How to Find a Good Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury law is a field of civil law that allows injured victims to sue for compensation if someone else’s negligence caused their serious accident.

This compensation can cover economic and non-economic damages, including lost wages, medical bills, future medical costs, property damage, therapy bills, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The burden of proof in personal injury claims is slightly lower than in criminal cases. The claimant must prove the at-fault party is likely responsible for the accident that caused the victim’s injuries.

Winning a personal injury case requires extensive knowledge, compelling evidence, and an understanding of individual rights. Hiring the right personal injury lawyer is crucial to increasing your chances of winning. Let’s discuss how you should proceed when choosing a personal injury lawyer to represent your interests in a civil lawsuit.

Understanding Your Needs

Understanding your needs is essential to find the perfect personal injury lawyer. Most personal injury cases are unique, so you must choose the right attorney with relevant experience who will give you the best chance of a successful claim. Here are a few strategies for understanding your needs and using them to select a personal injury lawyer for your case.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Many personal injury cases exist, and lawyers may specialize in specific categories. Some of the most common claims are for car accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, nursing home abuse, dog bites, and wrongful death.

The type of case you have should narrow down which personal injury attorneys are suitable for your claim. You must choose a law firm with relevant experience in that field to improve your chances of success.

Severity of Injuries

The type of injury suffered in the accident may dictate which personal injury lawyer is best for the job.

For example, more catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may call for legal professionals who understand these cases with heftier damages and a more significant lifestyle impact. The more complex your case is, the more you need a personal injury lawyer with specialized expertise.

Sources for Finding Lawyers

Finding a personal injury lawyer is the first step when considering a lawsuit. You need legal advice from the get-go to have a strong chance of victory, so researching your local legal community is essential. Here are a few strategies for finding solid legal representation for your personal injury case.

Referrals

Referrals are a great way to connect with injury lawyers. If you know friends, family, or other trusted individuals with experience with these lawsuits, they can recommend a qualified attorney.

You can acquire referrals from other professionals. For example, if you see an orthopedic specialist after a car accident, the doctor may have connections with a legal team who has helped other car accident victims. Referrals are trustworthy because they come from people with positive experiences with a specific personal injury lawyer.

Online Research

The easiest way to find a local and experienced lawyer is to conduct online research. Many databases can help you find the right legal team, including Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Justia.

These resources can connect you with a reputable Chicago personal injury law firm like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. From there, you can check the individual websites of each law firm to assess their services.

State Bar Associations

Every state has a Bar Association. Lawyers must pass the Bar to receive their credentials, allowing them to practice law in a specific state. You can visit your state’s Bar Association website to find a personal injury lawyer from your area.

Local Bar associations will likely include contact information and website links for each law firm practicing personal injury law in that state.

Local Legal Aid Organizations

Depending on where you live, there may also be local organizations that help injured people connect with personal injury attorneys to file claims. Many of these organizations focus on helping those with limited means access legal representation. If you know of a local legal aid entity in your state or town, you can contact them to find a personal injury lawyer.

Evaluating Potential Lawyers

Now that you have done your research, you may have several names or law offices in mind to represent your interests. Choosing the best personal injury attorney comes down to how you evaluate them. Here are a few metrics to consider when assessing personal injury lawyers for your needs.

Experience and Expertise

One of the primary indicators of success for a personal injury lawyer is experience. Generally, most lawyers with years of expertise fare better with case outcomes. There are exceptions, of course, but working with a medical malpractice lawyer with decades of expertise over a new attorney fresh out of law school makes sense.

Your personal injury lawyer should also have direct experience with cases relevant to your claim. You don’t want a premises liability lawyer supporting your defective medical device claim.

Track Record

Your lawyer’s track record is also highly relevant. If you discover they have a history of losing cases for injured clients or securing minimal compensation, they are probably not the right lawyer for your needs. Research the firm’s past cases and outcomes to assess their success rate.

Communication and Accessibility

Expertise and success rates are essential, but another crucial consideration for your personal injury lawyer is their communication skills.

Clear communication is necessary when navigating the claims process, especially if you have a complicated personal injury claim. The right personal injury lawyer will be accessible at all times and respond to every communication promptly.

Honesty is also important, so if you notice other clients have reviewed the firm and observed dishonest communication, you should look elsewhere for an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Fees and Payment Structures

Personal injury victims often face financial challenges after their accidents. The cost of medical treatment, therapy, lost income, and non-economic losses can be high, making it impossible for them to afford attorney fees.

