Aug 3, 2016 - Personal Injury by Justin Roberts
Although word of mouth referrals are usually the best way to find a personal injury lawyer, here’s a quick guide to know what to look for when you are meeting with an attorney for the first time (we use “he” as an example only; “she” applies equally as well):
Does he respect you personally and as a client? When you explained your case, did he actually pay attention? Has he truly listened to your concerns when you met with him in his office? You want an attorney who returns phone calls promptly and keeps you informed of developments in your case.
Does he limit his practice to personal injury claims? Do not go with a general practice lawyer, no matter how good he may be in other legal areas. Laws change all the time, and a general practitioner may not be able to keep up with the most recent developments in the area of personal injury law. The more experience in personal injury your attorney has, the quicker he can close the case, and the more money he can get for you in settlement.
What is his success rate? Ask how many cases he has won and the average award amount. Ask for past client references and actually contact them.
Is he effective at dealing with insurance companies? Because most personal injury claims are settled outside of court, a competent lawyer should know how to deal with insurance companies and their corporate lawyers. Can he show you proof of successful past negotiations?
Is he prepared to file a lawsuit and take it to trial if necessary? While most cases never see the inside of a courtroom, you should still be prepared.
Is he an honest and trustworthy person? Can you respect or admire him? The truth is that you cannot separate a person’s character and integrity from his or her professional life. You need to be able to trust your lawyer, mentally and emotionally, to help get you through the confusing and disruptive time in your life caused by the accident. If someone does not make a good impression on you, it is okay to go with your gut instinct and look for a lawyer you can really trust.
If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of an accident, our Texas personal injury attorneys have the experience and resources to help you through this difficult time and obtain just compensation for your injuries. Please call 800-248-6000 or contact us for a free consultation.
Justin is an attorney at Roberts & Roberts and focuses his practice on mass tort litigation, where he specializes in helping individuals who are harmed by recalled or unsafe pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices. He has earned recognition as a “Top 40 Under 40” Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers. Prior to joining Roberts & Roberts, Justin served as an attorney in all three branches of Texas’s state government, including as a Briefing Attorney on the Texas Supreme Court. He also represented electric and natural gas utilities in complex regulatory proceedings before the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Railroad Commission of Texas. Justin is a published author in the St. Mary’s Law Journal.
