What Makes a Good Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are over 1.3 million lawyers in the United States as of 2023, with nearly 4 lawyers for every 1,000 residents nationwide. The percentage of female lawyers has slowly increased over the past decade from 34% in 2013 to 39% in 2023, though male attorneys still greatly outnumber females.
With so many lawyers to choose from, how do you know if you have found a good personal injury lawyer to handle your case? There are several factors that contribute to being an effective personal injury attorney.
Strong Negotiation Skills
A large part of a personal injury lawyer’s job involves negotiating settlements with insurance companies. An experienced lawyer will have developed strong negotiation tactics through their many years of settling cases. They understand what insurers may initially offer and what realistic counteroffers they can make to reach a fair settlement. Negotiating a satisfactory settlement helps the client avoid an unnecessary trial.
Courtroom Experience
Though many injury cases settle out of court, some do go to trial. The median age for lawyers in the U.S. is 47.5 years old, indicating that many have decades of experience with trials and litigation procedures. This extensive courtroom experience allows them to effectively argue before a judge and jury to maximize the client’s financial recovery. Even if a trial seems unlikely, the threat of taking a case to court can motivate an insurer to make a higher settlement offer.
Resources and Connections
The best personal injury lawyers have connections they can leverage to build a strong case, such as relationships with reputable expert witnesses. These experts can provide opinions on issues like the extent of injuries or engineering defects that caused an accident. A lawyer with resources can also afford to front case costs like medical records and investigation fees while awaiting a settlement.
Compassion and Communication
A personal injury client is likely going through physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial uncertainty. A good lawyer offers compassion while communicating clearly at every stage. They explain the process in understandable terms, realistically assess compensation potential, express genuine concern, and reduce the stresses of seeking compensation for injuries.
Attention to Detail
Building a persuasive injury case requires meticulous attention to detail. Diligent personal injury attorneys gather all evidence, documentation, and testimony that can strengthen their client’s position. They also identify and prepare counterarguments to any claims made by insurance companies aiming to reduce payouts. Leaving out a single critical piece of evidence could negatively impact the case outcome.
Objectivity
Though a lawyer advocates for their client’s interests, they must also maintain objectivity. Making exaggerated or false claims will damage credibility. The best lawyers stick to arguments supported by facts and evidence. If a client has clear liability in causing the accident, an ethical lawyer will advise seeking a fair settlement over pursuing an unrealistic trial victory.
Efficiency and Responsiveness
After an accident, clients need compensation as soon as possible to pay for medical care, replace lost wages, and get life back on track. An effective personal injury lawyer works efficiently by promptly gathering evidence, contacting insurers, filing paperwork, and pushing the case forward while keeping clients updated every step of the way. Responsiveness and reliability provide much-needed reassurance.
While every lawyer is different, looking for these key indicators can help you find the right one to tackle your injury case. With a trustworthy and highly capable attorney on your side, you can feel confident your rights and interests are protected as you take on the legal battle to recover damages.
