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How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer

How do you Decide what Lawyer is Right for you?

This is a guide about how to choose a personal injury lawyer. Hiring a lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make on behalf of you and your family. For some people, hiring a lawyer may be a whimsical decision, based purely on advertisements. For others, the choice of who to hire is based on the attorney’s experience, skill, reputation, and expertise in handling personal injury cases.

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Contents

Chapter 1 Insurance Companies Evaluate Your Lawyers to Determine the Value of Your Personal Injury Case
Chapter 2 12 Questions You Need to Ask Any Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring Them
Chapter 3 When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Chapter 4 How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Claim
Chapter 5 Why Should You Hire a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
Chapter 6 Why You Want to Hire a Trial Lawyer, Not a Settling Lawyer
Chapter 7 Your Lawyer Should Know the Science and Medicine of Injuries

Insurance Companies Evaluate Your Lawyers to Determine the Value of Your Personal Injury Case

Consider this: how do you think insurance companies evaluate plaintiff’s attorneys? What do you think are the most important factors that an insurance company takes into consideration about your lawyer before they offer you any money? Here’s the key – insurance companies hate risk.

folder with personal injury lawyer evaluation documents

Insurance companies like to control the entire personal injury case process. The one thing that creates a risk to insurance companies that causes them to make higher settlement offers quickly is which lawyer you hire. Insurance companies consider your lawyer’s skill, education, reputation, and, most importantly, their track record of filing lawsuits and taking cases to trial.

Any lawyer, or even a big law firm, that won’t take their cases to trial is no risk or danger to insurance companies. This is why it is so important to learn how to choose a personal injury lawyer.

What if I Don’t Want a Trial? How Can I Still get Full-Value for my Personal Injury Claim?

Sure, everyone hopes their case will settle without a fight. But think about it. Wouldn’t you agree that having a seasoned, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer is the best way to increase the risk to an insurance company and, accordingly, having them offer a fair settlement to you? You need to hire the lawyer the insurance companies hope you don’t hire.

Hire a lawyer the insurance company is afraid. Lawyers that scare the insurance companies care more about their clients and will successfully take them to trial. Insurance companies pay fair value to the clients of aggressive, talented trial lawyers.

Also, just because you hire a trial lawyer does not mean a suit will be filed. It doesn’t mean you will necessarily end up in trail either. But by hiring a trial lawyer, you improve the chances of your case settling sooner and for a higher value. Since insurance companies don’t want to take any risk, they don’t want to make a lowball offer and face having a lawsuit filed against them.

Why You Need a Specialist in Personal Injury

Before you hire an attorney, make sure the attorney is experienced in the type of law you need help with. It’s important to know how to choose a personal injury lawyer for your specific type of claim. Make sure the lawyer devotes most of their practice to that area of law.

Whether it’s family law, criminal law, bankruptcy law, or personal injury law, each area of law has lawyers who specialize in those areas. Therefore, they are more familiar with the processes associated with them. There are more important traits you need to look for when learning how to choose a personal injury lawyer.

Why You Need a Specialist In PI

Quick Video on How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer:

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12 Questions You Need to Ask Any Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring Them:

These are the types of questions you will need answered to know how to choose a personal injury lawyer that can handle your case the best:

woman asking personal injury lawyers questions
  1. How long have they been doing personal injury work?
  2. Are they Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Civil Trials?
  3. Are they Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy?
  4. Ask if they are prepared to go to trial if it is necessary in your case.
  5. Do they have the financial resources to pay for the investigation and costs of your case?
  6. Do they require you to pay any up-front costs?
  7. Will they handle your case on a contingency fee basis, so they only get paid if they make a successful recovery for you?
  8. How many times have they gone to a jury trial with a case like yours?
  9. Have they ever lectured and taught other lawyers about personal injury law?
  10. Have they written any books or articles regarding personal injury cases?
  11. Ask about their knowledge regarding the medical issues and doctors in your type of case.
  12. Do they just sign up clients, then refer them away if they can’t get a quick settlement?

The answers to these 12 questions will help you find a great personal injury lawyer that can handle your case in the best possible way for you.

When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Time is not on your side because it is slowly reducing the value of your claim. You must quickly select the best lawyer for you and your family so they can start representing you immediately. Good legal advice is one of the greatest preventative measures a lawyer can provide to you.

woman shaking hands with personal injury lawyer

Good advice cannot only save you money in the long run, but it can also save you from unpleasant mistakes.

