Choosing the right personal injury lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome of your case if you’ve been in an accident in Texas. There are around 1,500 car accidents each day in the Lone Star state, and many more other types of personal injuries. Here are some important tips on how to choose the right personal injury lawyer in Texas for your needs.
Do Your Research
Start by researching personal injury lawyers in your area. Look for lawyers that specialize in personal injury law and have extensive experience handling cases similar to yours, such as an El Paso car accident lawyer. Check their websites thoroughly, read reviews from past clients, and look up their credentials and bar admissions. Gather a list of 10-15 potential lawyers that seem promising based on your research. Then narrow down that list to the top 3-5 lawyers to interview.
There are several resources you can use to find prospective lawyers to research:
- Personal referrals – Talk to friends, family members, colleagues, or others in your network who may have hired a personal injury lawyer in the past. They can provide first-hand insight into a lawyer’s skills and experience.
- Online legal directories – Sites like SuperLawyers.com and Lawyers.com have searchable databases of lawyers sorted by practice area and location. Look for lawyers rated highly by peers.
- State Bar Association – The State Bar of Texas has an online directory where you can search for licensed lawyers in your area. Confirm the lawyer’s disciplinary history.
- Online reviews – Websites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp often have reviews of local lawyers from former clients describing their experiences.
When researching potential lawyers, look for successful case results, bar admissions, leadership roles in legal associations, awards and honors, and client testimonials.
Ask About Experience
Make sure to ask about the lawyer’s experience handling personal injury cases similar to yours. How long have they been practicing personal injury law? How many cases like yours have they handled in Texas courts? How many of those cases resulted in settlements versus going to trial?
An experienced personal injury accident lawyer will have a proven track record of getting positive results like large verdicts and settlements for clients. They should have at least 5 years of focused personal injury law under their belt. Also, ask if they have extensive experience trying cases in court, as your case may go to trial if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached. If a vehicle accident lawyer lacks trial experience, they may be less equipped to build maximum leverage for your case.
Inquire About Resources
An effective personal injury lawyer, such as a personal injury lawyer El Paso, will have the necessary resources and manpower to build a strong case for you. This includes experienced legal staff like paralegals and investigators, financial resources to cover case expenses, and access to reputable medical and subject matter experts who can evaluate the details of your case.
For example, they may need to hire an accident reconstructionist to analyze crash evidence or medical specialists like orthopedists and life care planners to assess injuries and prognosis. Ask what resources the lawyer can provide access to in order to prove your case and obtain maximum compensation. Generally, bigger law firms have more leverage in this area.
Discuss Fee Options
Most qualified personal injury lawyers don’t charge anything upfront and the lawyer takes a percentage of your final settlement or court award. This aligns incentives so the lawyer is motivated to get the largest recovery possible for you.
Standard contingency fees range from 33-40% of the total award. Some factors that may affect the rate include the complexity of your case, how far along it proceeds (settlement versus trial), and specific laws capping fees. Ask what the lawyer’s standard contingency fee percentage is and if it’s negotiable. Be wary of lawyers asking for any upfront retainer fees before taking your case.
Also, discuss what happens if your case is unsuccessful and no settlement is awarded. Top accident injury lawyers TX will not charge you anything if they cannot recover damages for you. Get fee agreement details in writing upfront before signing a contract.
Look for Good Communicators
Communication and responsiveness are very important when choosing a personal injury lawyer. Look for a lawyer who answers your questions clearly, returns calls and emails promptly, and keeps you updated on important developments in your case.
Schedule an initial consultation with the lawyer to assess their communication skills in person. Do they listen attentively and explain legal issues in an understandable way? Do they lay out what they will do to build your case? You want a lawyer who shows genuine interest and responds effectively to your needs.
Check Their Trial Record
If the at-fault insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, your case may need to go to trial, although this happens in less than 5% of cases. Ask prospective lawyers how often they take cases to trial versus settling out of court. Also, inquire about their success record for past trials.
An attorney with extensive trial experience and a proven history of winning sizable jury verdicts and settlements will give your case much greater leverage during negotiations with insurance companies. They have a demonstrated ability to take cases the distance when needed. An unproven court record can backfire if they are unable to deliver on threats to go to trial.
Request Referrals
Ask the personal injury lawyer for references such as past clients you can contact. Speaking to former clients can provide valuable insights into the lawyer’s actual strengths and weaknesses. Ask for details about their case, how satisfied they were with the outcome, and whether they would recommend the lawyer to others.
You can also look online for client testimonials and reviews for the lawyer. Check sites like Google, Facebook, Yelp, and Avvo for feedback from former clients describing their experiences. Beware of reviews that seem fake or paid. A reputable personal injury lawyer should have a long list of satisfied clients willing to vouch for them.
With the right legal representation from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys fighting for you, you can gain the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
Call us today on 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946) to discuss your case.
