How To Find The Right Personal Injury Lawyer

Finding the right San Diego injury lawyer to represent you in your personal injury case is crucial. Not only do you want someone you can trust, but who also has the experience and skill to recover the compensation you deserve. Here are some tips on how to find the right one.  

Ask Your Family and Friends

A family, friend, or co-worker may be able to recommend a personal injury lawyer who they have worked with. However, although an attorney comes recommended does not mean they are right for your case. Since attorneys have different styles, personalities, and experience levels, it is best to wait to decide until you have met and discussed your case with them.  

Ask a Lawyer You Know 

If you know or are familiar with an attorney, even if they do not practice personal injury law, you can ask if there is someone they can recommend. They may have heard of someone through reputation or have someone in their network. Still, meeting with the lawyer they suggest before hiring them is important to ensure they are the right fit for your case.

Search Online Reviews

Many websites rank firms and will list personal injury lawyers in your area. Choose several at a time and search for online reviews. Some of the top online resources include: 

• Yelp
• Google
• Nolo
• Lawyers.com
• Avvo
• Martindale-Hubbell 
• Better Business Bureau 
• Facebook

Read what former clients say, and pick a few you are interested in speaking to. Check for information on their firm’s experience, success rate, and recent case results, then schedule free consultations. 

Questions to Ask a Potential Personal Injury Lawyer

1. How long have you practiced personal injury law? Extensive experience in your case type, handling complex claims, trying cases in court, and succeeding is often critical. Not only can experience increase your chances of recovering fair compensation, but there are also steps and procedures that must be understood to avoid technical mistakes. 
2. Will you be the attorney handling my case? At almost every firm, multiple attorneys and/or paralegals work together on a case. You need to know whether the lawyer you are speaking to will be the one who works on your case. 
3. How many cases do you handle at a time? If a lawyer or firm takes on too many cases at once, there is a risk that your case may not receive the attention it deserves.
4. Do I pay if I lose my case? Most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not have to pay legal fees if you do not recover compensation. 
5. How long do you think it will take to settle my case? An attorney will not be able to give you a precise answer but based on past experience and the complexity of your case, they can typically estimate how long it will take. 
6. Do you have references? Speaking to a few past clients can give you a better idea of an attorney’s working style, whether they remained in communication with their client regarding the case, and whether they kept their client’s goals in mind. A lawyer should happily supply a list of references.