There are currently over 64,000 personal injury law firms employing over 175,000 lawyers across the US. Before choosing a personal injury law firm, it helps to learn how to vet your options. Then, you can choose the best personal injury lawyer in Houston for your case.
With their help, you can fight for the compensation you’re rightfully due to fully cover your losses.
Not sure how to find a personal injury law firm in Houston? Read on for the top tips you need to streamline your search today!
Consider Your Case
Before typing “personal injury lawyer near me” into Google, take a moment to consider the details surrounding your case.
About 24.8 million people have to visit a physician due to accidental injuries every year. Another 97.9 million people head straight to an emergency room. How you sustained your injuries matters, though.
For example, personal injury lawsuits can involve:
- Auto accidents
- Medical malpractice situations
- Workplace accidents
- Animal attacks
- Premise liability
- Product liability
- Slander and liable
- Slip and falls
- Nursing home liability
Some categories are broken down further, too.
Auto accidents can involve trucks, bicyclists, cars, Uber/Lyft drivers, and motorcyclists. Medical malpractice covers birthing errors, medication mistakes, misdiagnoses, and more.
Determine what category and subcategory your personal injury case falls under. Then, use the rest of these tips to find an attorney with relevant experience and expertise. Choose someone who specializes in handling similar cases.
Finding an attorney who specializes in cases like yours can speak to their experience and expertise regarding the situation. These lawyers will have more intimate knowledge about the laws and procedures that can impact your lawsuit.
Otherwise, you might make the mistake of choosing an attorney who hasn’t handled many cases similar to your own.
Gather Referrals and Reviews
As you begin your search for a personal injury lawyer in Houston, turn to friends and family members. Ask if they’ve hired an attorney in Houston recently. Determine what they hired a lawyer for, too.
For example, maybe they hired an attorney to file for divorce or for estate planning purposes. Determine if the law firm also handles personal injury cases. Otherwise, prioritize anyone who hired a personal injury lawyer in the past.
Try to speak to someone who was previously in the situation you’re in now. For example, if you were in an auto accident, speak with someone who hired an auto accident lawyer. Then, learn about their experience working with the attorney.
Draft a list of questions you want to ask about the lawyer’s professionalism, case history, and communication skills.
Otherwise, begin your search online. Look for client reviews on the law firm’s website or their BBB and Google Business profiles. Read a handful of reviews from each resource.
Try to find a Houston law firm that already has a strong reputation. These firms will want to maintain their reputation by upholding the same high standards.
Check for Experience
As you begin narrowing down your options, try to find a long-established law firm that’s helped Houston clients for a few years.
An established firm is less likely to experience operational issues like scheduling, communicating, or billing. It’s also likely they’ve earned the trust and respect of their clients over time.
As you look into individual lawyers, determine when they started practicing law. Consider how long they’ve specialized in personal injury lawsuits as well. Then, consider how often they handle cases similar to yours.
Try to find an attorney with years of experience that’s relevant to your case. Their hands-on case experience will give you peace of mind about their abilities. They can leverage that prior experience to determine the best legal strategy for your unique case.
Look for Memberships
Confirm that every lawyer on your list is licensed by Texas’ state bar association. Then, determine if they have any local or national memberships. For example, perhaps they’re recognized by the American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers.
You could find lawyers with memberships with the National Trial Lawyers Association instead.
Otherwise, determine if the attorney has earned any accolades or professional recognition.
Finding attorneys with these memberships and accolades can help you find the best attorneys in Houston.
Review Their Case History
Before choosing an attorney, look into their case history.
First, determine how many cases they’ve handled since they began practicing law. Consider how many of those cases they won or lost. Ask about the payout for each case, too.
Then, ask about cases specific to your legal needs. How many of those cases did they win versus lose?
Look for an attorney who has a strong track record. Their case history could speak to their ability to win your lawsuit. If they don’t have a strong history of wins, keep searching.
Asking about the payout for each case can help you develop realistic expectations for your own lawsuit, too.
Schedule a Consultation
Choose three different law firms on your list. Then, schedule a consultation appointment with an attorney at each firm. Make a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time.
For example, you can ask:
- How long have you practiced law in Houston
- How often do you take cases like mine
- What’s the average payout for similar cases
- How will we communicate
Discuss the details surrounding your case and ask the lawyer what legal strategy they would recommend. They shouldn’t give you guarantees about the outcome of your case. Instead, they should help you maintain realistic expectations about your options.
Pay attention to how the lawyer speaks. Choose someone who is confident and easy to understand.
Finally, ask each lawyer about their fee structures. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis (meaning you’ll only pay if they win your lawsuit). Others require you to pay their retainer or hourly rate.
Find the Best Personal Injury Firm for Your Case Today
Use these still to find a personal injury law firm in Houston you can rely on. Then, look for a personal injury attorney capable of winning your case. With their help, you can maximize your claim without unnecessary stress.
Start your search for a Houston, TX personal injury lawyer using these tips today.
Want to streamline your search? We’re happy to help.
Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.