The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is as true with legal matters as it is with regular medical checkups. Often, clients turn to lawyers as a last resort after the insurance company has made an offer. Or, even worse, after a recorded statement has been given or after key evidence has gone missing.

If you have a moment, save your case by reading my article about how to deal with insurance adjusters to learn why you should NEVER give the other side a recorded statement. EVER! It’s probably the second most important thing to learn next to knowing how to choose a personal injury lawyer.

How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Claim

Here’s the Deal: Avoid Lawyers Who Don’t Focus on Personal Injury

There are many lawyers who claim to be personal injury lawyers when, in fact, they have little or no experience in filing lawsuits and going all the way to trial.

person with cell phone choosing the best personal injury lawyer

By hiring an experienced and qualified personal injury trial lawyer in the beginning, your case will move efficiently. Therefore, you will avoid many of the common mistakes inexperienced lawyers make in personal injury cases.

BEWARE: Many Lawyers Advertise and Settle Cases for Less than their Worth!

Many lawyers advertise a lot only to sign up cases and settle them for less than they’re worth. So, if they can’t settle your case, they refer it to another lawyer to do the hard work. They think most people don’t know how to choose a personal injury lawyer and influence people with advertisements.

Big advertising firms usually treat their cases like cattle. They push them through the system and slaughter them at the end for less than the true value of the case. Insurance companies keep track of those firms and when you hire them to handle your case, insurance companies offer you less money. This is because they know your lawyer will pressure you to take less like they did their previous injury clients.

Big advertising lawyers just want to get paid fast. They make their money on the pure high volume of their case load. They process cases like a meat factory: as quickly and cheaply as possible. Knowing how to choose a personal injury lawyer will save you from the slaughter house.

money with settlement documents and a gavel

Insurance Companies Base the Amount they Offer on the Lawyer you Hire

They keep track of lawyers and law firms that settle cases for low values. This means when you hire a big firm or a lawyer that never goes to trial and just settles cases, a lower value will be placed on your claim.

That’s why it is so important to hire a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer who takes their cases seriously and fight all the way to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers and law firms fight for their clients and place higher values on their cases.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal injury lawyer?

Almost every personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis. Which means you don’t pay anything unless you win the case. The attorney is only paid at the end of the case. They are paid a percentage. The fees typically range from 25% to ⅓ to 40%. Plus the costs associated with bringing your case to settlement or trial. Costs are usually things like medical records or expert witnesses.

Why Should You Hire a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer?

What is a Board Certified Lawyer?

When a lawyer is Board Certified, they are recognized as an expert in their area of law. Board Certified Lawyers have special knowledge, skills, proficiency, and have a high level of professionalism. It is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar.

board certified civil trial lawyer in his office

I, Matt Powell, am Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar. I am also Board Certified by the National Association of Trial Advocacy.  These distinctions allow me to be called an expert at taking civil cases to trial.

Are Board Certified Lawyers More Expensive?

No, the Florida Bar regulates contingency fees. So most personal injury lawyers charge the same exact fee. If every attorney charges the same fee, why not hire one who is an expert in personal injury cases?

You need a lawyer who enjoys spending time in the courtroom. One who has a history of holding wrongdoers accountable for their negligence; a lawyer who knows what to do based upon years of specialized training and experience; one who has a passion for justice. Hire a lawyer with a history of successfully winning for their clients in trial.

As Time Passes, Your Case Value Decreases – Don’t Wait to Hire a Lawyer!

Since the attorney fees are the same no matter when you hire them, why not take advantage of advice from a board certified civil trial sooner than later? As a result, it will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the future. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more valuable your claim is worth.

Why You Want to Hire a Trial Lawyer, Not a Settling Lawyer

Well, no one really wants to go to trial. Trials are fraught with stress, expense, and risk. So if someone said, “Hey, don’t hire a trial lawyer because you don’t want to go to trial,” they are doing you a big disservice. Here is how and why a trial lawyer will get you a larger settlement:

choose trial personal injury lawyer over settling personal injury lawyer

TWO SCENARIOS: Two Identical Cases with Two Different Types of Lawyers

Scenario 1 – Lawyer Who Only Settles Cases and Never Goes to Trial:

Lawyers who never go to trial are not much of a threat to the insurance company. Imagine you work for an insurance company and your job is a claims adjuster. You decide how much to pay injured people. Your goal is to pay as little as possible because this is how your performance is measured. The less you pay out in claims, the more money you save the insurance company. Which will increase your chance of receiving raises and bonuses.

