5 Tips for Choosing the Best Personal Injury Lawyer

Hiring the right lawyer for your case can be a daunting task. Whether you’ve been hurt in a car crash, recovering from a dog bite injury, or recuperating after some other accident, you want a powerful advocate who is looking out for your best interests. The next time you’re in the market for a personal injury lawyer, allow these tips to guide your search:

1. Ask for Referrals

Word of mouth referrals are worth their weight in gold. There’s nothing like first-hand experience, after all. When you’re in need of quality legal representation, talk with friends and family about their experiences with local attorneys. Their experiences can guide you towards expert lawyers and away from the less than stellar options.

2. Research Online

Each state maintains its own local bar association with recommendations and advice for hiring lawyers. Virginia’s own bar association website is an excellent place to begin your search. Once you’ve come up with a few options, you can dive into reviews and the bar status of each lawyer you’re considering.

3. Schedule Consultations

Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultation appointments. These meetings can provide much-needed insight into how a given attorney might choose to represent you. Ask questions about how long they have been practicing, their experience with similar cases, and whether they’ll personally handle your case or hand it off to an associate.

4. Understand the Payment Model

Hiring a lawyer can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you’ll owe nothing unless they recover a settlement on your behalf. This is an excellent option when you’re short on cash but have a viable case. Discuss your concerns about payment during the initial consultation appointment and make sure to get thorough answers before you leave the meeting.

5. Go with Your Gut

Choosing a lawyer is often the first step in the long process of seeking justice. Given the important deadlines you’re likely up against, it’s important not to take too long in choosing an attorney to represent you. After vetting your options online and meeting a few lawyers in person, trust your instincts. Select the lawyer you believe is the best fit for your case so you can begin the next steps of this important process!