How To Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer in California?

A personal injury can take a serious toll on both your physical health and financial stability. Early on in your recovery, it is critical to know how to choose a personal injury lawyer in California. Finding the right personal injury attorney for your case can make a considerable difference in the outcome of your injury claim. Legal representation ensures that your rights are protected and you secure the compensation you need to move forward with confidence.

Ask for Referrals or Search Online

Finding a list of candidates can start by asking friends and family for referrals. If an injury attorney provided quality legal services for someone you know, there is a good chance that they can do the same for you. If your contacts have no experience working with lawyers, you can start by looking online.

Reputable lawyers should list their services, background, and reviews online. Look for someone who is relatively close to you. This will make it easier for you to visit their office and for them to drive to the nearest courthouse when needed. These are three primary civil courthouses in California where injury cases are often filed:

• Stanley Mosk Courthouse – 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• San Francisco County Superior Court (Civil Division) – 400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
• San Diego Central Courthouse – 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Each courthouse handles a wide range of civil matters, including car accidents, fall-related injuries, and assault claims, by providing a venue for injured parties to pursue fair compensation under California law.

Research Credentials and Affiliations

After an attorney has worked for several years and performed high-quality work, peer-reviewed organizations such as Super Lawyers or Readers’ Choice awards may recognize their work through annual awards. You can take any past awards they post on their website as evidence that they deliver quality work for clients and have a track record of securing compensation for the people they represent.

An experienced attorney may also serve as a board member of legal organizations. Affiliations and membership with the American Bar Association and similar groups can reflect their commitment to keeping up to date on important legal developments.

Membership in respected local or national organizations shows a dedication to continued learning and ethical practice, both of which are essential when trusting someone with your legal case.

Matching Their Experience to Your Legal Needs

When choosing an attorney, it’s essential to find one whose experience matches the nature of your case. Injury law covers a wide range of incidents, from car crashes and falls to intentional acts of harm. In California alone, the Office of Traffic Safety recorded 224,592 motor-vehicle injury crashes in 2021, while over half a million older Californians reported falling more than once a year.

Meanwhile, 128,798 aggravated assaults were reported statewide in 2022. Assailants can be held liable in civil court even when they face criminal charges. Whether you were harmed in a vehicle collision, a slip and fall, or an assault, selecting a lawyer experienced in the specific type of injury law you’re facing ensures your case receives the focused representation and strategy it deserves.

How to Prepare for Your Consultation

Most injury lawyers offer an initial consultation, often for free, where prospective clients can learn about the lawyer and their services. There is no obligation to sign on with an attorney just because you meet with them. Consultations are a great way to get to know a lawyer, so come prepared with questions. Common questions potential clients ask include:

• How long have you practiced personal injury law?
• Have you handled cases similar to mine before?
• What is your approach to negotiating settlements?
• Who will be handling my case day-to-day?
• How do your fees and payment structure work?
• What challenges do you anticipate in my case?
• How often will you communicate updates to me?
• What are the possible outcomes, and how long could my case take?

Final Considerations

Even when an attorney has the qualifications, they may not necessarily be the right fit for you if their communication style and approach to managing injury claims conflict with what you are looking for. If you meet with potential legal counsel and they are not attentive to your recounting of events or appear distracted, that could be a sign that they may not provide the personalized representation that you are seeking.

During your consultation, you can inquire about how they maintain communications with clients. You can also ask about how aggressive they are willing to be when handling an injury claim. If they rarely take cases to trial, that could limit the compensation you ultimately receive, especially if you suffered a serious personal injury.

While these may not seem like urgent matters early on in a case, these differences in approach could lead to setbacks once your case moves forward. An injury claim can last anywhere from a few months to a year or longer. Finding the right match for your case requires consideration of their experience, approach, and personality. Once you find a good fit, you can rest assured that you have an advocate by your side who will focus on your rights and priorities.

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

The decision to hire a personal injury lawyer should be your top priority following a personal injury. California personal injury cases are complex and require plaintiffs to prove their cases with evidence and sound legal arguments.

Working through a complex personal injury claim without legal support could leave you vulnerable to pressure from insurers and attorneys representing the at-fault party. An injury lawyer can explain California’s personal injury laws, your rights, and your options so you are fully informed throughout the process.

FAQs

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in California?

The cost of a personal injury lawyer varies considerably, but many work on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee, an attorney’s only payment is a percentage of the settlement or court award if they successfully win your case. The benefit of this arrangement is that clients do not have to pay legal representation costs up front. The fee should be disclosed in the attorney-client agreement.

What Should I Avoid Doing During an Injury Claim?

If you are going through an injury claim, you should avoid disobeying your doctor’s guidance. Failing to follow your recovery plan could harm your health and potentially jeopardize your claim to compensation. Do not discuss your case publicly or do anything that would give the impression that you are not seriously hurt. By resting and recovering, you can support your health and your claim to fair compensation from the negligent party.

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove?

The hardest injuries to prove are any forms of harm that are not outwardly visible. Whiplash is one example. Non-tangible forms of harm, like pain and suffering, can also be challenging to prove if you do not have strong legal representation. An attorney brings years of experience gathering evidence and using complex formulas to accurately establish the value of your settlement.

What Is the Most Common Personal Injury in California?

The most frequent personal injury cases in California stem from motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle collisions. These incidents often lead to injuries such as back strain, fractures, and whiplash. Other common causes include slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, and dog bites. Because of the state’s high volume of traffic and diverse work environments, these types of claims make up a large portion of cases we see at Duque & Price.

What Can I Do if I Am Not Satisfied With My Attorney?

If you are not satisfied with your attorney, you have the right to end the attorney-client relationship. In most cases, you should consider discussing your concerns with the attorney and provide them the opportunity to address the issues. If the problems persist, you may have no choice but to hire a new attorney. Taking the time to research your attorney can prevent setbacks that could require changing legal counsel.

Contact a Trusted Injury Firm Serving California

When you’re searching for a personal injury lawyer, experience and dedication matter. At Duque & Price, we combine seasoned legal insight with a personal approach that keeps clients informed and supported through every stage of their case. Our firm’s foundation is built on experience, integrity, and commitment, which has allowed us to deliver results time and again.

We have successfully resolved more than 850 cases over the past 9 years, achieving strong outcomes for individuals and families across California. By limiting our caseload, we ensure that every client receives the attention, communication, and strategic focus their claim deserves. We can help you consider your legal options and develop a winning plan. Contact Duque & Price today to discuss your case with a team that will fight for you every step of the way.

About The Author

Brent A. Duque

From humble beginnings and son of hard-working immigrant parents, Brent Duque was raised in La Puente, California. After graduating from West Covina High School and Mt. San Antonio College, Mr. Duque went on to graduate from Cal State University Fullerton with a Bachelors degree in Political Science. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Mr. Duque did his graduate studies in Education and Public Administration at California Polytechnic University Pomona. After working for other firms, Mr. Duque knew that if he opened his own firm, he could provide more aggressive representation, better communication with clients, and secure larger settlements and verdicts for his clients. In 2006, he started his firm and has had a remarkable and successful career that he attributes to his firm’s aggressive and relentless pursuit of justice for his clients. As owner and managing attorney of the firm, Mr. Duque has fought for and secured millions of dollars for his clients.

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