How To Find a Personal Injury Attorney
The number of personal injury cases filed every year continues to grow, with 2022 seeing about $53.1 billion in payouts, one of the highest payouts in recent times. Now more than ever, victims have a better understanding of how to hold accountable those who have played a part in the injury they’ve suffered.
If you’ve been injured on the job, were injured as a result of a crime, or have suffered an injury because of someone else’s actions, you may have a case. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the complexities of Colorado personal injury laws is one of the best ways to recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries, financial losses, and pain and suffering.
At the law offices of Bachus & Schanker, our team can help you navigate your legal rights and options after a personal injury. If you need help determining whether you have a case, our attorneys offer free evaluations to help you better understand your circumstances and decide your next move. Learn more about how to find a personal injury attorney who can best help represent you as you move through your case.
How To Find a Personal Injury Attorney
The first step in working with an experienced personal injury attorney is knowing where to look. No matter where you live in Colorado, the best place to start looking for attorneys is often closer than you think. Some of the best places to start are:
- Consulting with family and friends
- Getting referrals from other lawyers
- Turning to community legal services programs
Tips for Finding a Personal Injury Attorney
Walking into your nearest law firm and asking to speak with a personal injury lawyer is one way to get legal representation. But if you’re looking to have the best legal representation for your case, you’ll want to do some research beforehand. It’s important to know what to ask and who to ask when looking for legal guidance. This is the best way to ensure you get the full benefits of working with a personal injury attorney.
Read Client Reviews
In today’s digital age, it’s never been easier to get an unfiltered review of a service, including personal injury representation. This can be extremely helpful when looking for a personal injury attorney you can trust.
A simple Google search can yield information about a personal injury lawyer you want to work with. You’ll get a sense of cases they’ve handled in the past, client satisfaction, and other information that can help you narrow down your options.
Look Up Lawyers in Peer-Reviewed Organizations
Peer reviews are equally as important as client reviews. Popular legal referral services and peer review organizations can help you better determine if an attorney is a good fit for your case. The following sources are some of the best places to start when looking for a personal injury attorney. You can also use them to learn more about a specific attorney you have in mind.
- Martindale – Hubbell Bar Registry: This is one of the most popular legal directories. It helps victims like you search for a list of attorneys and law firms for your case. You can search by practice area, geographic location, or specific lawyers.
- Best Lawyers in America: This online resource is another great way to get more insight into specific personal injury attorneys. Best Lawyers in America provides a lawyer ranking system that allows you to quickly identify top personal injury lawyers in your area.
- Super Lawyers: Another organization that uses a rating system to highlight outstanding lawyers is Super Lawyers. You can search by geographic location, specialty, attorney name, or by the unique legal issue you are facing.
Interview Several Personal Injury Lawyers
Once you have a list of lawyers in mind, do your due diligence and interview them to ensure they are a good fit. As you interview them, compare their skill sets to find the one that has the most to offer your unique case. Many attorneys offer free case evaluations that allow you to gain an understanding of their skills, experience, and services.
When To Start Looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer
The next question many people have is when they should start looking for a personal injury lawyer. Not all injuries will warrant the services of a lawyer; however, there are some cases when looking for a personal injury attorney will have a significant outcome.
If your case involves any of the following, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible:
- You’ve suffered a severe injury
- You have suffered an injury that is permanent or has long-term consequences
- Your injury requires extensive medical treatment
- You have ongoing medical bills resulting from your injury
- You’ve lost income because you are unable to work
Things To Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer Before You Hire Them
A lawyer can be the best in their field, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he or she will be the best fit for you. This is why the interview process is so important. You’ll get a feel for their skills, what personal injury lawyers do, the law firm they represent, and whether the firm is equipped to handle your case.
Ask About Their Experience
Personal injuries can result from all types of incidents, including car accidents, medical malpractice, and injuries that result from crimes. Get a glimpse into an attorney’s client history to gain a sense of their ability, comfort, and experience handling cases like yours.
Do They Specialize in Personal Injury?
Be sure to ask a prospective personal injury attorney the types of injuries they’ve helped represent. This can include car accidents, product liability cases, medical malpractice injuries, and more.
What Are Their Fee Structures and Contract Terms?
Lawyers operate on different fee structures, and it’s important to know this structure before you commit to working with them. Common fees include a fixed or hourly fee for legal services rendered.
However, most firms work on contingency, meaning you’ll be charged a percentage of your settlement amount only when your lawyer wins your case. There may be additional fees, but this is something an attorney will go over with you during your initial consultation.
Do They Charge if There Is No Recovery of Damages?
Because all law firms operate on different fee structures, some firms may charge you a fee even if there is no recovery of damages. However, this is not the case with most firms that work on contingency.
Do They Have Expert Witnesses at Their Disposal?
Experienced personal injury attorneys will often pull in expert witnesses to support your case. Expert witnesses can provide fact-based testimony to help prove your claims.
Is the Lawyer Willing To Take the Case to Court?
Most personal injury lawsuits end in a settlement. While this is the norm, there are instances when an attorney may need to take your case to trial. When interviewing potential attorneys, ask about their experience with trials, how they prepare for trial, and their success rate.
Things To Consider When Interviewing a Personal Injury Attorney
In addition to the background and client history, there are other things you should consider when vetting a personal injury attorney. The following factors can help you determine if they are the best fit for your case:
What Is the Attorney’s Communication Style?
How does the attorney communicate? Do you have an easy time understanding the concepts they are trying to convey? Do they offer a detailed plan of how they will navigate your case, and do they answer your questions clearly and concisely? Don’t be afraid to ask how an attorney plans to handle your case and what they will do when things don’t go how they would like.
What’s the Size of the Law Firm and Do They Have Available Resources?
Some law offices are better equipped with resources and support services than others, and this can have an impact on your case.
At Bachus & Schanker, our attorneys are proud to offer their own specially assembled group of Victim Advocates. Our Victim Advocates team helps support those whose cases are the result of catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and sexual assault. Offering legal support and full confidentiality, this highly specialized group of professionals can help you establish a plan for healing alongside building a robust legal case.
What Is Their Track Record?
An attorney’s track record can give you insight into how they handle cases like yours and how your case may play out. Ask about cases similar to yours and inquire about how they were resolved.
Client Reviews
Client reviews are one of the best ways to get unfiltered insight into a prospective attorney’s services. You can ask an attorney to connect you with previous clients that they’ve worked with.
How Can a Good Personal Injury Attorney Help You?
Working with a personal injury attorney can have a significant impact on your case. An experienced attorney will work diligently to:
- Determine the extent of your injuries
- Assess and determine damages
- Narrow down or extend the scope of liable parties as required by your case
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Pull in expert testimony
- And more!
If You Have Been Injured, Let Bachus & Schanker Help You!
At Bachus & Schanker, our team is here for you. When you schedule a free case evaluation, our team will work to determine the strength of your case, the damages you can pursue, and the next steps to take in your case. Reach out today and start working with an experienced personal injury attorney you can count on.
Sources:
Best Lawyers in America. (2024).
Johnson, J. (2022). Personal Injury Settlement Amounts Examples (2024 Guide).
Martindale – Hubbell Bar Registry. (2024).
Personal Injury Lawyers & Attorneys in the US – Market Size. (2024).
Super Lawyers. (2024).
