When facing a serious injury after an accident, it’s a good idea to consult with a personal injury attorney to get back a proper financial recovery for your injuries. Obviously, earning the most compensation is the goal, and hiring the right attorney could potentially make a difference by the thousands, sometimes millions. The thing with a personal injury case is, the initial steps are crucial and move quick. So hiring the right attorney is super important. Here we will outline some of the attributes the best personal injury attorneys have and why it matters so much.

Reasons NOT to Hire an Attorney

People may choose an attorney for many reasons that aren’t ideal. For example, the attorney is close to their home; they have used the attorney before for a real estate purchase, divorce or some other legal matter; or they are friends with the attorney. They may say they are qualified, but probably aren’t fully aware of what’s involved.

Most lawyers will want to handle personal injury cases because the right case can be very lucrative. However, without the proper background and experience, the attorney may find they are quickly in over their head. They may either try and bluff their way through or bring in an attorney qualified to handle the matter to assist. The problem here is that if your case gets off to the wrong start, it may be difficult or even impossible to right the ship. Much of the groundwork for a personal injury case is laid in the first few months. So, you should find the best attorney for your particular case right from the get-go. Here are some GOOD reasons to hire an attorney.

What the BEST Personal Injury Attorneys Have in Common

Focused on Personal Injury

A lawyer that specifically focuses on personal injury is going to be better equipped to handle your case as opposed to a general practice lawyer or a lawyer that typically practices a different area of law.

The right personal injury attorney for your case will have a long track history of handling cases similar to yours in the jurisdiction where your accident happened. For example if you were in a car accident in Suffolk County, you would want to find an experienced Suffolk County Car accident lawyer because that lawyer will not only be fully familiar with the law with respect to car accidents, the lawyer will also understand the Judges, Court System and Jurors.

Good Reputation

First, ask family members, friends, and acquaintances if they have a recommendation for an attorney that focuses on personal injury. If a family member or a friend recommends a lawyer that does focus on personal injury, this can be good insight on the lawyer’s reputation and what to expect should you use him. Compile a list. Once you have a list, do your own research. The best place to start is with Google. 

Even if you don’t have a personal recommendation, online presence is a great way to see a lawyer’s reputation. Like anything else, not all reviews online are honest or fair, reading a good array of online reviews along with the descriptions can give a really good general idea of an attorney and his/her staff. Most Suffolk County accident attorneys will have many reviews on various websites. Google, Avvo, Lawyers.com, Yelp and Facebook all list attorney reviews. It is worth the time to read them to see how the attorney that you are considering for your injury case has a good reputation.

Additionally, meeting the attorney and his staff for a free consultation is a good way to use your instincts to determine the lawyer’s reputation and how he conducts himself and the office. The staff should be kind, the office should look presentable and well organized. These kinds of clues reflect the firm’s experience in handling cases and getting successful verdicts.

Has Successful Verdicts for Cases Similar to Yours

With the ultimate goal being a successful verdict, doing research on past case results of the lawyer is an indicator of his or her effectiveness. If your attorney doesn’t have a track record of recovering large verdicts and settlements how can you be sure they will get you the most compensation possible? Some firms showcase their case results on their websites, while others may share with you at a consultation. 

There are a number of types of personal injury cases, with varying procedures depending on the circumstance and the type of injury. For example, a construction site accident case differs from a motor vehicle accident case. Therefore, it is good to know that the attorney has successful experiences handling a matter similar to yours.

Good Communicator

A good personal injury lawyer should come across as someone who you feel comfortable with representing you. Being a good communicator with you is an indicator they can effectively represent you in court. The staff also should give you a good impression should you go to a consultation. A well communicating staff won’t keep you in the dark concerning the steps and the status of your case. They should be with you from the start all the way to the case’s resolution.

The lawyer you hire should be local. Especially for personal injury claims, it’s best that the lawyer knows the laws of the areas you live in and are familiar with the location where the injury occurred. It should also be convenient for you to go to their office for consultations. Additionally, some law firms are so big, and handle so many cases, that you might not get the personal attention that you would expect from someone handling your case while you recover from an injury. This is not ideal, because your attorney is not easily accessible.