If you’ve been injured in an accident, you need to know how to hire a personal injury lawyer. The right attorney can mean the difference between a fair settlement and barely getting back on your feet. In this article, we’ll look at the steps you can take to find the ideal personal injury attorney to help with your situation.
Why Hiring the Right Personal Injury Lawyer Matters
If you have a personal injury case you may be able to get a successful outcome with the right attorney. You want to look for the following:
- A strong understanding of the laws where the injury happened. Laws can vary from state to state.
- Experience with accidents like yours.
- Negotiating skills for working with insurance companies.
- Courtroom experience.
Hiring the right legal team may help you get the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
These six steps will help you understand how to hire an attorney.
Step 1: Determine Your Legal Needs
Personal injury law covers a wide range of incidents including:
- Car accidents
- Bike accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Scooter accidents
- Slip and falls
- Animal attacks
You’ll want to find a lawyer who has knowledge about your particular accident type. They should also have experience in cases with injuries like yours.
- Minor injuries – a general personal injury lawyer may suffice.
- Severe injuries (traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries) – These cases often require a deep understanding of medical evidence and expert testimony, which only specialized lawyers can provide.
When Should I Speak to an Attorney After an Accident?
We recommend as soon as possible. Speaking with a lawyer early can help protect your rights, preserve key evidence, and avoid costly mistakes when dealing with insurance companies.
Step 2: Start Your Search for a Personal Injury Lawyer
In deciding how to hire an attorney, there are several places to start your search. Each has advantages.
Use Online Resources
The internet is a powerful tool for finding personal injury lawyers. Websites like Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell provide directories of lawyers. You can use them to find basic information about a prospective lawyer including:
- Detailed profiles
- Years of experience
- Specializations
- Client reviews
Seek Personal Referrals
One of the first things most people do when they are trying to decide how to hire a personal injury lawyer is simply to ask around. Referrals can be a great way to find lawyers who might be a good fit, and learn who you should avoid.
Referrals can give you insight into a lawyer’s:
- Attitude
- Personality
- Professionalism
- Work ethic
- Communication style
Consult Local Bar Associations
A local bar association can also be a valuable resource. The Ohio State Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association and West Virginia Bar Association have referral services that can match you with a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law.
Step 3: Evaluate Potential Lawyers
Once you’ve identified a list of potential lawyers, it’s time to evaluate them. This step is critical in knowing how to hire an attorney who will best represent your interests.
Review Their Experience and Success Rates
Experience is key when it comes to personal injury law. You will want to work with a lawyer who has handled cases similar to yours and has a strong record of success.
Dig Into Their Specialty
Some personal injury lawyers specialize in certain types of cases:
- car accidents
- medical malpractice
- product liability
Look for a lawyer with experience in cases like yours. Their experience, and specialized knowledge, may be a significant advantage.
Read Client Reviews and Testimonials
Client reviews and testimonials can provide valuable insight into a lawyer’s reputation. If a lawyer has a lot of negative reviews or complaints, you may want to take them off your list. Read what our clients have to say about working with us here.
Assess Their Trial Experience
While many personal injury cases are settled out of court, some go to trial. It’s important to hire a lawyer with trial experience, just in case your case requires it.
Step 4: Schedule Consultations
When you’ve narrowed down your list to a few top candidates, schedule some consultations. Many personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations. During this time you can discuss your case and get a sense of whether a lawyer is the right fit for you.
Before the Consultation
Gather all relevant documents related to your case. This includes:
- medical records
- police reports
- insurance company letters
You should also prepare a list of questions. This will help you make sure you leave the consultation knowing whether the lawyer is right for your case.
- What is your experience with cases like mine?
- What is your success rate in personal injury cases?
- How do you approach settlement negotiations?
- What are your fees, and do you work on a contingency basis?
- Who will be handling my case—will it be you or another attorney in your firm?
- How many cases do they typically handle?
After the Consultation
It’s important that you trust your lawyer and feel comfortable with them. Think about how you felt after the consultation. Did they listen to your concerns? Did they explain things clearly? Did you get all the answers you needed?
Step 5: How to Hire an Attorney With No Money
It’s important to discuss your potential attorney’s fee structure. The experienced legal team at Spivak & Sakellariou will charge you nothing unless you win your case. And even then, they will only receive a percentage of what your final settlement is. This is known as a contingency fee.
Other lawyers have set fees, regardless of the outcome. And some lawyers charge differently if a case goes to trial.
When meeting with a lawyer you should clarify those base costs along with additional fees which could include:
- filing fees
- expert witness fees
- costs for obtaining medical records
Ask if any of these additional fees will be deducted from the settlement. Or if you’ll need to pay them out of pocket.
Step 6: How to Hire an Attorney
After evaluating each potential personal injury lawyer, it’s time to make your decision. Consider each attorney’s:
- experience
- specialization
- communication skills
- fee structure
You’ll also want to think about which lawyer made you feel confident and comfortable.
Review the Retainer Agreement
Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll need to sign a retainer agreement. This outlines the terms of your relationship with the lawyer, including the contingency fee and other costs. Make sure you review the agreement carefully and ask any questions before signing.
Set Clear Expectations
Before your case begins, it’s important to set clear expectations with your lawyer.
- How often should you expect to hear from them? Daily? Weekly?
- What updates can you expect?
- What will your role be in the process?
- How long will it all take?
Three Common Mistakes to Avoid When Deciding How to Hire an Attorney
There are three common mistakes people make when hiring a personal injury lawyer.
- “Using a Coupon”
The cheapest option isn’t always the best. If you base your decision only on cost you may end up with an inadequate attorney and poor results. Instead of just considering rates, focus on the lawyer’s:
- experience
- specialization
- track record of success
- Ignoring Red Flags
Trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. It may be best to keep looking if the lawyer is someone who:
- makes unrealistic promises
- is difficult to reach
- has a history of disciplinary actions
- Failing to Do Any Research
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is a big decision, and it’s important to do your due diligence. Take the time to research potential lawyers thoroughly, review their credentials, and consult with multiple candidates before making your choice.
How to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
A good personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law and help you take the first step toward justice. That’s what the team at Spivak & Sakellariou does – they will fight for your best interests.
When working on hiring a personal injury lawyer, contact Spivak & Sakellariou for a free consultation. We’ll let you know how we would approach helping you get compensation for your injuries.
When Should I Speak to an Attorney After an Accident?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you might wonder: When should I hire a personal injury lawyer? The answer is — as soon as possible. Speaking with a lawyer early can help protect your rights, preserve key evidence, and avoid costly mistakes when dealing with insurance companies.
Knowing how to hire a personal injury lawyer starts with finding someone experienced in cases like yours — especially if you’re looking for a Cincinnati personal injury lawyer who understands Ohio law. At Spivak & Sakellariou, our attorneys offer free consultations and can guide you through every step of your claim. We’re also licensed to work in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The sooner you call, the more we can help.