So as an insurance claims adjuster, you have two similar cases with similar injuries and liability. The only difference is the lawyer who represents the injured people. Let’s assume that one lawyer settles every case, and the other is an experienced trial lawyer.

Think like an insurance adjuster who wants to save the insurance company money. How should you pay these two identical claims with the only difference being the lawyers? What will the lawyer who never goes to trial do if the insurance company adjuster only offers 50% of the value of the case?

Well, knowing they won’t file a suit, or won’t go to trial, this lawyer has no leverage or ability to fight for you to increase the value of your case. So the lawyers only option is to encourage you to take the low offer. Or the lawyer has to tell you to hire another lawyer and get less or no fee. Learning how to choose a personal injury lawyer will help you avoid these types of attorneys.

settling personal injury lawyer scenario 1
personal injury trial lawyer scenario 2

Scenario 2 – Lawyer Who Fights for their Clients All the Way to Trial:

Now look at the contrast between the lawyer who settles all of his cases and never files a lawsuit. The insurance adjuster must decide how much to pay the injured victim with the lawyer who consistently files suit and takes them to trial. If the adjuster offers this lawyer the paltry 50% of the value of the case, this lawyer knows exactly what to do.

The lawyer will file a suit, let a jury decide what your case is worth, and seek the full value of your case. Because the injured person hired a trial lawyer, you as the adjuster knows the insurance company will have to spend a lot of money to pay for a lawyer to defend the case.

Now the case just got a lot more expensive for the insurance company with the added costs of the defense lawyer. Also, now they have to pay “Insurance Doctors” to examine the injured person. They pay the “Insurance Doctor” to come to court and testify about your injuries.

Trial is Extremely Expensive for Insurance Companies

Then the insurance company takes the risk of an excess verdict in your case. By hiring a lawyer willing to go to trial, the insurance company will likely end up paying the full value of your claim. At the same time, the insurance company incurs the additional expense of defending the case.

From a business standpoint, it’s in the insurance companies best interest to pay the trial lawyer fair value for the claim. Because in the long run, they will save money. However, factor in that a jury may award full compensation for the injured victim.

Now the insurance company has been forced to spend money on its lawyers, doctors, and still has to pay the value of the claim. The insurance company will obviously value a person’s claim much higher when that person has a lawyer who knows how to try a case and can win.

So in these two scenarios, it is in the insurance companies best financial interest to pay the trial lawyer’s client a fair settlement to avoid the cost and risk of a trial. Learning how to choose a personal injury lawyer can save you and your family time and money.

Your Lawyer Should Know the Science and Medicine of Injuries

Make sure the lawyer you hire is very knowledgeable about science and medicine. The lawyer should understand the physics of things like car accidents. This is so they can hire the right experts and ask them the right questions.

personal injury lawyers studying x-ray

This is the same for medicine. Learning how to choose a personal injury lawyer with science and medical knowledge is key.

If your lawyer understands medicine, they will be more knowledgeable about the types of medical expert witnesses needed to prove your injuries. They will know the right questions to ask them. They will also know what to ask from your treating doctors to prove your case. Hiring a lawyer that doesn’t know that much about science and medicine will significantly devalue your claim.

If you Have Questions, Call Me

If you have any more questions about how to choose a personal injury lawyer, call my office at 813-222-2222. Ask to speak with me, Matt Powell, about your claim. Please let me know if you need any additional information on how to choose a personal injury lawyer.

74 Comments

  1. Skylar Williams on September 17, 2016 at 1:01 am

    That’s interesting that if you act quicker and get a lawyer as soon as possible you could get more on your claim. Maybe the reason behind that is procrastination shows it must not be that big of an issue. My sister has only been looking for a lawyer for a few days, hopefully, that won’t hurt her too much.

