Skip to main content How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
When the unexpected happens, and you are hurt in a car crash, slip and fall, or another incident, you need an experienced and determined personal injury attorney. Finding excellent legal representation can give you the best chance of recovering the compensation you need and deserve.
Not all law firms are the same. Some attorneys prefer a quick settlement and have not gone to trial or had a verdict in years. Not Morgan & Morgan. We go the extra mile and never accept the best offer from an insurance company when a case is worth much more.
We want to get you the best results as fast as possible. Get started today, and let us identify your legal options and next best steps in a free case evaluation.
Choosing the Best Personal Injury Attorney for You
The lawyer you hire can make or break your case. Finding the best legal representation, while involving some homework, can be critical for your future health and financial situation. An inexperienced or unenthusiastic lawyer can sink your case, leaving you out of pocket. You only have one shot at winning a personal injury case, so give yourself the best chance. Here are some tips for finding the most successful attorneys:
1. Specialization
A Jack of all trades is usually a master of none. Personal injury law is a huge field and deals with anything from dog bites to slander. While some lawyers handle various claims, specific personal injury cases are more complex than others. For example, if you were injured by medical negligence, you need an attorney with extensive medical malpractice experience and connections in the medical field.
2. Track Record and Experience
To give yourself the best chance of winning and recovering a settlement, only work with an experienced attorney who has previously handled and won cases like yours. They must have extensive trial experience and a successful track record of negotiating out-of-court settlements, as most personal injury claims never see a courtroom. When meeting your attorney for the first time, ask them about verdicts and settlements they have won in recent years. A successful attorney will be happy to tell you.
3. Resources
Choosing a law firm with the resources to fight even lengthy claims can be essential for recovering fair compensation. Personal injury claims can be expensive to prepare, often requiring professional investigators and expert witnesses. When you attend the first consultation with a prospective attorney, take a good look at their offices. Does it look like they are successful?
Small law firms may take shortcuts that could be detrimental to your case. Moreover, attorneys without adequate resources may not want to go to trial to fight for what you truly deserve and instead advise you to settle for an insurer’s last best offer.
Morgan & Morgan never settles for less. Our attorneys are experienced litigators who can fearlessly take your case all the way to trial. Size matters when it comes to law firms.
4. Contingency Fee
While most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning you don’t pay unless and until they win, not all do. Some smaller law firms may not have the resources required to handle complex lawsuits and might charge clients retainers or hourly fees. However, this can leave you stuck with steep attorney’s fees whether they win or lose your case. If you don’t want to risk losing a large amount of money, ensure that your attorney works with a contingency fee.
5. Personality
The best track record, credentials, and client reviews mean little when you dislike your attorney. In some instances, getting a fair settlement can take years. Depending on the complexity of your case, you may spend a lot of time with your attorney. Therefore, it is critical that you feel comfortable and trust them fully.
Choose an attorney who openly and honestly answers your questions and patiently explains the legal process in a language you understand. They should also be willing to address your concerns. You want an attorney who has your best interests at heart and wants to see you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. If you suspect the lawyer is merely looking for a quick check, move on to a better match.
More answers to commonly asked questions
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?
A personal injury lawyer can help you recover maximum compensation when you are hurt due to the carelessness or deliberate actions of another, whether a business or an individual. An attorney can handle the legal process and:
Assess Your Claim
In the first instance, your lawyer will want to look at the circumstances and facts of your accident to determine whether you have a case. Since most personal injury attorneys work on contingency and do not get paid if they lose, they only take on cases with a good chance of winning.
Build Your Case
Your attorney will collect as much information and evidence as possible to build a comprehensive case against the at-fault party and prove your claim. The evidence they may gather can include:
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Accident and incident reports
- Eyewitness statements
To determine an adequate settlement amount, your personal injury lawyer will also collect and organize evidence of your damages, such as medical treatment costs, income losses, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Handle the Insurance Company
Victims may not know the true worth of their claims and could get pushed into lowball settlement offers by insurance companies. Although insurance adjusters may appear friendly and helpful, their loyalties lie with their employer and not with you. An experienced attorney can protect you from an insurer’s manipulative tactics and take over all communication with the company, giving you the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.
File a Lawsuit and Represent You at Trial
When an insurance company or at-fault party refuses to pay up, your attorney can file a complaint against them, which is the first step of a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the other side is still dragging its heels, your attorney can take your case to trial and fight powerfully for what you deserve in the courtroom.
