If you’re on this page, it’s likely that you’ve been through a lot lately. You might feel like you don’t have the time to be selective about finding an attorney. Since personal injury attorneys are usually contacted following unpleasant, if not tragic, life circumstances, there is an understandable instinct to rush the process; To get it over with. This is a mistake. If you aren’t careful about who you choose, you might lose the case. Or worse, get paid less than you deserve. Here are some helpful questions to consider while searching for a personal injury lawyer.

Do you know at least one other person who has used this lawyer? In business, as in life, it’s all about referrals. Not being able to corroborate a referral shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but if you can find at least one, happy customer, you will feel better about your decision.

Does the lawyer have social media presence? Many personal injury lawyers have not stepped into the social media space yet. Their trepidation is understandable; They’re busy people and just don’t have the time to play on Facebook all day. Yet the ones that own LinkedIn or Facebook profiles offer an interesting window into their performance. Chances are at least one of their Facebook friends or fans, or one of their LinkedIn connections, has used their services. Reach out to some of these people and see what their experience was. Just because they are part of their network does not mean they will give them favorable reviews as people often add a connection prior to becoming a client.

Are they on file at the local Bar association? 99% of the time, the answer is yes. But if you stumbled upon that 1%, you had better watch out. We recommend you take this step simply because of how easy it is and how bad things can get if you’ve somehow found an unlicensed legal professional.

How large is the firm? As with any industry, the size of the organization will correlate to some particular strengths and weaknesses. You wouldn’t go to a giant law firm if you’re seeking $1,200 in damages for an uninsured medical visit after slipping on the floor of your local diner. If your claim is large, however, or involves a very-well organized opponent (another corporation, for example) you might be better off going with a well-known company.

What’s their track record like? The law is considered an open record, and most court cases can be dug up at your local law library. Take a few hours out of your day to visit the law library or county registrar and do some old-fashioned research. See if there are any cases involving the lawyer you’re considering and note their results.

What is their fee structure like? Personal injury lawyers need to accept pay-per-performance terms and if your attorney tries to slip in extra fees you should be suspicious. Also, the percentage of the settlement they take ought to be equitable. You are the victim here, after all.

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