    • MattPowell on September 22, 2016 at 5:04 pm

      Hi Skylar, Thank you for your comment. I hope your sister is able to find an attorney who can help her with her claim. And as you said, the sooner the better because the attorney can start taking steps to preserve evidence, locate witnesses and let the insurance company know about the seriousness of the injuries. Good luck to your siter. Thank you again for your comment. Matt

  2. Maggie Allen on September 22, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    It is really nice that a lot of personal injury attorneys charge a similar contingency fee. When you have that, then it is a lot easier for you to focus on the quality and reputation of the attorney. Like you said, it makes sense to hire an expert if he or she costs just as much as someone who is newer. In fact, I would still hire the expert even if they were more expensive. After all, they might be the difference between a small settlement and a large one.

    • MattPowell on September 22, 2016 at 5:02 pm

      Hi Maggie, Thanks you for your comment. It is interesting that many people don’t know that attorneys specialize in certain areas, and can become board certified. Quite often the quality of a clients settlement or verdict is a result of the quality of their lawyer. Thanks again for your comment. Matt

  3. Olivia Nelson on September 23, 2016 at 1:10 am

    I like your advice on hiring a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. I would imagine that the sooner you start looking into legal recompensation the better it is for your case. My sister recently got into a car accident so maybe she should look for a lawyer now to help her out.

    • MattPowell on September 23, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      I agree that your sister should look for a good lawyer to help her out sooner rather than later. Tell her that most attorneys will give her a free consultation. And the sooner she gets good advice, the better. It is always unfortunate when people call my office long after an accident and I can’t find witnesses or evidence that would help them prove their case. Thanks for the comment and good luck to your sister. Matt

  4. Shad Morris on September 23, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    Personal injury has always been something that worries me a bit, and I was curious how you would fine one. I never knew that time was not on your side when making a claim. I would have thought that the law would be more on your side. Thanks for sharing all this great information.

  5. Sarah Smith on September 23, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    My dad needs to get a personal injury lawyer. Thanks for the advice about how you should get a lawyer that is board certified. It would also be important to get a lawyer that you get along with.

  6. Zequek Estrada on September 28, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    I agree with the warning of being careful when looking at lawyer’s advertisements. It seems like the best solution is to search for a couple different attorneys and then compare the cost. That’s sounds like a great solution to avoid that slaughterhouse situation that was mentioned.

  7. Tyler Meredith on October 7, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    It’s interesting that insurance companies can actually base the compensation they offer off the lawyer you hire. It makes sense that if you hire a well-known lawyer, an insurance company might offer more in compensation to help prevent any disputes. It’s something to keep in mind for any type of injury case as having a lawyer’s help could really have its benefits.

  8. roberta cash on October 28, 2016 at 5:25 am

    I took a bad fall because the company outside lighting was so poor that I couldnt see the walkway where it ended that i was stepping what looking like the end of the sideway causing my knee to be backward then foreward that I fell onto the hard ground hurting my hands and both knees that I had surgery on both hand and broke my knee cap an torn my ACL and MCL in my right knee and had a factor hip, my pain from1/15/2015 is the same as if I just falling again. I had a lawyer after all this time is walking away, my case will end 1/15/2017,I have no I idea why my lawyer is giving up when he had me with they doctor and in physical therapy for a year and ten month.I really have no idea what the problem.but if you can tell is there is a proble with my case.I gave the fast about my fall and I was very truthful about how the fall happen.can you tell me what is the problem. Thank you

  9. Olivia Nelson on November 9, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    I found your comment on how you should hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible interesting. I would imagine that the quicker you are in hiring someone the better chance at success you would have. My dad was recently in an accident so he should probably hire someone right away to represent him.

  10. Luke Smith on November 15, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    I like what you said about finding a lawyer who enjoys spending time in the courtroom and who has years of training and experience. Especially since they all charge the same fee, like you mentioned, it would make sense to find one with lots of experience. I imagine asking potential attorneys about the sorts of claims they’ve won in the past would be a great way to help you get a feel for the experience they have.

  11. Dennis Sanchez on November 17, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    You wrote that good legal advice is one of the greatest preventative measures a lawyer can provide to you. My cousin recently had a bit of an incident and was wondering if it was necessary to a personal injury attorney. Based on what you said, it could probably prove to be very helpful even if it doesn’t end up being a case. I’m sure my cousin would love to take any preventative measures to make sure he’s in the best legal position possible. Thanks for the read.

