How to Find the Right Lawyer for My Injury Case

Hiring a personal injury lawyer may seem like a daunting and intimidating task. Who can I trust? What do I look for? How will I know? Where do I start? After you or someone you love experiences a traumatic situation that calls for a personal injury lawyer, the last thing you want to worry about is coming in not knowing what questions to ask. Equipping yourself with the right questions is crucial to finding the right lawyer, so before interviewing one, make sure to dedicate some time to educate yourself about what questions to ask.

To get you started, here are five questions that will help you determine if the person sitting in front of you will be the right personal injury lawyer for you:

1. How many years of experience do you possess, and are you Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law?
When deciding on an attorney it's important to first verify his or her experience and field of specialization. In the same way not all doctors specialize in all fields of medicine, not all personal injury lawyers are qualified for all types of cases. Ask if the lawyer has handled a similar type of injury case in the past and what the outcome was. When dealing with such a delicate case that encompasses so many emotions and pain, you'll need someone who is experienced and has been there.

Ensuring your lawyer has the proper credentials is also necessary when deciding on a personal injury lawyer. Becoming board-certified is a lengthy process, and very few attorneys are actually board certified in their specialized field of practice. Knowing that your attorney is board certified should give you some comfort level that her knowledge of the subject matter has been tested, that her experience has been verified, and that she is continuing to undertake additional study in the field.

If your state doesn't offer board certification, use a third party to verify a personal injury lawyer's qualifications. Super Lawyers is one such organization, offering reviews and awarding those who have been recognized by their peers for recognition in their field. Only a very small number of all lawyers are selected as Super Lawyers. Of course, you should also do your own research beforehand, so you can verify your findings with what you're told.

2. What are your AVVO and MARTINDALE-HUBBELL ® ratings?
Comparing attorneys isn't always easy, especially for those not in the industry. Fortunately, several rating systems have been developed to help consumers compare lawyers. AVVO Ratings are calculated to evaluate a lawyer’s background. A mathematical model is used that considers the following points: years in practice, history of disciplinary actions, achievements, and industry recognition. Avvo ratings are unbiased, easy to understand, carry no favoritism, and are developed by legal experts for non-experts. The ratings are based from numbers 1-10 with 10 being the most superb.

The MARTINDALE-HUBBELL PEER REVIEW RATINGS™ are obtained from evaluations of other lawyers. Lawyers are voted on by other lawyers on their ability and ethics. The rankings consist of letters A, B, C or none for abilities, and V is the highest ranking for ethics. For a superior lawyer, an AV rating will apply, which is the highest rating one can achieve.

3. What is the biggest case you have ever handled, and what was the outcome?
Personal injury lawyers who have handled large, multi-million dollar cases are more likely to have fought in more difficult cases. If you have a very large case, you want to make sure that your case isn't the largest case your attorney has ever handled. Lawyers who have successfully handled million dollar and multi-million dollar cases may have attained membership in either the Million Dollar Advocates or Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which maintains a list of member attorneys.

4. Do you have former client testimonials and can you provide them?
Client testimonials give you a glimpse of what your relationship will be like with your personal injury lawyer. When a lawyer is endorsed by former clients, chances are your relationship will be a good one. Work can be scored with rankings and numbers, but some of the best indicators of a successful attorney are successful relationships. Ask your lawyer if you can see her testimonials (they should also be on the company website) and ensure that the feedback is legitimate by reading through a couple of them and getting a feel for how they are written. Do they all sound the same? Is the testimonial personalized to the client’s experience? How do you feel when you read them?

5. Will I be working with you directly?
The last thing you want is to be shuffled through a legal factory without knowing with whom you are really dealing and whom to approach when you have a question. Stay away from a law office that will shuffle you through to an assembly line process because personal injury cases often deal with life threatening injuries, life long disability or death. You deserve the personal attention and dedication of a deeply caring personal injury lawyer. Find a lawyer who is willing to work with you one-on-one and who carries the open communication and promptness of service and answers that you deserve.

These are general guidelines for the types of questions you should ask and some ideas about what online resources exist to check out the qualifications of the lawyer you hire for your case. When choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your case, it is important that you know and like the person you are going to be dealing with. Personal Injury cases can often be a long and emotional journey. You want to make sure that you choose wisely. The legal road that approaches can be a rough one, but if you hire the right personal injury lawyer, that same rocky road will be paved for a smoother ride ahead.

Don't hesitate to contact Kay Van Wey at (800)489-5082 for a free, no obligation consultation.

Van Wey Law serves:

The entire state of Texas, including Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio

The entire state of Oklahoma, including Tulsa and Oklahoma City

Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas

The entire United States for health care fraud, “pill mill” cases, and dangerous pharmaceutical products