What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer

Finding an attorney is a daunting task, especially when you aren't sure what you should be looking for when choosing an attorney.

After all, if you get into an accident or are injured, and believe that you have a case that has some legal merit, who should you turn to?

Sure, there are the lawyers that your friends or family might recommend to you. Finding an attorney through a recommendation of a friend may be a good way to assess the qualifications of an attorney. But, there are other things that you should also consider - and do - when choosing a personal injury attorney.

Practice area. First and foremost, you should be concerned about what practice area the attorney specializes in. There are many different facets of personal injury law, ranging from worker's compensation, animal bites, slip and fall cases, to drug liability.

Fee arrangements. When hiring an attorney, attorney's fees are something that both you and your attorney should come to an agreement about. Some personal injury attorneys will work on a contingent fee basis, meaning that they will take a portion of the damages that will be awarded to you.

Interview the attorney. Hiring a personal injury attorney means finding an advocate for your case. In that sense, meeting with or consulting with an attorney can provide insight as to how they might work with your personality, and whether or not you trust them with your case.

Referrals from past clients. Rave reviews from past clients who have similar cases to you may be indicative of how well your case can go. But, of course, every case is different, so just because an attorney has had successes in the past does not necessarily mean he will always be successful.

Finding an attorney for your personal injury case is one of the first - and likely the most important steps toward winning your legal case. And, it's a step that might take some time - choosing a personal injury attorney might mean consulting with a few different attorneys in order to determine if they're right for you.

Related Resources:

• Guide to Hiring a Lawyer (FindLaw)
• Choosing the Right Lawyer (FindLaw)
• Personal Injury - Get Help Now (FindLaw)