  12. Jasper Whiteside on November 18, 2016 at 11:22 pm

    I hadn’t heard that the case value can decrease as time passes. I have heard that you should wait until you are well enough to pursue the case. I suppose that it would be good to talk to your doctor and lawyer to determine the best balance between these two pieces of advice.

  13. Baxter Abel on November 23, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    I had no idea that insurance companies base the amount they offer on the personal injury lawyer you hire! I’ll have to look more into the work history and references that personal injury lawyers provide in order to find how much they’ve got settlements for in the past before I hire one in the future. Thanks for the tips, I’ll be passing them along to a friend of mine who is in need of a personal injury attorney.

  14. Zequek Estrada on January 11, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    I wasn’t aware that insurance companies took in account the attorney you hire. This is a great reason why you need to take the time to choose a good personal injury lawyer. It sounds like it’s essential for ensuring that things will be in your favor.

  15. Tomas Killington on January 11, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    Having a lawyer that will fight for you all the way to a trial is a valuable commodity. I had a personal injury a few years ago. I ended up being treated fairly and settling out of court, but I would definitely want an attorney that fights for my best interests.

  16. Derek Mcdoogle on January 13, 2017 at 1:52 am

    In your article, you stated that insurance companies like to control the entire personal injury case process and the one thing that creates risk to insurance companies that causes them to make higher settlement offers quickly is which lawyer you hire. My friend called me from the hospital because he was involved a rollover car accident. I wonder if most personal injury lawyers choose to specialize in certain types of injuries.

  17. John on January 23, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    I found the information in this article really helpful for understanding how Personal Injury Lawyers work and what their services can do for you. I think the article raises a great point in suggesting you should choose a lawyer that is board certified in personal injury trial law. I know I would feel comfortable knowing my lawyer had the proper certification to help me with my personal injury case.

  18. Frank Delaware on January 26, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    Thank you for all this helpful information about choosing an auto accident lawyer! One thing that stood out to me is that you say to find out if they are ready to go to court if necessary. Since you want to choose someone that has dealt with similar situations, it would be nice to know that they know how to deal with a court room.

  19. Ridley Fitzgerald on February 6, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    Thanks for the information about personal injury law. I agree that it vital to find a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law, so that they know all of the ins and outs of your case. If I ever get hurt on the job, or something, I will make sure to research personal injury lawyers specifically.

  20. Steve Daniel on February 21, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    Thanks for the information I believe we need to choose a lawyer who is Specialist in Personal Injury and who has excellent resources, who we can trust upon and who can get the rightful compensation we deserve.

  21. Jen Pack on March 13, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    I have a friend who was recently involved in a car accident. She is so busy right now with figuring out all the details of what to do to get through this, so I told her I would try and help her find a personal injury attorney to help her through the experience. It’s interesting to me that you suggest asking potential personal injury lawyers how many times they have gone to a jury trial with a case like hers. That way, we will know what kind of experience they have had and how they can relate to what she is going through.

  22. Chris Winters on March 17, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    I had no idea that you could hire a lawyer that the insurance company fears. My brother was recently severely injured in a car accident. I definitely think that we should find a personal injury attorney that could help us to receive some proper compensation.

  23. Rachel Lannister on April 17, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    You wrote that you should ask the attorney how many times they have been to jury trial with a case similar to yours. With how intense jury trial can be, it would make sense that you would want to work with someone who has been through it before. Since accidents are so common, I’ll have to follow your tips and find a good specialized attorney, in case me or any of my loved ones requires their expertise. Thanks for the article.

  24. Kylie Dotts on June 19, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    I like your advice to find a personal injury attorney who devotes most of their practice to the area of law that you have been involved in. The more experience that your lawyer has had defending in this area the more likely the outcome will be in your favor. It’s just like trying to hire someone to work on your home, you wouldn’t hire a plumber to do the work of a roofer or vice versa.

  25. Max Jones on September 13, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    My wife was in a car accident last week, and I think that being able to hire some personal injury lawyers to help make sure we get compensated would be good. I’m glad that you talked about making sure you hire someone who is going to be prepared to go to trial if necessary, which is something that I hadn’t really considered yet. I’m going to have to make sure that the lawyers we talk to about our personal injury case have trial experience, and that they think we can win our case! Thanks for the tip!

