How To Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Dallas, Texas
If you’re injured in Dallas, and someone else is to blame, you need a reliable personal injury lawyer on your side to help you fight for and recover fair compensation. The skill and experience they possess can significantly impact the outcome of your case, increasing your chances of being fairly compensated for your injuries while relieving the stress of ongoing legal proceedings.
Knowing the steps of the retainment process and the questions to ask during them can help you feel prepared and confident as you work to find the best personal injury lawyer in Dallas, TX.
1. Do Your Research
Finding the right Dallas personal injury attorney begins with proper research.
There are thousands of personal injury lawyers practicing in Dallas and the surrounding areas, which makes knowing where to begin a daunting task. Researching before you schedule consultations is the best way to save time and ensure you’re looking in the right places.
Identify the Type of Lawyer You Need
Personal injury is a huge body of law. Some lawyers, therefore, specialize in certain areas of personal injury law, while others take a broad array of cases.
Regardless, the most common areas of personal injury law your case likely falls under are as follows:
Still, even within each broad category, some lawyers might specialize further. You need to choose a personal injury lawyer who works on cases related to the situation that caused your injuries.
For instance, suppose you were injured in a drunk driving accident. You’d want to choose a Dallas personal injury lawyer who accepts motor vehicle accident claims and has experience specifically working on cases in which drunk driving was a factor in the crash.
Read Case Results and Reviews
Once you’ve identified potential lawyers who are qualified to handle your case, you’ll want to learn more about the results they generally obtain and what past clients have to say about their legal services.
A good starting point is a firm’s results page, which many offices incorporate directly onto their websites. You can also ask for more information about past results when you attend a consultation.
Another element you should consider is a lawyer’s online reviews. Going through a personal injury case can be highly emotional. The compensation that comes out of a claim often makes a significant difference to the client’s quality of life.
Past clients are quick to express either gratitude or discontent by leaving online reviews, which provide a glimpse into what it’s really like to work with a lawyer. They might mention a lawyer’s compassion and prompt communication. But they can also warn of red flags, such as having a hard time getting in touch with a lawyer or feeling as though their case wasn’t a priority.
Consider a Lawyer’s History
Before you commit to a particular lawyer, it’s a wise move to review information about their law firm and practice’s history. Take a look at how long they’ve worked in law and how long they’ve been doing so in Dallas. Considering a lawyer’s history can help you avoid picking one who might not have much experience or familiarity with how the Dallas court system works.
2. Attend Consultations
Doing online research ahead of time can help you narrow down your options to a handful of Dallas personal injury lawyers you feel are best for your case. From there, schedule consultations so you can meet each lawyer in person.
Most will offer free, no-obligation consultations, so you have nothing to lose by taking the time to speak with multiple lawyers and get a feel for which one you’d prefer.
Ask the Right Questions
A personal injury consultation is a time to present your case to a personal injury lawyer. You should have two main goals for your meeting: seeing what they have to say about your options regarding the legal process and considering whether they are someone you want to work with for the duration of your case.
Some questions to ask during a consultation include the following:
- Have you handled cases like this before? If so, how did they turn out?
- What are my compensation options?
- What is my estimated case value?
- How long do you think my case will take?
An experienced personal injury lawyer should be able to answer your questions clearly and confidently. The more information you bring to the consultation, the better able a lawyer will be to speak to your concerns. They should also make it clear that they are giving you estimates, not guarantees.
Understand Legal Fees
Most Dallas personal injury lawyers work on contingency. They accept payment at the end of your case in the form of a percentage of the amount they recover for you. With that said, ask questions about a firm’s fee structure, including how much money they take and if there are additional fees or charges you need to be prepared to pay.
3. Pick the Right Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case
There are time limits for taking legal action over a personal injury claim. Therefore, you shouldn’t delay choosing a Dallas personal injury lawyer and moving forward.
Compare Your Options
Once you’ve attended multiple consultations, compare your notes and select a lawyer to move forward with. Consider how each lawyer assessed your case and its possible outcomes, as well as how they interacted with you. Ask yourself whether they’re a person you trust to work with for the foreseeable future.
Sign the Contract
Once you’ve decided which Dallas personal injury lawyer is right for you, the hard part is done. Contact the firm you’ve chosen and let them know you’re ready to move forward with their representation. They’ll schedule a time for you to come in and sign your contract so they can begin working on your case.
Smart Planning Leads To Positive Outcomes
If you’re hoping to recover the compensation you deserve after an injury, the most important step is the first one – choosing a good lawyer. When you do the work upfront to find the right Dallas personal injury lawyer, you can trust it will pay off in the long run.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Dallas, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Dallas, Texas, and need legal help, contact our Dallas personal injury lawyers at Jay Murray Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Jay Murray Personal Injury Lawyers
2512 State St,
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 855-1420
