The legal definition of a personal injury is damage to your emotions, reputation, or physical condition. Lawsuits may be brought due to negligence, strict liability, or intentional wrongs such as assault or infliction of emotional distress.
If you believe another person is responsible for your personal injury, seek legal advice. We will explain common mistakes people make after searching for the best personal injury lawyer near me.
Just because a lawyer is at the top of your Google search list doesn’t mean they are the best. Consider the following during your search.
Not Enough Experience
The amount of legal knowledge the attorney has is crucial to you receiving a fair settlement for your injuries. You want an attorney who knows how to negotiate out-of-court settlements and is confident presenting at trial.
While many personal injury cases reach a settlement before the trial date, there is always a risk of trial. Ask your attorney about their success rate on issues similar to yours.
Attractive Advertising
A great-looking website, fancy business card, or eye-catching ad is doing its job by getting your attention. You want to hire a personal injury lawyer with experience in law, not advertising.
Ask the attorney legal questions. Do they understand your case? Are they familiar with your type of personal injury?
When it comes to winning in court, the judge and jury don’t care what a full-page ad says about the lawyer. They care about the evidence and what witnesses say about your case. Make sure the lawyer answers your questions thoroughly and with confidence.
A Guaranteed Win
Do not choose a personal injury lawyer who guarantees a big win. The best personal injury lawyer won’t make you promises they can’t guarantee. They can estimate what you might receive or what they will likely ask for, but they cannot guarantee a win.
Your personal injury lawyer knows they need to review all your medical records, lost wage records, long-term prognosis, and more before determining the damage amount they will request. They also know that you may receive higher or lower than that amount, depending on what a jury determines at trial.
Choosing a Smorgasbord Lawyer
Having a wide assortment of things on your plate is great when dining out, but not when working in law. You need an attorney who offers a limited number of legal areas that all relate to each other.
A personal injury attorney will likely deal with a variety of accident injuries. This may include accidents in cars, trucks, motorcycles, and boats, shootings, nursing home abuse, dog bites, premises liability, and wrongful death. These all relate to someone suffering a personal injury.
Hiring Your Best Friend’s Sister
Do your research. Ensure the person you hire has the qualifications to handle the job correctly. Just because your best friend’s sister is an attorney doesn’t mean she is the attorney for your case.
You need to search elsewhere if the attorney appears uncomfortable discussing any of these areas.
Appearance Isn’t Everything
Anyone can purchase an expensive car or furnish an office to make a successful impression. Make sure the attorney you hire isn’t ego-flashing you with nothing to back it up. Ask questions to confirm they have the knowledge, skill, and experience to:
- Gather evidence, conduct depositions, interrogatories, and more
- Negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel
- Take the matter to trial if necessary
If the attorney appears uncomfortable discussing any of these areas, you need to search elsewhere.
The Best Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
Before you conduct an internet search for the best personal injury lawyer near me, schedule an appointment with Wright & Gray Trial Lawyers. We will evaluate your case and advise you on your best options.
Call 888-912-4944 to schedule a free consultation, or use our online contact form. While there, download our free guide, How to Maximize the Value of Your Personal Injury Case.