  26. Marcus on October 18, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    I liked how you said that it is recommended to choose an injury attorney that is willing to take your case to trial to get you the best results. It is important to remember that taking the time to do some research can help you find an attorney who can help you understand your case better and get the help you need to get the best outcome in your favor. My brother got injured in a motorcycle accident yesterday and wants to find a good attorney that can help him out, so I’m glad I found your post.

  27. Mark Finch on October 24, 2017 at 2:58 am

    Thank you for your article about hiring a personal injury attorney. I never knew that insurance companies look at my lawyer’s skill, education, reputation, and track record to evaluate how high the settlement will be. I imagine I’ll have to look for an attorney with a great track record as his skills will be most beneficial to me.

  28. Tammie Houston on November 8, 2017 at 7:46 am

    My brother is recently involved in a car accident, and he lost a lot because of it. I want to help him practice his rights by finding the right attorney for him. I agree with your idea of having an attorney that is experienced in handling cases that are similar to my brother because that will ensure that he is in safe hands. Thanks for the ideas. They’re really helpful!

  29. Marcus on November 28, 2017 at 12:28 am

    I agree with you in that it is important to choose a personal injury attorney that specializes in the type of cases you have. It is important to remember that taking the time to do some research and to compare several companies can help you find the best quality lawyer for the type of case you have. My brother slipped and fell in an accident a few days ago and wants to make sure he finds the best attorney to help him out, so I’m glad I found your post.

  30. Jeremy Thompson on December 2, 2017 at 1:58 am

    It’s nice that you mentioned that in time of need hiring a personal injury attorney as soon as possible is essential due to the value of your claim slowly reducing with each passing time. I’ll be sure to remember this and have potential PI attorneys at the ready whenever I’ll need them. Hopefully, I would be able to get one fast that’s specializing in my kind of case. Thanks!

  31. Hannah Schroeder on December 7, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    I appreciate what you said about how time reduces the value of your claim. My sister was injured in a car accident three weeks ago, and she’s just now realizing that she won’t be able to pay her hospital bills. A lot of time has passed since the accident, so she should probably get an injury lawyer before her claim devalues more than it already has.

  32. Elsa Anderson on December 14, 2017 at 11:45 pm

    I like how you mentioned that it’s important to make sure that the attorney I’ll be hiring is specializing to my needs since there is a lot of attorney specialization and having the specific one that excels in your case or needs is more favorable. That might be why my brother is asking me to find him a personal injury attorney specifically since he was just recently in a car accident. I’ll be sure to give your advice some try to help locate a reputable personal injury attorney to help my brother with his claims. Thanks!

  33. Hannah Neilson on January 2, 2018 at 11:42 pm

    Thanks for explaining that you need to find out if a lawyer is specialized. Finding someone specialized in personal injury would be really good. My brother is looking for an injury lawyer, so he’ll have to check if they are specialized.

  34. Vivian Black on February 7, 2018 at 3:01 am

    My sister and I had just been involved in an accident earlier while driving and she’s still in the hospital. That is why I am planning to get a personal injury attorney to help us get our insurance rightfully claimed while filing a case on the guy that crashed into us. You mentioning that it would be wise to find a reputable one as soon as possible as our claim’s value is reducing with time is something I will be sure to heed. Hopefully, I can get the best one I could manage to get for us. Thanks!

  35. Hannah Neilson on February 16, 2018 at 2:27 am

    Thanks for the idea of checking how long a lawyer has been doing personal injury work. It would be smart to consider this because it would help ensure that they have had time to learn all the rules and regulations. I’m looking for an accident lawyer to help after an auto accident, so I’ll have to consider how long they have been operating.

  36. Earnest Watkins on February 22, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    I was interested how you mentioned that it’s better to find a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later. This is helpful since my cousin was recently injured in a car crash, but wasn’t sure if she wanted to seek legal help. I’ll definitely let her know that she needs to act as soon as possible to ensure she gets a good chance at having a good settlement to her claim.

  37. Julius Amberfield on March 28, 2018 at 12:43 am

    It was great how you pointed out that hiring a lawyer after the accident is important as that will ensure that they start representing the person immediately and receive the right advice that will save them money. If that is the case, then I will surely suggest my friend’s family look for a personal injury lawyer for her right away. Surely they want to settle the case while saving money. I think this will help out the most. Thanks!