Research the payment structure for each personal injury lawyer you are considering. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid out of the settlement if they win.

However, plenty of other lawyers require hourly payments or upfront legal fees. As long as you understand the payment structure, you can choose whichever model best suits your needs.

Client Reviews and Testimonials

You should only hire a personal injury attorney after you look for client reviews and testimonials. Not only should they have plenty of four- or five-star reviews, but there should also be detailed testimonies describing the benefits of working with them.

Reviews are helpful because past clients may have dealt with cases similar to yours, so you will get a glimpse of how the claim may play out and if it was successful. Did the attorney secure enough compensation from the insurance company to cover the client’s losses? These reviews will help you gauge the lawyer’s reputation and client satisfaction.

Questions to Ask During Consultations for a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Many personal injury firms will offer consultations where potential clients can ask questions about the legal process. Since many of these consultations are free, you should take advantage of this time to ask each personal injury lawyer essential questions. Here are a few suggestions for questions to ask during a consultation.

Experience with Similar Cases

One of the first questions you should ask is if they have experience with cases similar to yours. If they do not, this could immediately signal that they are a poor fit for your needs.

However, if they have worked on cases related to your personal injury claim, ask them questions about the outcomes and how they investigated those cases. It could provide valuable insight into how they will approach your case.

Case Strategy

It is crucial to understand how a particular personal injury lawyer operates. What is their strategy for investigating the case, gathering evidence, and negotiating for financial compensation? If their answer is unclear or unsatisfactory, consider moving on.

Communication and Updates

Although the communication strategy is complicated to determine before working with your personal injury lawyer, it always helps to ask about it upfront. Ask them how they will communicate and update you about the case.

If they have a firm communication policy that highlights accessibility and frequency, it is a good indicator of an available personal injury lawyer.

Fees and Costs

You must also ask the firm about their payment structure and fees.

Do they work on a contingency fee basis or an hourly rate? Are there other costs associated with the investigation that will be paid upfront? What percentage of the settlement would they receive before you are compensated for legal damages?

Even if they can only get into specifics after thoroughly investigating your claim, at least you will understand these costs.

Expected Timeframe

Ask a personal injury lawyer about the expected timeframe for resolving your claim. Some lawyers may be able to work faster than others based on caseload and the firm’s resources. If you need a quick resolution to cover financial losses, then you should ask each lawyer the expected timeframe for your claim to be completed.

Red Flags to Watch Out For With Personal Injury Attorneys

You must always be on the lookout for red flags when attempting to find the best personal injury lawyer. Here are a few concerning signs that a particular attorney is the wrong fit for your needs.

Unrealistic Promises

Some lawyers will do whatever it takes to convince clients to sign contracts and pay them. They may guarantee specific outcomes or make unrealistic promises to achieve this end.

Watch out for lawyers who promise a particular settlement amount or guaranteed timeline for resolving your case. More often than not, they fall short of these promises, and the victim is hung out to dry.

Pressure to Sign

If you feel pressured to sign a contract with a personal injury lawyer, you should walk away and reevaluate. You should only sign agreements after fully understanding the terms and conditions. Review the terms before signing to ensure you know the terms and conditions.

Lack of Communication

Usually, an experienced personal injury attorney will be very communicative. They understand the importance of keeping clients informed. Therefore, if you notice your lawyer failing to respond to communications or not speaking with you often, this could be a red flag that may undermine your chances of winning the compensation you deserve.

Negative Reviews or Complaints

While no personal injury lawyer has a perfect record, negative reviews and complaints are always red flags. Did the lawyer behave with misconduct or receive disciplinary actions because of their behavior? Are there numerous reviews complaining about poor communication or small personal injury settlements? Avoid hiring lawyers with multiple negative reviews.

Choose a Personal Injury Attorney You Can Trust!

You need the right Chicago personal injury lawyer to handle your case. Whether you are filing a claim related to medical malpractice law, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, or even dog bites, an experienced attorney can significantly affect your compensation claim.

The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has the expertise and compassion needed for handling personal injury cases. We understand the challenges you face when dealing with emotional trauma, physical recovery, and financial stress. When you need the best personal injury attorney for your case, our firm is ready to serve you.

We offer a free case evaluation so you can ask any questions about personal injury litigation or our experience. Call us today at 888-424-5757 or complete the online form to request your free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.