According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 39 million Americans each year sustain injuries that require medical attention.

A personal injury is a traumatic event that can alter your life in the blink of an eye. Often, you’ll need to hire an attorney to look after your best interest as you seek legal remedy due to the negligent actions of another party.

So, how do you go about looking for the most suitable bodily injury lawyer to help you navigate the legal aftermath of your injury?

1. Ask Friends and Family

Do you have any friends or family members who retained the services of a bodily injury lawyer in the past? Ask them about their experience with the attorney. If you like what you hear, you can add that lawyer to your list of candidates to check out.

It’s worth noting that different people have varied experiences with the lawyer they hire. Thus, it’s unwise to base your selection solely on someone else’s experience.

Meet the recommended lawyer and walk them through your case to get a more reliable feel of whether you can work together fruitfully.

2. Another Lawyer’s Recommendation

Talking to other lawyers, you may know, can be a handy means to finding the right bodily injury lawyer. When you ask an attorney you know for a recommendation, they will likely offer up someone whose skill and reputation they can bank on.

That’s because word-of-mouth is crucial to a lawyer’s reputation. If you were to receive an attorney recommendation from a lawyer and it turns out to be a lemon, the said lawyer will suffer due to the negative word-of-mouth review you’d pass along to others.

As such, you have a great chance of landing a reputable personal injury attorney this way. Of course, you shouldn’t hire any attorney primarily due to another lawyer’s recommendation. Conduct your due diligence to determine whether what you’ve heard is true.

3. Local Bar Association Referrals

Every state has its local bar association, and these associations have a referral service for lawyers according to their specialization. Some of these referral services screen the attorneys they will recommend carefully and only list those with specific qualifications and relevant experience.

On the other hand, some bar associations’ referral services only list attorneys in good standing with the state bar. The downside here is that such an attorney will only need to maintain their liability license to get a referral. There will be little insight into anything else concerning their experience or qualification.

With that in mind, inquire with the bar association on their requirements for qualifications and experience when referring attorneys. You should also ask the bar about how carefully they assess lawyers they refer.

Remember that even with the most carefully scrutinized attorney on referral, you still won’t get a feel of their operating approach. You can only glean that from interviewing the lawyer further.

What to Look For When Selecting a Bodily Injury Lawyer

Knowing where to look for a personal injury attorney is only half the battle. As you make your inquiries, you need to know what traits to look for åto point you to a reputable lawyer.

Some things to look out for that can help you hire the right attorney include:

1. Experience Level

Personal injury is an expansive area of practice, and seeking an attorney with personal injury experience alone isn’t enough. You need to hire a lawyer who has a track record in types of cases similar to yours.

For example, hiring a lawyer with an extensive track record on slip and fall cases for a medical malpractice suit won’t do.

While a personal injury lawyer can handle several categories within the area, they can’t be an expert in all. Your goal is to key in on the lawyer who is a proven expert in your type of case.

2. The Contact Person for Your Case

One of the most vital tips for finding a bodily injury lawyer is to ask who will be handling your case on a day-to-day basis. Why should this matter?

In many firms, the attorney you speak to isn’t necessarily the one who will handle your case. There is a possibility that once you sign the contract, you will be interacting with someone else more often as your case progresses.

It’s, therefore, imperative you find out who would be your handler should you work with the attorney. You’ll then have time to gauge whether you can comfortably work with the person who’d handle your case.

3. Whether You Can Work With the Attorney

Just because an attorney possesses the relevant qualifications does not mean they are the best lawyer for your case. Working personal injury cases need a degree of confidence and safety.

Your personal injury lawyer should listen to you. You should not work with an attorney who won’t remain engaged with what you share with them.

On the flip side, your lawyer needs to do more than listen to avoid being a yes man. You want to hire an attorney who pays attention to what you say then takes the initiative to act on it.

Such an attorney will never leave you wondering what’s happening with your case. They will know how to include you as they navigate the case. You’ll have more peace of mind, which helps you manage your case more effectively.

Another trait to look for that can inspire confidence in an attorney is being through. A lawyer who pays attention to detail is worth their weight in gold.

You can tell straight off the bat if a lawyer will focus on the details that can make an or break a case. Watch to see how deeply they dig into the information you present them during the first meeting and if they ensure you have all the necessary documentation front the very start.

Hire the Right Lawyer to Look After Your Interests

Although an accident only takes a few seconds, its impact can be felt for a long time to come. To process the aftermath of a personal injury, you need to hire a competent bodily injury lawyer with a compelling track record to get the justice you deserve.

Dealing with the fallout ceased by another person’s negligent act can be difficult. Our website publishes insightful articles to help you learn how to cope with bodily injuries. Check out more of our content to learn how you can seek justice due to personal injury.