After a catastrophic injury or the loss of someone you love, choosing a personal injury lawyer is a decision with lasting consequences. You are trusting that lawyer to investigate what happened, hold the responsible parties accountable, and pursue compensation that reflects how your life and your family’s future have changed.
But how do you distinguish a lawyer who markets a strong reputation from one who has earned it? Descriptions such as “experienced,” “aggressive,” or “big results” tell you little without evidence to support them. There are secrets personal injury law firms don’t tell you. A firm may advertise personal injury services without substantial trial experience. A large verdict may attract attention without revealing whether it survived an appeal. And accepting your case does not tell you who will personally handle it or whether the firm has the time and financial resources to prepare it thoroughly.
The details behind those claims matter. You deserve to know how many cases like yours the lawyer has personally handled, whether the attorney has taken cases to trial, and what happened when those results were challenged. The firm should also be able to explain how it will give your case the attention and resources it requires.
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer starts with asking questions that move beyond advertising and reveal a documented record of experience, preparation, and results. These four questions can help you understand what to look for before entrusting a firm with your case. Continue reading to learn how to choose the right personal injury lawyer for you.
Before Choosing A Personal Injury Lawyer, Ask: How Many Cases Like Yours Has The Lawyer Personally Handled?
Every personal injury case is different, but whether your claim involves wrongful death, an oil field or workplace injury, or a trucking accident, your personal injury lawyer should offer a strong background handling cases like yours. When consulting potential lawyers, ask how many cases like yours they have personally handled.
Experience means knowing how to develop a long-term legal strategy. Many lawyers have seen firsthand how personal injuries can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including:
- Loss of independence
- Lost ability to work
- Future medical procedures
- Need for long-term rehabilitation
- Reduced quality of life and relationships
A lawyer who has handled cases like yours will understand how an injury may affect your future, gather evidence of long-term damages, and present the facts in a way that juries can understand.
It’s also important to ensure that your lawyer is familiar with the filing requirements relevant to your claim. Wyoming’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years, but this time frame can vary. For example, cases involving government entities, wrongful death, or delayed discovery have different deadlines. Experienced lawyers come better equipped to handle case-specific filing requirements.
Do They Have The Time And Resources To Take On Your Case?
Experience alone does not determine whether a personal injury lawyer is right for you. Firms that take on a high caseload dedicate less time to each client, which may affect the quality of your case’s preparation. Before hiring a lawyer, ask about their current caseload.
Leading personal injury firms know to limit their caseload to what they can handle while offering personalized representation. This means taking the time to understand your circumstances, communicate next steps, and develop an individualized case strategy that reflects what you need to recover.
Serious personal injury cases also create significantly high costs. Depending on the circumstances, preparing a case may involve:
- Multiple investigations.
- Obtaining, preserving, and analyzing evidence.
- Hiring expert witnesses, such as medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and financial analysts.
- Trial preparation costs.
These expenses can be particularly high when facing powerful defendants, such as manufacturers, hospitals, or trucking companies. Not every firm has the resources to investigate and prepare your claim with the support of experts. Ask potential lawyers about their finances. Do they have the means to financially back your claim?
How Many Cases Has the Personal Injury Law Firm Actually Taken to Trial?
Many firms prioritize settling cases quickly and avoid going to trial. Although many personal injury cases settle, when negotiations fail to produce a fair offer, your lawyer must be prepared to take your case to trial. Asking potential lawyers about their trial preparation ensures your claim is prepared for success, no matter the outcome.
Trial preparation often involves:
- Extensive investigation
- Retaining medical and economic experts
- Exploring all possible damages
- Conducting depositions and discovery
- Compiling and carefully analyzing evidence
- Building a clear, compelling presentation for a jury
This preparation can also drive higher settlements. When insurance companies evaluate claims, they take into consideration what they expect a lawyer to accept. Lawyers with a record of trial successes may be taken more seriously by insurers, creating more substantial settlement offers from the start.
Does the Personal Injury Firm Have a History of Results? Were Those Results Upheld on Appeal?
Many potential firms will claim to be the best, but lack a documented record of successful verdicts and settlements. Asking a potential lawyer about their past results can help you understand whether they can truly handle cases involving complex injuries and significant damages.
Catastrophic injuries can permanently alter a person’s ability to live or work as they did before. Your case outcome must account for the full extent of your damages, not just immediate costs. Damages may include:
- Long-term care
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Reviewing a lawyer’s record of results may reveal whether they can document the extent of your losses, gather evidence to support all damages, and present that evidence effectively, whether in settlement negotiations or before a jury.
Additionally, ask potential lawyers about their history of appealed verdicts. A firm may advertise large verdicts without telling you whether those verdicts survived an appeal. The appeals process subjects cases to a higher level of scrutiny, forcing lawyers to prepare diligently to protect your claim in a higher court.
The Fitzgerald Law Firm holds the Wyoming Supreme Court records for the largest personal injury and wrongful death verdicts upheld on appeal in Wyoming. Our documented record of successful results proves our substantial courtroom experience and ability to withstand the challenge of appeals.
Find the Right Personal Injury Firm For Your Case
For over four decades, The Fitzgerald Law Firm has represented individuals and families suffering from serious injury and wrongful death, providing personalized support and guidance on the path to recovery. Our attorneys share a commitment to finding the truth in every case and have faced many powerful defendants on behalf of injured clients.
The Fitzgerald Law Firm has been involved in nearly half of all Wyoming verdicts over one million dollars. Our award-winning attorneys have obtained record-breaking verdicts and settlements for clients in Wyoming and across the nation.
If you have been seriously injured and are searching for the right personal injury lawyer, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
References
Wyoming State Legislation: Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Nolo Law: Wyoming Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations