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Finding a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney for Your Case

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in

attorney by bookshelfIf you were injured in an accident, you may have thought about pursuing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, you may be unsure of how to find the right personal injury lawyer for your situation.  Below are tips on finding a qualified attorney who can help you seek fair compensation.

Where to Look for Attorneys

  • Advertising – Many people learn about attorneys through internet, print or television advertisements. Be sure to carefully review the law firm website. It should feature whether the firm has a local office, the types of cases the firm handles and results obtained for clients, and the professional background of the firm’s attorneys.
  • Personal injury lawyer ranking sites – Some directory sites include peer rankings of lawyers. These sites focus on peer recognition and professional achievement, which are important factors to consider when selecting an attorney.
  • Legal groups – Personal injury lawyers may be part of state and national trial lawyer groups or legal organizations that specialize in representing accident victims.  
  • Educational involvement – Some lawyers lecture at continuing legal education seminars or write content for legal journals to inform other lawyers about developments in the law and best practices for trying cases. These activities show attorneys’ legal knowledge and commitment to best practices in the legal profession.
  • Legal referrals – A lawyer may refer another lawyer. For example, if you used a lawyer for a previous type of case like a bankruptcy or divorce, your lawyer may recommend a certain personal injury lawyer.
  • Personal referrals – You may prefer to ask friends, coworkers, family members or others for a referral to a personal injury lawyer in your area. You can also read through the online reviews of lawyers to see how other clients’ experiences were with the lawyer.

How to Choose a Lawyer

Once you have identified potential law firms, you will need to research them to make a confident selection. While narrowing down your list, consider the following factors:

Case Experience

It is important to select a personal injury lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases. These types of cases involve intricate rules and procedures, and an experienced attorney will have detailed knowledge of these rules and procedures and how to navigate them. They also know how to assess the full extent of damage and aggressively negotiate for the compensation you deserve.

Select an attorney who has handled cases similar to yours in the past. For example, if you were injured in a car crash caused by reckless driving, hire a Sacramento car accident lawyer who has been successful in recovering compensation for victims of these types of collisions.

Trial Experience

It is important to select a personal injury lawyer who has a history of taking cases to trial. Although many personal injury claims will end in a settlement, it is important that your lawyer has the skill and knowledge to take the case to trial should this be necessary.

If your lawyer has a reputation for settling every claim, the insurance company may have little incentive to offer a fair settlement. They may make lowball settlement offers that do not properly compensate you for the damages you have suffered. 

A History of Success

During your initial consultation, ask the personal injury lawyer about his or her track record. Your lawyer should be able to tell you some basic information about cases he or she has taken that are similar to yours and what the results were. However, keep in mind that the potential compensation available for your claim will depend on many factors and may not be like the cases that your lawyer has won.

Contact Arnold Law Firm Today

The Sacramento personal injury lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm have many years of combined experience pursuing compensation for those injured because of the negligence of another.

Our lawyers can discuss their legal and educational backgrounds, as well as their recent results in cases comparable to yours. They can explain their experience and how they can help you with your personal injury claim.

We offer a free case evaluation to learn about your claim and to provide you with information regarding your potential options. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Call (916) 777-7777.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.