, do not hesitate to ask any questions you have on your mind. Find out about their fee arrangements and whether you will be required to pay for any up-front costs. Find out what past successes they have had in cases similar to yours. Find out what will happen if you decide that you no longer wish to work with that attorney. The more you know, the easier it will be to make the right decision.
The right personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in your ability to recover a fair settlement or jury award. A competent lawyer can also bring much-needed peace of mind, as you can stop worrying about how to deal with your claim and can start focusing on healing and spending time with loved ones. Though an attorney will take a percentage of your winnings (usually 33%), you may still recover a higher settlement or award than you would have received without legal counsel.
Ready to get started? Find a personal injury lawyerusing our nationwide directory.