Finding the right personal injury lawyer might be the most important decision you make after an accident.
Most people have never hired a lawyer in their lives. They don’t know what to look for, what questions to ask, or how to spot a great attorney from a mediocre one.
Here’s the thing…
Personal injury lawyers are not created equal. Some lawyers excel at insurance company negotiation and will fight tooth and nail to get every dollar you deserve. Others will take the first settlement offer that comes across their desk.
The difference between great lawyers and bad lawyers? It can be life-changing.
According to a Nolo reader survey, claimants who hired a lawyer received payouts 2.5x higher than those who went it alone. That should tell you just how important hiring the right attorney can be. It’s why even the best injury lawyers in San Diego know that superior insurance company negotiation skills make all the difference.
So how exactly can you evaluate a personal injury lawyer before you hire them?
Let’s break it down…
What you’ll learn:
- Why Experience With Insurance Companies Matters Most
- Red Flags To Watch For When Choosing a Lawyer
- The Key Questions To Ask During a Consultation
- How To Check a Lawyer’s Track Record
- What a Good Fee Structure Looks Like
Why Experience With Insurance Companies Matters Most
This is number one for a reason.
Around 95% of all personal injury cases settle before reaching trial. That means an attorney’s skill at negotiating with insurance adjusters matters far more than their ability to win in court.
Insurance companies have lawyers and adjusters whose sole job is to pay out as little as possible. They push lowball offers, delay claims for months, even deny valid claims altogether.
You want a lawyer who knows how to handle insurance companies. Someone who can counter these tactics and hold strong until your claim is worth what it’s worth.
Look for personal injury lawyers with:
- Decades of experience negotiating with insurance companies
- A track record of winning cases and obtaining successful settlements
- In-depth knowledge of how insurance adjusters value claims
Without experience negotiating with insurance companies, your attorney won’t know what tricks these companies use. They could leave serious money on the table.
Red Flags To Watch For When Choosing a Lawyer
When you start meeting with different lawyers, pay attention to how they act. While anyone can make a bad mistake, certain patterns should raise red flags.
Here are a few behaviors to avoid:
- Promise you a specific dollar amount before even reviewing your case
- Pressure you to sign a contract on the spot
- Lack experience handling personal injury claims
- Are vague about their fees
Here’s another big one…
Lawyers that shy away from discussing trial experience. Yes, most cases settle but there’s a reason for that. Insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair settlement if they know you’re willing and able to file a lawsuit.
An insurance adjuster won’t care about your injuries, pain, or time off of work if they know your lawyer is scared to go to trial. THAT is a lose-lose situation.
Seeing that happen is exactly why you need a personal injury lawyer that has tried cases before.
The Key Questions To Ask During a Consultation
Did you know most injury lawyers offer free consultations?
You read that correctly. The best attorneys know meeting with potential clients is part of their job. Use this consultation wisely by asking questions you should know the answer to.
Ask potential lawyers:
- How many cases have you personally handled that were similar to mine?
- What percentage of your cases settle versus going to trial?
- How will you keep me updated during my case?
- Who will actually be working on my case?
- What is your negotiation strategy with insurance companies?
That last question might be the most important one on the list. The response will tell you if the lawyer has a solid game plan or is just winging it. A confident personal injury lawyer will explain their process step-by-step without hesitation.
Great lawyers will actually listen more than they speak during your consultation. They will ask you tons of questions about the accident, injuries, and how it’s affected your everyday life.
If they seem distracted or impatient with you… run.
How To Check a Lawyer’s Track Record
Checking up on a lawyer’s track record is easily one of the best ways to evaluate them. Best part? Most of this information is free to view.
Start by:
- Reading online reviews on Google and other legal directories
- Visiting their case results page
- Confirming their status with the state bar association
- Asking for references
Online reviews can be great windows into the client experience. What have others said about working with the lawyer? Do you see the same complaints over and over? Are people happy with their communication and results?
You can also check to see if the lawyer has any disciplinary actions against them by visiting your state bar website.
What a Good Fee Structure Looks Like
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. This is good news for you as the client. You never have to pay anything up front.
The lawyer only gets paid if you win.
Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you:
- Understand what percentage the lawyer takes
- Know if that percentage increases if you file a lawsuit
- Understand who’s paying for expenses like filing fees and expert witnesses
- When you pay those expenses (usually taken out of the settlement)
A standard contingency fee is usually between 33% to 40% of the settlement. If a lawyer tries to quote you anything outside of that range, question them. A trustworthy lawyer will be transparent about their fees.
Pulling It All Together
Finding the right attorney doesn’t have to be difficult. But you do have to put in some work. Depending on the severity of your accident, your attorney could make or break your financial future.
Let’s review:
- Prioritise attorneys with insurance negotiation experience
- Avoid the red flags listed above
- Ask the important questions during your free consultation
- Check out their track record online
- Understand the fee agreement
Now that you know what to look for, finding a great lawyer will be a piece of cake. Remember, the right lawyer will not only be transparent with you but will also have your best interests at heart.
Take your time evaluating and it’ll be worth it in the long run.
