When you experience an injury or accident that is the result of someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or misconduct, you need to get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer. These specialized attorneys play an important role in representing your case and making sure you get the compensation you deserve.
How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer: 7 Steps to Take
Finding an experienced personal injury lawyer can be challenging. There are thousands of personal injury law firms ready to meet with you. How do you ensure you hire the attorney who will be the best fit?
By researching the personal injury attorneys in your area and interviewing the top candidates, you will hire the right lawyer to handle your personal injury case.
Follow these steps to get started.
1. Determine Your Criteria
Consider what you are looking for in a personal injury lawyer. They need to have experience in not only personal injury law but also in your type of case. If, for example, you were in a motor vehicle accident, a law firm focused on medical malpractice may not be the right fit.
You also may want to find attorneys that are accessible to you. Non-native English speakers may be more comfortable working with lawyers that speak your native language, such as Spanish-speaking attorneys.
2. Ask for Referrals from Friends and Family
Talk with your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, or anyone else who has needed the services of a personal injury attorney in the past. If they had a good experience and a positive outcome, add that law firm to your list of possible candidates.
3. Contact Lawyers You Already Know
Lawyers have extensive networks—and most attorneys know someone who specializes in personal injury law.
If you know a lawyer personally or have worked with an attorney before for a legal matter, ask them to refer your case to a colleague. They may be able to recommend a personal injury attorney in their office or elsewhere that could be a good fit for your situation.
4. Use a Lawyer Referral Service
Local bar associations or other lawyer referral services offer lists of lawyers in different legal specialties. The Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service and the Illinois State Bar Association’s Illinois Lawyer Finder are both good places to start.
Before working with a lawyer referral service, make sure you figure out their selection process. What are their requirements before including an attorney on their list? How carefully are lawyers selected?
5. Check Reviews from Past Clients
Online reviews are an easy way to narrow down your list of contenders. Check out online reviews from past clients for each personal injury attorney you are considering. These reviews provide valuable insights into the experience, communication style, and work ethic of each lawyer.
One or two negative reviews is nothing to worry about. Instead, look for common themes and patterns. If most clients have something positive to say about their experience, it’s a good sign. If more than a couple of the reviews mention the same complaint, you may want to look elsewhere.
6. Shortlist Top Candidates
Based on your research, create a shortlist of your top three to five candidates. Then, before moving further, perform one last audit of your list. Start by checking each attorney’s standing with the state bar association. Additionally, read the bio on their website. If there are any immediate red flags, you can cross the candidate off your list.
7. Meet with and Interview Several Lawyers
Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation. Take advantage of this service—meet with and interview several lawyers before making a decision.
Bring documents related to your case, ask lots of questions, and get a feel for their personality and communication style. You’ll quickly see which personal attorney is right for your case.
4 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
During your consultations with potential personal injury lawyers, it’s important to pay attention to their communication style. You’ll be working with your attorney one-on-one throughout the settlement or trial process, so it’s important to find someone you are comfortable speaking with as well as a lawyer who is easy to get in contact with.
When meeting, ask careful questions about their experience and your situation. Does the attorney seem interested in your specific case? Do they take the time to thoughtfully answer your questions? Are they listening to your concerns?
Their answer to these questions—as well as their overall communication style—will help you decide if the lawyer is a good fit for your personal injury case.
1. What Kinds of Personal Injury Cases Do They Specialize In?
Some personal injury lawyers handle a wide variety of cases on a daily basis, while others specialize in a certain type of personal injury law. You want to find an attorney with experience in cases like yours so they have the skills and knowledge necessary to handle your case.
2. How Long Have They Been Handling Personal Injury Cases?
Experience matters. How long an attorney has been handling personal injury cases has a direct impact on the outcome of your case. Look for personal injury lawyers with a strong history in personal injury case law.
3. What Are the Law Firm’s Fee Structure and Contract Terms?
After dealing with an injury or accident, the last thing you need is to worry about fees and contracts. Ask about the law firm’s fee structure and contract terms so there are no surprises.
A majority of personal injury law firms work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee is a percentage of the total award amount you receive, which can be anywhere from 33% to 40%. The key is that you only pay this fee if the lawyer wins your case.
However, even for firms that charge you on a contingency basis, there may be other costs involved. Case expenses such as court filing fees and evidence gathering costs may not be included. Clarify this fee structure during the consultation meeting.
4. What Is Their Track Record for Personal Injury Cases?
It’s not enough to know that the attorney has handled a lot of personal injury cases. You also need to consider their track record of success.
Look for a personal injury lawyer with a history of securing compensation for clients with cases like yours. It will give you peace of mind and confidence that your case is in good hands.
Contact an Experienced Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one have been injured on the job or as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Vasilatos Injury Law. We have represented hundreds of personal injury clients and obtained millions of dollars in awards for our clients in Chicago and across Illinois.
Our personal injury attorneys have experience in all aspects of personal injury law, and we are dedicated to helping our clients get the best possible compensation. Regardless of the nature of your case, you can rely on us to guide you toward a favorable outcome for you and your family.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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