How to Select a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident, it may be time to consult a personal injury attorney.  When you or someone you love has been hurt, the stress is often unmanageable.  Figuring out the best lawyer to take on your case may not be the first thing on your mind.  If you are considering hiring a personal injury lawyer, keep these tips in mind:

There are many factors to consider when hiring a lawyer, and some will have more bearing on the possible outcome of your case than others.  First, consider the location.  You should normally hire a personal injury lawyer who is able to practice in the jurisdiction where your lawsuit may take place—oftentimes, the location where you were injured.  If you were injured in a Kentucky car accident, you will likely want to hire a personal injury lawyer who is admitted to the practice law in Kentucky.  Alternatively, you may hire a lawyer outside of Kentucky who can work with a Kentucky personal injury attorney on your case or who may be granted permission by the court to practice outside of his or her jurisdiction for a certain case.

You may wish to narrow your search to lawyers who are uniquely familiar with your particular type of injury or accident.  If you have been injured in a workplace accident, you probably want a lawyer who routinely handles workers’ compensation claims.  If you were injured in a car wreck, consider hiring an accident lawyer who has handled numerous car wreck cases.   Luckily, many personal injury lawyers and law firms are familiar with a wide range of personal injury cases.  During your research, look for lawyers who handle cases like yours and who have been successful for clients in similar circumstances.

Law practices can range from a single lawyer to hundreds of attorneys practicing under a single name. You must weigh the pros and cons of small, midsize and large firms and decide which is the best fit for your case. Regardless of firm size, you will want an attorney who is accessible and available to you so that important deadlines are met and so you can stay on top of and informed about developments in your case. 

Finally, when looking for the right personal injury attorney to handle your case, don’t forget the basics- like talking to people you know about their experiences with injury attorneys, on-line reviews and, perhaps most importantly, how you get along with the attorney during the initial interview.  If you are comfortable and confident in an attorney’s background, experience and dedication to your case, you are likely to have a more positive experience, regardless of the size or notoriety of the practicing firm.  Most importantly, you must be able to trust your attorney and establish a comfortable rapport.  If you do not feel comfortable opening up to your lawyer, he or she may not will not be able to represent your interests effectively.