Guide for finding and hiring a personal lawyer
Where to find a personal injury lawyer
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer, here are some ways to find one:
- Super Lawyers: You can search for top-rated personal injury lawyers in your area on the Super Lawyers website.1
- Forbes Advisor: Forbes Advisor suggests seeking an experienced lawyer who specializes in personal injury and accidents, and asking for referrals from friends, family, or other lawyers. You can also search for lawyers who work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.2
- LegalMatch: LegalMatch can help you find an experienced personal injury lawyer near you who can review the facts of your case, go over your rights and options, and represent you at hearings and in court.3
- Thumbtack: Thumbtack provides a list of the 10 best personal injury lawyers near your location, as rated by your neighborhood community.4
- Nolo: Nolo suggests getting referrals from other lawyers you know, as lawyers commonly refer cases to one another. Once you get referrals, be sure to comparison-shop and talk or meet with each lawyer in person to discuss your claim before making a hiring decision.5
what questions to ask during a consultation with a personal injury lawyer
During a consultation with a personal injury lawyer, here are some questions you can ask:
- Can you handle my case? Ask the lawyer if they have the time, resources, and expertise to handle your case.
- Have you litigated a case like mine before? Ask the lawyer if they have experience handling cases similar to yours
- What is your assessment of my case? Ask the lawyer to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case and provide an honest assessment of your chances of success
- What types of injury cases do you handle? Ask the lawyer about their experience handling cases similar to yours and what types of personal injury cases they specialize in
- How much are your attorneys' fees? Ask the lawyer about their fee structure and how much they charge for their services.
- What is my case worth? Ask the lawyer to estimate the value of your case based on the damages you have suffered
- Who will handle my case? Ask the lawyer who will be handling your case and who you will be communicating with throughout the process.3
- Do I pay anything if I lose? Ask the lawyer about their policy on fees if you do not win your case
- Can a lawyer settle my case without my consent? Ask the lawyer about their policy on settling cases and whether they will seek your consent before settling your case.4
- What happens if I lose my job as a result of my accident injuries? Ask the lawyer about the compensation you may be entitled to if you lose your job as a result of your injuries