  38. Gerty Gift on April 16, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    Thank you for mentioning that you should try to find someone who understands the science and medicine behind car accidents so that they can hire the right professionals. I have a friend who has been looking for some help with this kind of situation. I think that this would really help him so that he can find someone who would really do the best job.

  39. Joy Butler on April 20, 2018 at 12:07 am

    You did a great job in explaining the things that we should know in choosing a personal injury lawyer in full details. I have a cousin who’s working as a machinist and got injured at work. Unfortunately, his left hand was damaged. I will be forwarding this to him via email so he could understand what he needs to be done for his case.

  40. Aronberg Law on May 7, 2018 at 5:39 am

    Very informative and this is awesome suggestions to hire a personal injury lawyer Thanks for the guideline. It’s very helpful.

  41. Ashley Maxwell on May 18, 2018 at 2:14 am

    Thanks for your comment about how a personal injury attorney should be insured. I also like how you said that they should be experienced and talented. My husband and I are looking for a personal injury attorney that is experienced for my cousin who was in a car accident.

  42. Bethany Birchridge on June 29, 2018 at 4:29 pm

    I loved you tip to ask if they have taught other lawyers about personal injury law; this could really help you see how experienced and qualified they are. My friend actually slipped and fell at work, so she’s been looking for a good lawyer to help her. I’ll make sure to share this great article with her.

  43. John on August 1, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    That makes sense that companies like to control the entire personal injury case. I can see how hiring a lawyer and having that counsel would give them pause. My dad was in an accident recently and can’t work; it’ll be important that we find good representation for him.

  44. Duncan Lance on August 21, 2018 at 11:52 pm

    I do like that your article recommends ignoring attorneys who do not specialize in personal injury. After all, because there are so many different kinds of personal injury cases out there, you need an attorney that had dedicated years of their work to this kind of law. An attorney that specializes in personal injury law will likely have a much higher chance of being able to win your case.

  45. Raymond Cooper on September 17, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    I thought it was helpful how you mention that the law firm you work with is important to consider since the insurance settlement will often depend on the reputation of the lawyer’s firm. This is good to know since I recently suffered whiplash in a car accident and am seeking compensation. What would be the best way to determine how reputable a lawyer’s firm is?

  46. Charles Mitchell on September 20, 2018 at 5:07 am

    It sure got me when you said that I need to hire a lawyer who takes his cases seriously and is willing to fight all the way to trial in order for me to get the best settlement possible. That is the reason why I am so eager on finding a lawyer that is aggressive in fighting for my rights. I have lost so much in the accident, and I am not willing to take anything that is less than their worth.

    • MattPowell on March 24, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Look for an attorney who is board certified in civil trial law. Look for an attorney who has taken several cases like yours all the way to trial. Good luck.

  47. Charles Mitchell on October 4, 2018 at 6:26 am

    It was nice to know that by hiring a lawyer that is willing to take the case to trial, I have the chance of getting a higher claim as that proves the professional is more eager to help me out. If so, then I will be sure to hire a lawyer that takes his cases to trial. After all, I was frustrated when they said my case isn’t worth much and so I’ve decided that if they do not change their minds, I really will fight until someone is imprisoned.

    • MattPowell on March 24, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      It is important that small cases are handled properly like a big case. There are many more small cases, and too many people are abused by the system when attorneys won’t take the small cases to trial. One thing I tell my attorney friends is this: If you don’t try small cases, you probably won’t be very good at trying a big case. My advice to any personal injury attorney is to practice law in the courtroom, not your office. Get out there and help people, one at a time. It will make a big difference for everyone.

  48. Lavi Mare on October 5, 2018 at 12:47 am

    I have to agree with you when you said that the fee of the attorney does not change no matter how long a person waits, so it is best to avail of their services as soon as possible. This is important because if I ignore my case and hold it off, my case might be denied because its value has already drastically decreased. I will file a case as early as now since I want the maximum compensation for what happened to me.

    • MattPowell on March 24, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks for your comment. Go fast and get this behind you sooner rather than later.

  49. Taylor Anderson on November 19, 2018 at 6:12 pm

    One of my friends got into a car accident the other day, and her back was hurting her pretty badly. Because of this, she may need a lawyer to help her out. It helped when you said that hiring a good lawyer with a great reputation can help her get more money from her claim. These tips could really help my friend recover, so thank you for sharing them.

