If you were injured in an accident, you may be looking for a personal injury lawyer to help with your case. In this article, we provide a guide for this process, including some reasons why you should consider hiring an attorney and some things to look for in a lawyer before hiring them for your case.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case?
There are many reasons to hire an injury lawyer for your case. An attorney can help with your case in many ways, including:
Your Lawyer Does the Heavy-Lifting for Building Your Case
Building a strong case after an accident is important for your personal injury case. Whether you were injured in a car accident, truck accident, or another incident, you as the victim must have a solid case for why you need compensation from the accident. This involves gathering evidence of the other party’s negligence as well as your accident-related damages.
When you hire a personal injury attorney, they handle a lot of these tasks for you so you can focus on your healing and recovery after an accident. Your lawyer helps with everything from gathering evidence and calculating the value of your case to negotiating with insurance adjusters to help you get the best settlement possible. When needed, they also help you file a lawsuit and present your case in court as you seek compensation. Therefore, a lawyer offers a lot of value for your case.
Your Injury Lawyer Offers Legal Knowledge & Guidance
Another reason to hire an attorney for your personal injury case is to get legal advice from a knowledgeable professional. This can be incredibly helpful, as there are many things that affect your case. For instance, how do you know who is at fault for the accident? What kinds of damages are you entitled to as a victim? Is it better to accept a settlement from the insurance company or to file a lawsuit? Your attorney can answer these questions and provide you with legal counsel personalized to your case.
Your Personal Injury Attorney Helps You Maximize Compensation for Your Case
In addition, hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you increase your compensation amount. While every case is different, some studies, including one from the Insurance Research Council, have found that people who hire auto accident attorneys for their case receive more compensation on average compared to those who don’t. Therefore, while there is no guarantee, evidence suggests that hiring a lawyer is a way that can help you hedge your bets for maximum compensation for your damages.
What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Of course, not every personal injury lawyer is the same. It’s important to know how to find an attorney that will represent you well for your case. There are several ways to do your due diligence on an attorney. This research can help you hire the right professional for your needs. Here are some things to consider before choosing a lawyer to represent you:
Look at Their Credentials
One of the first things to look at is their credentials. Lawyers need a license to practice. In Texas, they need a license from the Texas State Bar to practice as a lawyer. So, this is something to check when looking for a lawyer.
It’s also helpful to look at other credentials that distinguish the attorney as an experienced professional. For instance, any specialties, associations, awards, or recognitions. Another thing to look for is whether they are board certified, which is an additional credential that lawyers can obtain.
Board Certification is a Major Accomplishment for an Attorney
It’s important to understand that board certification for a personal injury lawyer is quite an achievement and demonstrates that the attorney has significant experience and legal knowledge. Board certification through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) requires many different things from lawyers to show legal practice excellence. Here are some of the requirements for TBLS board certification for lawyers:
- Must be in good standing with the State Bar
- Must have practiced full-time at least 5 years
- Lawyer must have 3-5 years of experience in the specialty area
- Complete 60 hours of additional education within 3 years of the application date
- Provide 5 qualified references from local lawyers and judges
- Documentation of legal experience
- Must pass a day-long examination in the specialty area
Therefore, board certification for a personal injury attorney is a significant achievement that shows a lawyer has a lot of experience in the field. You may benefit from looking for board certified attorneys for your case because it is a marker of significant experience and training.
Check Reviews and Word of Mouth for Reputation
It’s also helpful to look at a personal injury lawyer’s reputation in the industry. There are several ways to check this. One simple way is to check out online reviews and testimonials. You can typically find these not only on the attorney’s website, but also on other sites like Google, Yelp, and lawyer-specific review sites like Avvo.
Also, word of mouth recommendations can also be helpful for determining the lawyer’s reputation. Ask around with your friends, family, colleagues, and others to learn more about the lawyer and see if they are a good fit for your case.
Ask About Their Experience as an Injury Lawyer
Experience is a huge plus for any lawyer. You want a personal injury lawyer that has helped with similar cases before. For instance, you wouldn’t call someone who specializes in divorces to act as your Houston car accident lawyer. Instead, you want to find an attorney that has experience with the type of case you have, as well as even similar specifics like accidents with commercial trucks or drunk drivers.
It’s also helpful to find an attorney with experience both settling out of court and taking personal injury cases to trial. After all, you never know what route your case will take. While most accident cases settle outside of court, there are times where insurance companies won’t negotiate a fair settlement deal and you may need to go to court for your case. It’s helpful to know your attorney has experience with both situations.
Look for a Personal Injury Lawyer that Listens and Communicates
Now, someone can have great credentials, experience, and reputation, but it’s also important to look for a professional that feels right. One of the biggest complaints many people have is that their lawyer doesn’t seem to listen or communicate well with them. You want an attorney that has a communication style that matches your own and keeps you in the loop for your case at all times. During your consultation, look out for signs that they are listening to you and that they are going to communicate with you as often as you need, whether it’s answering your questions or giving you updates on your case. It also doesn’t hurt to ask how often to expect to hear from them and their team if you hire them for your case.
Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston – The Law Office of Daniel D. Horowitz III, PC
When you need an experienced personal injury attorney, consider The Law Office of Daniel D. Horowitz III, PC. Mr. Horowitz offers years of experience with personal injury cases ranging from car accidents to defective products and is a board certified personal injury lawyer in the state of Texas. Mr. Horowitz offers legal services for personal injury cases throughout the Greater Houston area and is here to help you fight for your rights after an accident. Get in touch now for a free consultation with our legal team.