A personal injury lawyer offers legal representation to those who have been injured in an accident caused by the negligent or intentional actions of another. These lawyers assist in filing claims and fighting to help their clients receive compensation that covers their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
With that being said, if you’ve been injured in a Houston accident that resulted from someone else’s actions, you need to turn to an experienced personal injury lawyer. However, choosing the right one isn’t always simple. States as large as Texas have many personal injury lawyers, so discovering the one that can best serve your needs can take a considerable amount of time and effort on your part.
Below are some of the key factors that go into choosing the right Houston personal injury attorney for your case:
Consider Experience Level
As you start considering Houston personal injury attorneys, one of the first things you need to do is look for those with significant experience. That said, accomplishing the task isn’t as easy as it may sound, mainly because personal injury law is such a broad field.
It comprises all of the following matters:
- Work accidents
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Product liability
- Oilfield accidents
As such, if you have been injured in a auto accident that was someone else’s fault, you won’t benefit as much from a lawyer who, despite decades of experience, has only dealt with medical malpractice claims.
They’d likely know the basics of personal injury law, but there can be significant differences in the approach to each specific type of personal injury case. Texas medical malpractice cases, for instance, have a monetary limit for non-economic damages, while those involving car accidents do not.
It’s also crucial to understand that not all personal injury claims are easily resolved. Many times, your case can end up in court, which means you may require an attorney who will be ready to represent you at trial, given their years of experience doing so.
Check Their Track Record and Read Reviews
Choosing a Houston personal injury lawyer can get even trickier, as experience alone isn’t enough. A lawyer could have been working in the field for decades and still not have the track record you want from an attorney, meaning they’ve not won enough cases in which their clients received a fair deal.
As such, you’ll want to watch out for lawyers who have a record of accepting low-ball offers from insurance companies. Even if they’ve technically won settlements for their clients, they may not have provided the assistance they should have.
Determine whether they’ve been able to successfully represent victims of catastrophic injuries, not just minor ones, as well as whether they’ve managed to win substantial amounts of money for their clients, whether in settlements or trials.
You can ask the attorney what their success rate is, and they should be able to provide a number. If they can’t — or won’t — that can be a sign that they’re either not experienced enough or that they’ve struggled to succeed with prior clients.
A good way of understanding whether a particular lawyer is worth hiring is to read reviews and testimonials from previous clients. Clients are not required to write testimonials, which means that if they have, they’re usually happy with the services they received.
Keep in mind, however, that a bad review doesn’t mean the lawyer is ineffective. Read through the review and see what problems the client had, as you may find that they had unreasonable expectations. Pay attention to any responses or agreements from other clients as well; if you see a pattern, consider it a warning sign.
Understand Their Payment Model
Personal injury lawyers in Houston generally work on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t get paid if you don’t win. If you agree to such a fee structure, you shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket at any point in the process.
If you do receive compensation, part of it will go to cover your lawyer’s fees. With that said, you’ll want to get a clear idea of the percentage you will have to pay. Contingency fees typically range from 33% to 40% of your winnings.
In addition, while still on the subject of payments, you need to ensure that any lawyer you research offers free consultations. In doing so, you can determine whether you have a viable case without having to spend any money.
Ask About Additional Resources
During a personal injury case, complex issues or questions of liability may arise, requiring the help of outside experts. For example, you may need a medical specialist to explain your prognosis and future medical care requirements. Alternatively, an accident reconstruction expert may be useful to prove how a crash occurred and who’s at fault.
An experienced Houston personal injury attorney will have access to experts to bolster your case.
Choose Someone You’re Comfortable With
The personal injury process can take time; it requires communicating with your lawyer over the phone, meeting with them in person, and many other interactions. As such, if you don’t feel comfortable with the lawyer you choose, the process can feel unending.
By choosing someone who treats you with respect and empathy, you will have a true ally on your side, one that you can speak with candidly. That not only works to make the experience a more positive one, but easier communication could even end up helping your case.
Trusting a Reliable Houston Personal Injury Lawyer
Suffering an injury that occurred because of someone else’s negligence is always going to be tough. However, choosing the right lawyer to help you through the process shouldn’t have to be.
All of the factors above should make a difference in your decision process, but remember, the more assistance the lawyer can provide, the easier the personal injury claim can be for you. By turning to experienced attorneys with the right track records, you’re one step closer to getting the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Undefeated Houston Personal Injury Law Firm of Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact our Undefeated personal injury attorneys in Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000