Accidents happen all the time. Whether it’s a car crash, medical case, or trip and fall, even a minor incident can cause major damages. You could find yourself out of work while you cover.
Meanwhile, you’ll have to pay for your medical expenses and losses.
By pursuing a personal injury case, you can receive the compensation you need to build a case. Trying to build a personal injury lawsuit can feel confusing on your own, though. Instead, consider hiring a personal injury lawyer who can help.
Inexperienced with finding a lawyer? There are over 135,221 personal injury attorneys to choose from. With that in mind, it helps to know what you’re looking for before you start your search.
Here are seven tips that can help you find the best personal injury attorney in Austin, TX. With these tips, you can build your case and cover your losses. Start your research with this guide today!
1. Speak With Friends and Family
Before you head online to search for a personal injury attorney, it helps to know what you need. What kind of incident were you in?
There are different types of personal injury cases you can pursue, including:
- Assault and battery
- Workplace incidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Automobile (car, truck, bike, motorcycle) accidents
- Product liability
- Animal bites
- Defamation
- Assault and battery
- Elder abuse and neglect
- Premise liability
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful deaths
What kind of accident or incident were you in? About six million auto accidents occur every year in the US. These accidents cause about three million injuries.
In these instances, you’ll need an automobile accident attorney.
Did someone die as a result of the crash? You’ll want to make sure the lawyer understands wrongful death laws.
Once you know what type of attorney you need, speak to your friends and family members. Were any of them in a similar situation recently?
They could help point you in the right direction.
Ask them about the lawyer they hired. Did they have any problems? Was the lawyer knowledgeable and helpful?
Speaking with someone who has been in your shoes can streamline your search.
2. Look for Experienced Experts
If you don’t know anyone who’s been in your shoes before, that’s okay. Instead, start your search online. You can check the Martindale-Hubbell directory or your local bar association website.
As you develop a list of personal injury lawyers, make sure each one is licensed to practice in the area. Your local bar association website will let you know their professional standing is up-to-date.
It’s important to find someone who is knowledgeable and experienced.
How long have they worked as an attorney in Austin, TX? Laws can differ based on where you are. You’ll want to find someone who understands Austin’s laws.
How many cases like yours have they handled over the years? What was the outcome of those cases?
You can also learn more about their capabilities by looking into their certifications. Are they board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy? If so, they likely have extensive courtroom experience.
Are they part of an organization like the American Association of Justice? Do they hold any leadership roles? Someone in a leadership position has likely earned the respect of their peers in the area.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to build your case. They’ll also know which procedures, cases, and laws to reference when building your case.
3. Make Sure They’re Winners
It’s not enough to find someone with years of experience. You also want to make sure you’re hiring a personal injury attorney who can win your case.
Take a look at their track record. How many cases have they won over the years? How many of those cases were recent?
Make sure the attorney has improved over time.
Ask about the payout for each case, too. What’s the average they win from a lawsuit?
4. Read Up on Reviews
You don’t have to believe an attorney when they say they’re the best in town. Instead, head online to learn more about their professional reputation. Reading online reviews can help you learn more about their abilities.
You can find reviews on your local bar association website and the Better Business Bureau site.
Make sure to read multiple reviews. You might notice one or two negatives. That’s okay. Reading a number of reviews will help paint a better picture of the attorney.
5. Schedule a Consultation
Take your research a step further by scheduling a free consultation appointment in person. This meeting will give you an opportunity to ask any lingering questions you have.
During your consultation, pay attention to how the personal injury attorney speaks.
Are they confident? Do they communicate clearly? Are they easy to understand?
Don’t forget to ask about their schedule. Do they have a heavy workload? Can they manage the time necessary for your case?
If they can’t dedicate time and attention to your case, you might want to look elsewhere.
6. Ask About Their Resources
Your personal injury lawyer might need to rely on their network to build your case.
For example, a medical malpractice case might require a medical expert to testify regarding your personal injuries. If there was a surgical error, the medical expert might help prove the surgeon was negligent.
If you were in a car crash, you might require an investigator to look into the details of your case.
Does the personal injury attorney you’re researching have a network? If not, they might fail to build a strong case on your behalf.
7. Check the Contract
Make sure to review each lawyer’s contract, too.
What fee structure do they use? If they use a contingency fee structure, they’ll only require payment if they win your case.
This could encourage the lawyer to work even harder to win on your behalf.
Pick a Pro: 7 Tips for Finding the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Austin, TX
Once you’ve completed these seven steps, take a look at your notes. Which personal injury lawyer in Austin, TX seems most capable of taking on your case? Who do you trust to represent your best interests?
With these seven tips, you can find a personal injury attorney who will win the compensation you deserve.
Ready to build your case? We’re here to help. Contact us today for legal expertise throughout Texas!
