A personal injury lawyer helps people who have been injured because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence. They handle the legal side of the case and work to get money for medical bills, lost pay, and the pain caused by the injury.
If you were hurt in a Houston accident because of someone else’s actions, you need help from an experienced personal injury lawyer. Choosing the right lawyer is not always easy. Texas is a large state with many personal injury lawyers, so finding the one who is best for your case can take time and effort.
Here are some important things to look for when choosing the right Houston personal injury lawyer for your case:
Their Level of Experience
When you start looking at Houston personal injury lawyers, one of the first things to check is their experience. This is not always simple because personal injury law covers many different types of cases. It includes all of the following:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Work accidents
- Oilfield accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Product liability
- Wrongful death
So, if you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, a lawyer who has only handled medical malpractice cases, even for many years, may not be the best fit for your case.
They may understand general personal injury law, but each type of case is handled differently. For example, medical malpractice cases in Texas have limits on certain damages, while car accident cases do not.
It’s also important to know that some personal injury cases do not settle easily. Sometimes, a case goes to court, so you need a lawyer who is willing and ready to represent you at trial and has experience doing that.
Read Their Reviews and Client Testimonials
Choosing a Houston personal injury lawyer can be harder than it seems because experience alone is not enough. A lawyer may have worked for many years but still not have a strong record of winning cases or getting fair results for clients.
Because of this, be careful with lawyers who often accept very low offers from insurance companies. Even if they settled cases before, they may not have gotten their clients the fair help or results they deserved.
Check whether or not the lawyer has successfully handled serious injury cases, not just small ones. Also, ask if they have won large amounts of money for clients through settlements or in court. When you ask a lawyer about their successful case histories, they should be able to give you a prompt reply. If they can’t or won’t, it could be a sign that they lack sufficient experience or haven’t achieved good results for their past clients.
One good way to see if a lawyer is worth hiring is to read reviews from past clients. People are not required to leave reviews, so when they do, it often means they were happy with the lawyer’s help.
Keep in mind that one bad review does not mean a lawyer is bad. Read what the client complained about, because it may be an issue with their expectations. You can also look for similar complaints from other clients. If you see the same problem crop up over and over again, it’s probably a red flag.
Ask What Payment Model They Use
Most Houston personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. This means they only get paid if you win your case. If you choose this type of payment, you should not have to pay anything upfront or out of your own pocket.
If you win damages for your case, part of it will be used to pay your lawyer. You should ask exactly what percentage the lawyer will take. Most contingency fees are between 33% and 40% of the money you receive.
Also, make sure the lawyer offers a free consultation. This lets you find out if you have a strong case without putting your hand in your pocket.
Inquire About Their Resources
During a personal injury case, difficult questions can come up about what happened and who is responsible. In some cases, outside experts are needed to help explain these issues. For example, a doctor may explain your injuries and future medical needs, or an accident expert may explain how a crash happened and who caused it.
An experienced Houston personal injury lawyer will know how to work with these experts to help strengthen your case.
Choose a Lawyer Who Makes You Comfortable
A personal injury case can take a long time and involves many conversations with your lawyer, both by phone and in person. If you do not feel comfortable with your lawyer, the process can feel very long and stressful.
If you choose a lawyer who treats you with respect and understands what you are going through, you will have someone you can talk to openly. This can make the process less stressful, and clear communication may even help your case.
Working With a Lawyer You Trust
Being injured because someone else was careless is always difficult, but choosing the right lawyer to help you doesn’t have to be.
All of these factors should help guide your decision, but keep in mind that the more support a lawyer offers, the easier the process can be for you. Choosing an experienced lawyer with a strong record puts you one step closer to getting the compensation you deserve.
Contact Parks Law Today
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to handle everything on your own. Call a Houston personal injury lawyer at Parks Law today at (713) 979-3500 or reach out online to schedule your free legal consultation.