Texas Personal Injury Lawyer
When you need to find a personal injury lawyer, it’s usually because an accident or other incident happened, and you may feel pressured to get an attorney right away. But finding the right lawyer is an important decision that shouldn’t be rushed. Here are some tips for finding the right Texas personal injury lawyer to handle your case.
What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer
The following factors can help in your search for a personal injury lawyer:
- Experience. You need a lawyer who has handled cases like yours. Selecting a lawyer with the right experience is one of the most important factors in your case. Lawyers with experience in your type of personal injury case not only know Texas law inside and out, but they have also worked with adjustors from a variety of insurance companies, usually know prosecutors and judges personally, and understand what realistic and expected outcomes could be for your case.
- Determination. An experienced lawyer represents your interests tirelessly. Complex personal injury cases can take months or even years to finish. While many cases end with a settlement offer from insurance, your lawyer must be prepared to take your case to trial if necessary, passionately representing your interests in court.
- Reputation. Asking friends and family members for recommendations is a great way to find a trusted legal representative. You can also read a lawyer’s website to see if it includes client testimonials or case outcomes, check online reviews, or work with your local bar association to find a lawyer they recommend for your case.
- Specialization. Most lawyers work in specific areas of the law. A lawyer who focuses their practice on estate planning may not be the best choice to handle a criminal case or personal injury lawsuit. If you know a lawyer personally who you like but they don’t handle personal injury cases, ask them for a referral. Lawyers have a broad network and usually will have an informed opinion on a recommendation.
Types of Personal Injury Lawyers
“Personal injury” cases are a broad umbrella with specific, sometimes tragic circumstances. You will want to make sure that the lawyer you select has experience specific to your type of personal injury case, which could include:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Car, SUV, and van accidents
- Plant/refinery accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Construction accidents
- Slip and fall
- Product liability
- Nursing home/elder abuse
- Daycare abuse
- Wrongful death
What to Expect From Your Personal Injury Attorney
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you should expect the following:
- Communication. No matter how short or long your case lasts, you need a lawyer who will communicate with you regularly when there are developments or updates. Ask about their communication style and frequency during your initial consultation.
- Case management. If there are multiple lawyers in the firm, ask who specifically will be in charge of your case. It may not be the first lawyer you meet with during your consultation.
- Rapport. You want a lawyer you get along with and feel is trustworthy, someone who makes you feel they will passionately represent your needs and fight for justice for you or your loved one.
- Expected outcome. An experienced lawyer will be able to discuss with you how they expect your case to go based on previous experience, including any potential settlement.
- Transparency on costs. Discuss how attorney fees will work at your initial consultation. Many personal injury lawyers work cases on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid until the successful resolution of your case. For example, their fee would be taken as a percentage of any settlement you receive. Be sure you understand the terms and read any contract carefully before signing.
The lawyers at SJ Injury Attorneys have handled hundreds of personal injury cases in the Houston and Pasadena, Texas, area. Their case results demonstrate their continued commitment to getting justice for people who have been harmed by others’ negligence, and their lawyers work tirelessly to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for each of their clients.