How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Law Firm

Need to find a personal injury law firm after a car crash?

Making the wrong decision can cost you thousands in lost compensation. And with over 60,000 law firms across the U.S. specializing in personal injury cases, it can feel daunting to make the right choice.

Here’s the reality…

The right legal representation makes a world of difference. Research from the Insurance Research Council found that victims who hired an attorney received settlements that were 3.5 times higher than those who handled the claim independently.

That’s not a marginal increase. That’s a difference that changes lives.

What you’ll learn:

• Why It’s Important To Hire A Personal Injury Law Firm
• 6 Important Things To Consider
• Questions You Should Ask Before Signing
• Signs Of A Problematic Personal Injury Law Firm

Why It’s Important To Hire A Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal injury lawyers deal with cases that all result from someone else’s negligence. The most common kind of case is that of auto accidents. In fact, they make up over half of the personal injury claims made each year.

And here’s the kicker…

Automobile accident injury claims can be really complicated. Insurance companies often have entire teams whose job is to settle claims for as little money as possible.

That’s where having experienced accident injury lawyers helps level the playing field. They know how to build strong cases that hold insurers accountable for maximum compensation.

The stats make this clear:

Statistics from Nolo reveal that 91% of people with legal representation saw a settlement payout. Compare that to only 51% of those without an attorney.

Pretty big difference, right?

Personal injury law firms handle the legal aspects of filing an injury claim. This includes evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, and representing clients in court if necessary.

6 Important Things To Consider

Personal injury law firms vary by specializations, case type, and location. Finding the one that works best for the specific injury case means looking at several key factors.

Let’s get into these:

1. Case Type Specialization

Law firms specialize in different types of personal injury claims.

The most important factor is experience handling the specific type of case that needs legal representation.

For auto accidents, look for a firm with tons of experience in car injury claims. Ask them how many they’ve taken on and what the average settlement has been.

2. Firm Reputation And Client Reviews

Research online reviews from past clients. What do people say about the firm’s services?

Pay attention to patterns. Do clients talk about good communication? Did they feel supported?

A law firm’s reputation goes a long way toward revealing the quality of service they’ll provide.

3. Resources And Staff Size

The kinds of cases that personal injury law firms handle take a lot of resources. From expert witnesses and medical professionals to investigators, these things don’t come cheap.

A big law firm with large staff and resources will likely be able to spend more on building a case. But this doesn’t mean small firms are to be ruled out. Smaller firms sometimes offer more personalized attention.

4. Firm’s Communication Style

This factor often gets left out of discussions and considerations, but it’s critical.

A good personal injury law firm keeps their clients in the loop and informed at every stage of the case. They answer calls, return texts, and email their clients with frequent updates.

They also break down legal jargon into terms that the client can easily understand.

Pay attention to the communication style of a firm during the initial consultation. If they seem too busy to give the case their attention then imagine how they’ll act once they actually have the case.

5. Case Results And Settlement Statistics

One of the most important things to consider when researching personal injury law firms is their history of results.

Ask about their past case results. How many have they won? What percentage of cases go to trial versus settling? What was the average settlement amount in the past few years?

While past performance is not a guarantee of future results, it does paint a good picture of what to expect.

6. Fee Structure And Transparency

The majority of personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they win the case for the client. The standard fee is between 33% and 40%.

Here’s an important thing to keep in mind:

Be sure to understand how the percentage is calculated. Court filing fees, expert witness fees, and administrative fees all come out of the settlement before the client receives their money.

A reputable personal injury law firm will be totally transparent about all of these fees up front with no hesitation.

Questions To Ask Before Signing

Before making the decision to hand a personal injury case over to a law firm, be sure to ask the following questions:

• What is their experience with the specific type of case?
• How many similar cases have they won in the past?
• What percentage of cases settle out of court versus going to trial?
• Who will actually be working on the case?
• How do they typically communicate updates to clients?
• What is the firm’s fee structure?

Signs Of A Problematic Personal Injury Law Firm

It’s easy to assume that because a business is a law firm they know what they’re doing. But some signs indicate that a personal injury firm is a bad choice.

1. Guaranteed Results

No ethical and reputable attorney can guarantee a specific settlement amount for an injury case. The outcome of every case depends on the facts of the specific situation.

If a firm is promising a certain payout before even looking at the case details, walk away.

2. High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Good and reputable personal injury law firms don’t have to use aggressive and high-pressure sales tactics to get clients. They let their results speak for themselves.

If a firm representative is pressuring you to sign on the spot then it’s a sign that they may be inexperienced or desperate.

3. Poor Communication

Have you experienced issues reaching the law firm during the initial consultation? Do they respond quickly to emails or phone calls?

Difficulty communicating before taking on the case is a huge red flag. The way they treat you before the case is how they will treat you while on the case.

4. Lack Of Trial Experience

Personal injury cases that go to trial are few and far between. Roughly 95% of cases are settled before going to trial. Insurance companies know which law firms will actually take a case to trial if necessary.

Firms that have the experience and history of going to trial often see better and higher settlements. Why? Because the insurance companies know they will fight.

Making The Final Call

After weighing all these factors, it’s time to make the final decision on the personal injury law firm to hire.

Take your time in the research process and consider several options before choosing one.

Set up consultations with at least three personal injury law firms. Most firms offer free initial meetings to assess the case.

Trust your gut and pay attention to how the firm makes you feel. Comfort and trust are important in such a stressful situation.

Remember this one thing:

The personal injury law firm that you choose is going to be in your life for a while. They’re your partner in recovering as much compensation as possible for the injuries sustained.

Take the time and energy to make the right choice.

Bringing It All Together

The importance of choosing the right personal injury law firm after a car accident can’t be overstated.

By focusing on things like specialization, reputation, communication, and transparency, you can compare firms and narrow down the choices.

The statistics are proof that having the proper legal representation results in better outcomes. Higher settlements, less stress, and more time for recovery.

Start by doing online research and looking up reviews. Then, schedule consultations with several firms. The right partner is out there waiting to help secure the best possible outcome for the accident injury case.

Don’t delay. Take action now.