How To Find A Personal Injury Lawyer In Los Angeles

Personal injury lawyers help those hurt in an accident get the financial support they deserve from the liable party or their insurance company. While the personal injury is a niche in and of itself for lawyers, there are deeper areas of focus that lawyers may have.

For example, a workers’ compensation specialist might not deal with car accidents with the same success as someone specializing in that arena. Finding the right personal injury lawyer will take a little shopping and interviewing.

Here’s what you should be considering when trying to find a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

Start With Referrals

Before you start a Google search, talk to family and friends to see if you can get some referrals for personal injury lawyers in your area.

Most people have at least one person in their network who has been hurt in an accident and needed a lawyer. By asking for referrals, you may quickly get a list of people recommended or that you should avoid.

Seek Experience With Your Type of Claim

You may want someone who specializes in your type of claim. For example, a motorcycle accident is handled differently than an industrial accident. Claims involving defective products are different from pedestrian accidents.

Ask the lawyer whether they have experience handling claims like yours. Experience means that they will understand the issues involved, the potentially responsible parties, and the best way to prepare your case for success. This often translates into better service and higher settlement amounts.

Are They Litigators?

While 96% of personal injury cases get settled, you want to know that you have someone with the experience to go to trial if necessary.

If your claim is complicated with very serious injuries, you may need to go to trial to get what you deserve. Ask the lawyer about their trial experience and success rate. If the lawyer can’t cite their success rate, you may need to consider that they don’t have the right expertise for the job.

Works on Contingency Fees

Don’t sign up with a lawyer who wants to charge you an hourly rate. Look for a lawyer to work on contingency. Contingency means that they only get paid if and when they get paid.

They are vested in your success! Los Angeles personal injury lawyers charge anywhere from 33% to 40% for their services. Anyone who charges more than the average should have ample experience and success to back up their rates.

Maintains a Professional Office

You can tell a professional office the moment that you walk in. It should seem clean, orderly, and pleasant. Listen to how the receptionist talks to callers and note whether the attorney has a good sense of who their clients are and their case details.

A professional office usually helps you feel more confident in the lawyer’s abilities and will give you a sense of being heard when you call with questions.

Getting a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles isn’t a requirement, but it is a good idea. A lawyer will help you navigate the massive Los Angeles County legal system. A lawyer can connect you with doctors and will think about many nuances of your case that may never cross your mind.

Most people who settle claims on their own get no compensation for pain and suffering in the settlement, whereas those with a lawyer get what they are due in all aspects of the case. Simply put, a personal injury lawyer makes sure that you get what you deserve.

Take the time to interview several personal injury lawyers before making your final decision. Interviews not only give you a sense of whether or not the lawyer is a good fit for your case, but you will also get a good sense of what to expect out of your case by getting multiple consultations.

While you may feel like you need to make a decision quickly, know that personal injury cases take a long time, and you have enough time to meet with four or five prospects to get the best person to help you win.

The Los Angeles County Bar Association is a professional organization that works with lawyers who have passed the state bar and work in Los Angeles County. Use the website to get a referral to a local attorney who can help you with your case. The Los Angeles County Bar Association is a good place to start, but you’ll still want to go through your criteria list to make sure you find the person who can best help you.