What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were recently injured in an accident, you may be confused about your legal rights and options. You might be searching for a personal injury lawyer who can help guide you through the claims process. However, with all of the options out there, you might not know what characteristics to look for. Here is a brief list of what you should look for in a personal injury lawyer.

Knowledge

Personal injury law is a complex area of law that often takes years to fully understand. In Oregon, you only have two years to file a lawsuit against the negligent party in most types of personal injury cases, so you cannot afford to wait for a lawyer to learn this area of the law. You need a lawyer who is already knowledgeable and who can take prompt action to help you preserve your rights.

You can find out how knowledgeable a prospective lawyer by researching him or her, specifically investigating whether the lawyer has:

• Lectured at CLE courses to train other lawyers
• Membership in personal injury associations and bar associations
• Taught law school courses or given talks at law schools
• Published articles in legal publications
• Received academic accolades, such as being named on the Dean's List

Focus

Some attorneys advertise themselves as general practice attorneys who take on nearly any type of case. However, it is difficult to stay up to date with all areas of the law when they have such a wide range of case types. When a law firm’s focus is on one area of the law, they often have a deeper understanding of that specific area of the law.

Experience

There is no substitute for relevant experience. Any personal injury lawyer you consider hiring should have handled previous cases that are similar to yours. When a lawyer has dealt with similar legal issues in previous cases, he or she can better anticipate possible challenges and how to respond to them.

You may also want to work with a lawyer who has previous experience working for or with insurance companies since this will give them unique insight into how the other side operates.

Positive Past Results

While previous results are no guarantee of the type of compensation you can expect from your case, personal injury lawyers who post their past case results show that they have secured favorable outcomes for their clients and will work just as diligently for you to also get a fair resolution of your case.

A Caring Attitude

A good personal injury lawyer will not only care about the multimillion-dollar verdict. He or she will also care just as much about the typical car accident case and will fight to secure a favorable outcome for those clients.

Law firms may have support staff members who are highly capable individuals and can assist with many aspects of your case. But you should also know that the lawyer is directly working on your case. Your lawyer and their staff should put you at ease and treat you with the respect you deserve.

Schedule a Case Review

Many personal injury lawyers offer a free case review during which they can review the circumstances surrounding your accident and whether you have a valid claim. By the end of your consultation, you should have a better idea about whether you need a lawyer, how the lawyer will help you, how long you have to file a claim, and how you will pay your lawyer.



At Walsh & Associates, PC, Attorneys at Law, we offer a free consultation so you can make an educated decision about your case without committing. Call us today to schedule your free case review.