Ever been faced with having to choose where to go out for dinner? Narrowing down your choices can at times feel overwhelming.

Now the choice might get a million times harder when an unexpected curveball pushes you into a dark corner where you are being thrown unfamiliar terminology,  harassed by sleazy adjusters that want to take advantage of your inexperience in the situation, and banking on the fact that you’re not thinking clearly.

Choosing the right personal injury attorney is a critical first step to be able to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. That said, many people find the search intimidating; even putting aside the fact that it’s often done while feeling the pain and discomfort of an injury.

Whatever your goals in obtaining representation are, we’ve put together a guide to help you find an experienced lawyer who you can trust to fight alongside you with your case.

To help you find the best personal injury lawyer for your specific needs, read on.

Start With Your Claim

There are many types of injury claims, with the specific applicable law varying quite a lot depending on the circumstances.  Asking loved ones and friends about recommendations is a good way to start, but the best lawyer for your case is not necessarily the best lawyer for another person.

While most lawyers who specialize in personal injury law can handle most injury cases, you ideally want one with many cases similar to yours under their belt.

How picky you need to be will depend on the complexity of your case and how unique your circumstances are. For example, car accident claims are so common that it’d be rare to find a lawyer who doesn’t have adequate experience with them.

Researching Your Options

Unless you are paying for a highly personalized lawyer or team who can travel for you, the next step will be figuring out what lawyers practice in your area. Exactly what that means will depend on the firm.

For example, Savin Bursk Law has offices in Encino and Granada Hills. Generally speaking, this allows us to serve clients not only in the San Fernando Valley area but in all of Southern California (although one can always contact us to see if we’re a good geographical fit).

Different firms have different ranges they can serve, with some also charging for hourly rates if their lawyers must spend a significant time in transit. It is always a good idea to talk to the firm on the phone about the specifics if you’re concerned.

Once you know which firms make geographical sense, research your options thoroughly. Broadly speaking, you’re looking for two things: reviews and red flags.

Reviews and Testimonials

A good place to start your research is by looking up a firm and seeing if there are any testimonials or reviews of their services. In essence, what are the people that have gone to them for help in the past have to say?

Any firm that’s been open for more than six months should have people with good things to say. While not every review needs to be a full five stars (even the best lawyers can’t please everyone), they should be good.

A great place to start is on a firm’s website since most will proudly display good reviews of their services. While we do just that for our own firm, it’s also reasonable to research reviews off a firm’s site, too, in order to confirm they aren’t cherry-picking what clients are saying.

Common Red Flags

When doing your research you should also watch for red flags. These are various signs there might be an issue with the firm. Keep in mind they don’t necessarily mean they’re a bad option, but instead, mean you must investigate further.

In fact, one red flag to watch for involves reviews. Some unscrupulous companies will buy fake reviews, written by companies who neither used nor cared about their services.

You can often tell a company has done this if they have many very positive reviews from “different” people, but with similar wording. Another sign can be poor spelling or grammar since many of these review sellers are foreign companies whose writers may not be very proficient in English.

Another red flag is radically shifting or hidden pricing. Firms should be direct about costs and about potential situations that may shift those costs.

The problem is a common tactic of less scrupulous firms is to pull potential clients in with big promises, but then throw in hidden fees or otherwise claim an offer has changed once you’ve arrived. If this happens, it’s best to walk away.

Respectful but Direct

Once you’ve found one or two firms that seem like they’re good options, it’s time to meet (or call) them. Many firms, ours included, offer consultations for free where you can discuss your legal needs.

Remember, consultations don’t have to mean that you’ve sealed your faith with that firm.  They are there to provide you the opportunity to provide a lawyer with any evidence, like medical reports, photos, and police reports to support your claim but also to see if you think they’ll be a good fit. Any professional firm will keep these discussions confidential (and, in fact, is likely legally required to do so).

Beyond establishing whether they can serve your needs at your price point, you also want to ask about your legal options and which they think are best. You’ll also want to ask some broader questions, like what will happen if the case goes wrong or something changes.

Remember to pay attention to even basic things, like how a lawyer presents themselves and talks to you. You want a professional who is not only attentive and respectful but who you feel confident will fight for you. A good lawyer should feel much like talking to a trusted doctor rather than a salesman.

Keep in mind that even an expert lawyer does not control the facts or details of your specific case. It’s understandable to be upset if your options are limited or they aren’t sure you can win; this doesn’t make it a lawyer’s fault.

You want a firm that is honest, respectful and has the expertise required to give you the best chance of getting a good result in your legal battle.

Find the Personal Injury Lawyer for You

On a basic level, finding the right personal injury lawyer for your case is about research. You want to make sure a firm is both trustworthy and capable enough to get you the best result possible.

If you’re looking for a lawyer, our firm has a proven record of being able to deliver. All you need to do to get started is schedule a free consultation, where we can discuss your needs and how best to move forward.