When you’re in an accident or otherwise injured due to someone’s negligence, you can’t afford to take it to court on your own. The opposition will have a legal team, and without your own, you’re likely to lose or not receive nearly as much as you deserve.
That’s why a personal injury lawyer should be your first priority after taking care of any immediate health concerns caused by the incident. However, the lawyer you hire makes a huge impact on whether you succeed or not.
Here’s how to find the best personal injury lawyer to win your case and get the justice you deserve.
1. Look for a Contingency Lawyer
When a lawyer works on contingency, it means that they don’t get paid unless you win. There are pros and cons to this, but in many situations, it’s a good sign.
First, it means that if you lose your case and don’t win any money, you’re not going to get hit with a massive legal bill on top of it. If you lose, the lawyer accepts the loss.
The second main benefit can also be a drawback. Because lawyers working on this pay model only get paid if you win, they’re unlikely to take weak cases. It’s understandably a big risk to do so.
So, if one of these lawyers does take on your case, you know you have a solid chance of winning and they genuinely believe in your case.
2. Look at the Lawyer’s Track Record
You do not want to hire a lawyer who has consistently lost cases in recent years. It’s practically unheard of for an experienced lawyer to win every single case they take on, but if there’s a pattern of losing, it’s unreasonable to think they’ll suddenly win yours even if you have a strong case.
Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do if you’re just looking for cold hard facts.
In federal court systems, there’s the PACER record that you can use. However, in the lower court systems that you’re likely to find yourself in over an injury case, you’d have to go through public records and find every single case they’ve participated in for every county.
Luckily, successful law firms make their success known. They’re not likely to be dishonest, either. It would quickly catch up with them. So, simply asking the lawyer or looking at the claims on their site is a reliable method.
However, you can also look at customer testimonials. Law firms often get the participants of big cases they won to provide a testimonial, all the information necessary to confirm the claim is available, and it’s reliable. Online reviews are also available.
Keep in mind that online reviews on review platforms tend to attract people with negative experiences both warranted and unwarranted. So, make sure you’re gauging the quality of the information given and the timeframe in which it was given. If a lawyer’s online presence is inundated with negative reviews, that’s when you need to take it seriously.
3. Ask for a Portfolio Breakdown
Lawyers keep a record of the cases they’ve worked on, and one of the first questions you should ask during your initial talks is whether they can break that portfolio down for you or not.
Of course, you should expect a brief rundown and not an in-depth description of every case they’ve ever worked on, but just a brief explanation of their work will help with two things.
First, it will help you determine the success rate that we talked about already. You should still ask them outright and check reviews and testimonials, but this is another resource.
Then, it helps you see the types of cases they’ve taken on and won.
“Personal injury” is a very broad term. It can include a wide variety of situations that are dramatically different. If your lawyer has only dealt with injuries caused at work sites, and you were accidentally injured due to a yard sign or a poorly built deck, that lawyer won’t have the experience necessary to give you the best chance of winning.
Now, most law firms have experience with several types of personal injury lawsuits. So, you shouldn’t expect to find a specialist who only handles your specific type of case. However, making sure they have helped others in your predicament is paramount.
4. Years of Service to the Community
Lawyers typically work in an isolated area. This gives them an advantage. The longer they’ve worked in one region, the more time they’ve had to engage with the court system, develop an understanding of what to expect, and generally know how to best approach cases with different judges and opposing teams.
Every lawyer needs their first client, but you should aim to get someone who has worked extensively not only in the legal field but in the area you’re going to be handling your case in.
5. Get References
A few things help you find a good lawyer like getting several references from friends and family who have already had great experiences. If you know someone who has had a case they had to handle, see who their lawyer was. They care about you, and they won’t recommend a subpar service.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows someone who has had a personal injury case. So, this might not be an option. Also, even if you get a referral from a trusted family member, do your own research before you reach out.
6. Consider Multiple Law Firms
Don’t just pick the first law firm you’re referred to or find on the internet. Take the time to look at a couple of options and compare them. If it’s a close choice, consider consulting with both of them.
7. Choose Someone You Can Cooperate With
Finally, you’re going to work extensively with your lawyer during a very stressful time. You need to make sure that the lawyer you choose is someone you can cooperate with. They don’t need to be your best friend, but you should be comfortable, and they should be trustworthy.
Get the Legal Support You Need with Scott D. DeSalvo Law
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is crucial to securing the compensation and justice you deserve. At the Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, we specialize in a wide range of personal injury cases, whether it’s a car accident, work injury, slip and fall, motorcycle accident, or any other form of negligence.
With a commitment to client success and a deep understanding of personal injury law, we fight tirelessly to ensure you get the best outcome possible. Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you navigate your case with confidence and peace of mind.
Don’t leave your future to chance—trust Scott D. DeSalvo Law to be your advocate in the fight for justice.
