Do you need a personal injury lawyer in Houston to fight for you in a legal case? With over 50,000 personal injury firms operating in the United States, it is crucial to pick the right one.
An expert personal injury lawyer will be able to offer expert advice on your case and have the best chance of securing a positive result for you.
Here’s everything you need to verify in a personal injury lawyer before you select one in Houston.
What Is Your Case?
Before calling lawyers’ offices, identify what it is you think you’re filing a claim for.
Don’t worry about talking like a lawyer when talking about your case. Good personal injury lawyers want to talk to you in a way you can understand. We always do our best to explain things in a way that makes you feel comfortable and informed, so it is best for you to explain your case to us in the same way.
Have you lost wages because of an incident, or had to buy medical equipment such as crutches or a wheelchair? Are you pursuing a case following a traffic accident or medical negligence?
Giving us a clear picture of your case and your needs helps us get to the root of the problem quickly so we can identify the next action to take.
What Other Services Do Different Lawyers Offer?
When picking a personal injury lawyer in Houston, it is important not to choose one solely on how close they are to your home. Scope out a few different injury lawyers and see what other practice areas they specialize in.
If they deal with a wide variety of different law practices, they may not be able to provide you with the focus you need to win your legal case; however, it is great if they are specialists in related subjects to personal injury, such as workers’ compensation, as these cases require a similar skill and knowledge set to this specialty.
For example, a property law specialist who only sporadically works on personal injury cases may not get you the best results.
Ask Lawyers About Previous Cases
Speaking of results, when you’re researching a lawyer, ask them about previous cases similar to yours. Were they successful? Did the case have to go to a court hearing, or was it settled out of court? Asking such questions will give you insight into how they work.
If they have successfully represented someone recently with a similar injury to yours, this may mean they can replicate that success in your case too.
It is important to ask if they have been a personal injury lawyer in Houston for a long time. Certain laws differ from state to state, so it is important to know if your lawyer has experience with the local laws. It is also good to know if they are experienced in similar cases to yours.
You will want to choose a lawyer with years of practice in the area of your case. There are good outliers who set up a firm right out of law school, but these lawyers do not have the experience to fight complex personal injury cases like established ones do.
Ask About Your Case
Any trustworthy lawyer will be pleased to tell you about their successes, and willing to discuss in a free initial consultation the details of your case to help you evaluate the chances of success through litigation.
A good lawyer will assess your case on its own merits, not on those of other clients or previous cases, and allow you the platform to discuss the finer details of your case, remaining honest with you about potential outcomes.
Do Background Research
Every state has a State Bar Association. A State Bar Association will often have useful resources for customers to better educate them on how they can make informed decisions about their choice of attorney. You can check out your prospective lawyer and their firm using the information published by the relevant Association. Doing so will help inform you of potential red flags, such as complaints or negative records of the attorney. In such cases, you may be better off choosing a different representative.
What Are Their Fees?
It may sound silly, but do not forget to ask the law firm about their fees. Some will work out their fee as a percentage of a sum won on your behalf. Some will charge a flat fee, or charge different fees depending on what actions they need to take to make your case – filing fees, deposition fees, etc.
You will need to work out what best fits your situation, as different firms have different systems. They may also expect you to cover certain expenses, so ask about these when you call. It is certainly fair that you know beforehand what you would be paying for their representation.
Personal Recommendations for a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston
If you know someone, such as a neighbor or colleague, who has filed a personal injury case, ask them about their experience. Do they feel that their lawyer represented them to the best of their ability? Did they act in a professional manner at all times? Personal recommendations are extremely valuable, so you may want to consider asking a law firm to put you in touch with an ex-client or produce testimonials to show their reliability.
If you cannot get any recommendations from others, look for online reviews instead, as these are often candid in giving you a good picture of whether a lawyer is suitable for your case.
Why You Should Consider Barnes Law Firm as Your Legal Representative
Barnes Law Firm specializes in personal injury and related claims. We aggressively protect the rights of our clients in all cases and offer expert advice and legal solutions in many different situations.
Our free initial consultation allows us to assess your case and advise on how to proceed. We will fight for you every step of the way to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to start the process. We look forward to hearing about your case and being of assistance to you.