Take the Burden off Your Shoulders
The aftermath of an accident can be stressful and exhausting. You likely have a lot on your plate, such as handling medical and work issues and reorganizing your life. An attorney can ensure you have time to concentrate on what matters most: your health and getting your life back together. When a dedicated lawyer represents you, they will deal with everything, including opposing attorneys, insurers, and all court matters.
Morgan & Morgan Is Here for You
Don’t make the mistake of handling your lawsuit alone or hiring a second-rate law firm. When you are severely injured, and your health, livelihood, home life, and future are at stake, you need a law firm that truly cares and will fight tooth and nail for what you deserve. Morgan & Morgan is on your side. We:
- Protect the people and not the powerful
- Deliver results, with over $15 billion in damages recovered to date
- Boast more than 800 trial-ready lawyers and thousands of support team members
- Have the resources to take on even the biggest bullies in America
- Work with specialized attorneys experienced in handling cases like yours
- Have tens of thousands of satisfied past clients
- Never charge clients a dime upfront
- Always fight for maximum compensation
Most importantly, we understand what you are going through and know that getting an adequate settlement can be critical for your future. What’s more, you become part of our family when we handle your claim. We will fight as hard for you as we would for an injured family member. You are in good hands with America’s largest injury firm.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
While Morgan & Morgan’s personal injury attorneys can handle all types of injury claims, we commonly see the following cases in our practice:
- Slips and falls
- Car accidents
- Work accidents
- Dog bites
- Dangerous products and medications
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
The time to file legal action could be limited. Therefore, if you are injured, and someone else is to blame, let us know as soon as possible, so we can assess your accident and help you get justice.
Which Damages Could I Recover With an Injury Claim?
Choosing a skilled personal injury attorney to handle your case can help you recover the compensation needed to cover your past, present, and future expected expenses due to an injury. While a payout will depend on your specific injuries and circumstances, you could recover:
Medical Treatment and Medication Costs
Medical bills can quickly become astronomical with a severe or life-changing injury. You could receive all necessary healthcare and medication expenses, including but not limited to:
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices
- Specialist appointments
- Over-the-counter and prescription drugs
- Cost of a home health aide
- Psychological counseling
Pain and Anguish
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could qualify for non-economic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, loss of life enjoyment, and others.
Loss of Earnings
Lost wages can be a big part of your settlement, especially if you suffered a temporary or permanently disabling injury. Victims could be entitled to reimbursement for loss of wages, loss of future earning capacity, and other payments, such as:
- Overtime pay
- Health insurance
- 401k contributions
- Potential promotions
- Commission and tips
- Bonuses
- Sick leave and vacation
This list is not exhaustive, and you could be entitled to other damages. Consult with an experienced injury lawyer to determine what may be due to you.
Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help if I Was Injured at Work?
In most cases, employees who get hurt at work qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, such as loss of wages and healthcare costs. However, there are several circumstances where hiring or consulting an attorney can be a good idea. Consider speaking to a lawyer if your workers’ compensation claim is reduced or denied, as they could help you appeal and receive the benefits you deserve.
Depending on who is responsible for your injury, you could also qualify for a personal injury lawsuit and recover damages in addition to workers’ compensation. For example, if you got hurt due to a third party’s carelessness or an employer deliberately or maliciously caused your accident, you could pursue compensation.
Morgan & Morgan’s personal injury attorneys are here to help you learn about your legal rights and options if you are unsure about your next best steps after a work accident.
Can I Afford an Injury Lawyer?
Most injury attorneys handle claims on a “no-win-no-fee” basis, which means that you don’t have to pay them unless and until they resolve the claim in your favor and recover compensation for you. However, some firms charge legal costs upfront, such as:
- The court filing fee
- Transcription costs
- Mailing expenses
- Expert witness fees
- Costs of pulling official documents
Unlike some law firms, Morgan & Morgan never charges clients anything upfront. We don’t want you to worry about more bills when finances might be tight after suffering an injury. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery. Therefore, you pay nothing until you win.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys Are Ready to Fight for You
Choosing a great injury lawyer can feel exhausting. Why struggle and spend hours searching when you could get America’s largest personal injury law firm to handle your claim? We can match you up with a specialized attorney who has fought and won claims like yours, saving you time and hassle.
Let Morgan & Morgan fight for what you deserve so you can concentrate on getting better. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation to find out more.