    • MattPowell on March 24, 2019 at 4:03 pm

      Good luck to your friend. Thanks for your comment. Matt

  50. Riley Smith on February 5, 2019 at 7:44 pm

    You’ve got some great tips for choosing a personal injury lawyer. I like how you said that it’s smart to choose someone who devotes time to your specific claim. My brother was in a bad car accident recently, so I’ll help him find a lawyer who specializes in that sort of case, like you said.

    • MattPowell on March 24, 2019 at 3:56 pm

      Good luck to your brother. Find an attorney who is willing to file suit and go all the way to trial. This will increase the chances of a fair settlement.

  51. Lillian Schaeffer on February 7, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    Thanks for letting me know that personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. My husband is going to be needing a personal injury attorney. We’ll definitely keep in mind that they get paid at the end of your case when you get a settlement.

    • MattPowell on March 24, 2019 at 3:54 pm

      Good luck to you and your husband.

  52. Kellen Easton on July 4, 2019 at 5:02 am

    People always do a mistake of not choosing a personal injury lawyer at the time of the accident. As described by Matt, hiring a personal injury lawyer at a time of the accident will help you to solve a case of short time duration. The thing goes worst and you have a chance of losing the case if you will not take an immediate action. Reference from the friends or family and Online review is the perfect way of choosing the right personal injury lawyer.

  53. Adam Smith on August 16, 2020 at 11:06 am

    Thanks for the proper guide to pick personal injury lawyer. If anyone needs more information like this then they can contact usalitigators, they have experienced lawyers to help you with all types of personal injury issues.

  54. Levi Armstrong on September 23, 2020 at 2:39 am

    I like your advice about hiring a personal injury lawyer knowledgeable about science and medicine because they would know what type of medical expert witnesses are needed to prove your case. I’ll share this advice with my friend, Shana, because she plans to file a lawsuit against a restaurant owner for a slip and fall accident. Hopefully, with your article as her guide, she will find the best personal injury lawyer in the area to represent her. Thanks!

    • MattPowell on September 23, 2020 at 6:36 pm

      Hi Levi,

      Good luck to your friend Shana. The right doctors can make a big difference in her health and her financial recovery.

  55. Levi Armstrong on January 4, 2021 at 11:33 am

    I like that you said I should choose a personal injury lawyer that would fight for their client all the way to trial instead of a lawyer that always settles his cases. My mom plans to file a lawsuit at an establishment downtown because of the bad slip and fall accident she had a few days ago. I’ll share this advice with her to ensure she hires the right lawyer to fight for her. Thanks.

    • MattPowell on January 19, 2021 at 11:48 pm

      Hi Levi,
      Thank you for your comment. I hope your mother is okay. Find a good board certified personal injury lawyer to help her. Good luck. Matt

  56. Jeff Carbine on November 2, 2021 at 2:12 am

    It’s good to know that it’s important to understand how to choose a personal injury lawyer for your specific type of claim. My sister was in an accident recently. I’ll encourage her to find a personal injury attorney to work with.

  57. Olivia Smart on December 9, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    Thank you for explaining that it’s better to hire an attorney sooner rather than later. My husband was telling me that his brother was just hurt really bad and his family is thinking about finding an attorney to help him. I’ll be sure to pass this on to them so that they know to jump on it as soon as they can.

    • MattPowell on December 10, 2021 at 12:11 am

      Good luck to your husband’s brother. Jump on it quickly. Matt

  58. Olivia Smart on July 31, 2023 at 7:50 pm

    Thank you for explaining that you should hire a lawyer quickly after your accident. My sister is thinking about hiring a lawyer after her accident yesterday. I’ll be sure to share this with her so she can start working to get someone soon.

    • Alex Miller on August 27, 2023 at 2:03 am

      Good luck to your sister. Thanks for leaving a comment. Matt Powell

  59. Elle Jones on August 4, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    I appreciate that you suggested that I select a personal injury attorney that would take their client’s case all the way to trial as opposed to one who always settles cases. Due to the serious slip and fall incident, my mother experienced a few days ago, she intends to sue a business downtown. I’ll give her this advice so she may choose the best attorney to represent her. Thanks.

    • Alex Miller on August 27, 2023 at 2:01 am

      Hi Elie, Good luck to your mother. I hope she makes a full recovery to her health and her case.

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