Did you get hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault?
You deserve compensation. The only problem is, getting a fair settlement from an insurance company is an uphill battle.
And how well you do in that battle…often comes down to one factor.
Who you hire as a personal injury lawyer.
Here’s the secret…
Not all personal injury law services are the same. There are litigators who will fight tooth-and-nail to get you everything you’re owed. And others who will pressure you to take the first offer they make.
And guess what…
The right personal injury lawyer can triple the size of your settlement. I’m going to show you exactly how to find the best personal injury attorney for your case.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why Experience Matters More Than You Think
- The Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring
- Red Flags That Scream “Run Away”
- How To Spot A Great Negotiator
Why Your Choice Of Litigator Is Critical
Want to hear something that might surprise you?
On average, people who hire a skilled litigator get payout amounts that are almost three times higher than those who don’t have representation. That’s not a little bit higher. I mean easily tens of thousands of dollars more.
And it gets even better…
Research also shows that 91% of individuals with a personal injury attorney received a payout vs. only 51% of claimants without one. That’s a HUGE difference.
Think about it this way: Insurance companies are giant corporations with armies of lawyers. They know their business. Without an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, you’re just one person going up against a corporation with unlimited resources.
Don’t do that to yourself.
Experience Beats Everything Else
Here’s something that most people don’t realize…
Trial experience matters.
Believe it or not, not all personal injury lawyers have tried cases in court. In fact, many law firms only settle cases out of court and have zero experience in the courtroom.
Zero.
But that’s okay, right? You don’t need a litigator with trial experience because you want to settle this case quickly, right?
Wrong.
Trial experience matters because if your lawyer has never tried a case, the insurance companies know it. And it weakens their negotiating position against the big insurance companies.
The Questions You Must Ask
The majority of personal injury law firms offer free consultations. You use that as an opportunity to interview them and “vet” them.
But here’s the deal…
You need to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
“How many cases similar to mine have you handled?”
Look, you want to know this person is a specialist in YOUR type of injury. If they handle 100+ car accident claims every year, they’re probably a good fit for you. But if they take any type of case, you should look elsewhere.
“What’s your success rate for settlements versus trials?”
This question reveals how good they are at negotiating (vs. taking every case to court). The answer should be a roughly 50/50 split. But if they settle 100% of cases, watch out.
“Who’s actually going to work on my case?”
You’d be surprised at how many large firms farm out cases to junior attorneys. Don’t be afraid to ask WHO at the firm will actually be representing you.
“What’s your fee structure?”
The vast majority of injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means they only get paid if you win your case. A standard fee for cases settled before trial is 33% of the payout. The fee is higher (around 40%) if the case goes to trial.
Here are all of the questions you should ask in order to weed out the good from the bad.
Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away
There are some red flags that are super-obvious.
But most of them are subtle. Here are some things that should immediately make you run.
Guaranteeing a Specific Settlement Amount
This is a massive red flag. No personal injury law firm can honestly guarantee a specific settlement. Every case is different.
If they’re promising you a settlement amount, they’re lying. Full stop.
Pressure To Sign Immediately
Good personal injury law services don’t need to resort to these tactics. If you feel pressured to make a decision immediately, you should look elsewhere.
Bad Reviews / Disciplinary Actions
Do your due diligence on their state bar association page. Look at online reviews. Past disciplinary actions from the bar association are huge red flags. Don’t be afraid to walk.
Don’t Specialize in Personal Injury Law
Would you see a podiatrist for heart surgery? I didn’t think so. Same thing here. Personal injury law is a specialized area. You want a litigator who works on cases like yours on a daily basis.
What Makes a Great Settlement Negotiator
Most people don’t realize this…
The best personal injury law services aren’t the loudest ones. The best injury attorneys are strategic negotiators who know how to maximize your settlement.
They Build a Strong Case
Building a solid case doesn’t happen overnight. Your attorney should be compiling all of your medical records, talking to potential witnesses, and properly documenting everything.
They Should Know The Value of Your Claim
This includes not only past and current medical bills. A top personal injury litigator also factors in future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, etc.
They Are Patient
The latest research shows that people who held out for higher offers received settlements $30,700 more than those who took the first offer. Your attorney should never pressure you into taking a low offer.
Communicate Clearly
Legal jargon makes about as much sense to the rest of us as Klingon. Your attorney should be able to clearly explain everything in plain English.
Understanding Contingency Fees
Let me break it down for you…
Most personal injury law firms work on a contingency basis. This means that they only get paid if you win. If you don’t get a payout, they don’t get a fee.
Here are the details, though…
The average contingency fee runs 33% for cases settled before trial and 40% for cases that go all the way to trial. The fee may also be higher if there are additional costs (expert witnesses, filing fees, etc.)
You need to fully understand what percentage they’re taking, when costs are deducted from the final payout, and who pays if you lose. Ask to see it in writing.
Trust Your Gut
Look, they don’t teach this in law school…
Chemistry matters. You are going to be working very closely with this personal injury attorney for months (maybe years). If you “feel weird” about something during your consultation, trust that feeling.
You should feel as if you were being heard and respected, you have confidence in their abilities to do the job, you are not afraid to ask questions, and that they genuinely care about your case.
If you’re missing one or more of these…keep looking.
Wrapping this Up
Picking the right personal injury litigator for your case requires a little bit of leg work on your end. Most personal injury cases settle before trial (95-96%). This means it’s absolutely critical to have a solid negotiator.
The best way to do that? Interview multiple lawyers (most offer free consultations), ask hard questions about experience and results, watch for red flags, understand the fee structure completely, and trust your instincts.
Remember, you’re not looking for just ANY personal injury attorney. You’re looking for YOUR personal injury attorney. The one who will fight to get you maximum compensation and keep you informed every step of the way.
It’s not just about finding a lawyer – it’s about finding the right lawyer.
Good luck.
