Injury happens in an instant and with no warning. It could be something that happens at work—the ladder you're using to change the light bulb slips out from under you, and you plummet five stories. Or it could be something that happens while driving to work—a careless driver on a mobile device hits you, sending your vehicle into a spin and catapulting your body into the windshield. These episodes can cause injuries that profoundly impact your life for the next few weeks, months, or even years. If that is the case, there are two things you need to know about the situation: First, you'll only get one shot at filing a claim against the negligent party; and second, it will pay to find a reliable personal injury attorney in your area.

But how do you know that you have found a good lawyer? If you have been injured and need to hire a personal injury lawyer, this article will help you narrow down your options until you find the right one.

Qualities to Look for When Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are looking for a personal injury attorney, you have options to choose from. You can simply choose one at random and take your chances, or you can look for specific qualities to help you narrow down your search. Here are some qualities that you should look for.

1 - Experience

Experience is key in any field, but it is especially important in personal injury. The more time your lawyer has spent working on personal injury cases, the more likely he or she is to know the ins and outs of your particular situation.

A good personal injury lawyer will have a wide variety of experience under his or her belt, with cases ranging from car accidents to slip-and-falls to motorcycle accidents. There are some specialties, like truck accidents and slip-and-falls, that are just not as common as other types of injury cases and will require more experience to handle properly.

Be wary of the newbie attorney who has no experience or only has experience in one type of case. While it is possible for this attorney to do a good job for you, you may be better served by going to an attorney who has had more experience.

2 - Connections

Good personal injury attorneys know a lot of other people. These people can be very helpful in a personal injury case because they can be used as witnesses to help validate your claim. If the other driver in your car accident was intoxicated, for example, the manager at the bar where he was drinking can help you prove that.

The witnesses that your attorney knows will not be limited to people who can help with your case. He or she will also be able to recommend doctors, therapists, and other professionals who can help you recover from your injuries. These people will not only be able to help you get better, but they will also be able to help you prove your case in court.

3 - Compassion

Compassion is a quality that many lawyers have lost sight of in their quest to put their clients in the best position possible. While the strongest case is usually the best case, there is no reason to be heartless while doing it.

Your personal injury attorney should be compassionate toward you and your family. He or she should be willing to go above and beyond to help you and should be willing to take your needs into consideration.

Your personal injury lawyer should also be compassionate toward the other driver or the other party in your case. This does not mean that your attorney will let this person off the hook for causing your injuries; it just means that your attorney will not bring the same level of animosity to the case that you may feel.

4 - Responsiveness 

Good personal injury attorneys are quick to respond to phone calls, emails, and even snail mail. While responsive communication is difficult to quantify, it is a good indicator of how committed an attorney is to his or her clients.

When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you are handing over your case to them and trusting them to do their very best. If the lawyer you are working with is slow to respond to your questions or concerns, it may be that he or she is not taking you as seriously as you would like. You will probably not get the level of service you hope for from such a lawyer.

5 - Honesty

The best personal injury attorneys are honest and up-front with their clients. They are not afraid to tell you when things are likely to go badly or when they think you have not presented your case well. 

Good personal injury attorneys are also honest with their clients when good things are likely to happen. They will not mislead their clients into thinking that they will win their case when they really have no chance.

Just as honesty is important in telling you when you have a chance at winning your lawsuit, it is also important in telling you how much money you will receive for your injury. Good personal injury attorneys will be as honest about this as possible. They will tell you what your case is worth, so you can make financial plans based on that information.

6 - Experience Working with Your Type of Case

Personal injury cases are unique, and every case is different from any other. This means that there are some attorneys who are better at handling some types of cases than they are at handling other types of cases.

A good personal injury attorney knows the ins and outs of his or her practice and will have worked with many different types of cases. This will help you find someone who is an expert in your particular type of case or who knows how to handle it better than others.

Conclusion 

If you have been injured in an accident and need to find a personal injury attorney, you will have lots of options. Instead of just choosing one at random, take these tips into consideration when you look for a good personal injury lawyer in your area. This can help you find a lawyer who is well-equipped to handle your case,whether it is a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or something else.

If you are looking for a good personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, visit Mendez and Sanchez Law. Our attorneys and team members are here to help you through the difficult legal landscape as we pursue the compensation you deserve. Please contact us for your Personal Injury, AutoAccident, Workers' Compensation, Slip and Fall, or other legal needs today!

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