No one wants to deal with an injury that wasn’t their fault. But in the aftermath of a personal injury experience, it’s important to put aside the anger and stress and take action.
The right personal injury attorney can fight for fair compensation to cover everything from medical appointments to missed work hours. Choosing the right attorney, however, isn’t always easy.
What should clients really look for when choosing the right lawyer?
A variety of factors, including a solid track record and online reputation, can inform anyone’s choice.
Read on to learn about the top factors clients consider when weighing representation options.
A Positive Online Presence
Most people wouldn’t choose a plumber or electrician with poor online ratings or unprofessional websites. The same should hold for a personal injury attorney. Since more people are scrolling through websites from their phones, making a good digital first impression is imperative for attorneys trying to earn new clients.
Reviews on sites like Google, for instance, can make or break an attorney’s reputation in the online space. Comments that raise any red flags can deter potential clients from becoming actual clients.
In response, attorneys should be vigilant about managing their online reputation. That means responding to questions and politely handling poor reviews. Evidence of professionalism can go a long way, and a quality approach to marketing for personal injury law firms can help establish a trustworthy online presence.
Excellent Communication
Most clients suffering from a personal injury are tired, confused, and overwhelmed. On top of a potentially devastating injury, they also have to sift through intense legal jargon and procedures. Consequently, the best attorneys will be great communicators willing to demystify terms and guide clients through the legal landscape.
Clients want lawyers who are committed to responding quickly and through whatever means is most convenient. They don’t want to feel like they’re being pawned off on an assistant. Clients deserve to feel heard and respected, with regular case updates and interpretations of the outcomes.
While lawyers should demonstrate legal expertise during a consultation with the client, they also should demonstrate empathy and understanding.
Clients want to feel comfortable sharing all details of their story with their lawyer. But a lawyer without obvious compassion and good listening skills won’t help a client open up.
In short, quality communication can result in happier clients and the potential for referrals.
A Successful Track Record
Clients want attorneys with a proven track record of success. And this is especially true with cases that are similar to the client’s particular situation. In other words, a client coming forward after a motorcycle accident would like an attorney with experience representing clients in similar scenarios.
That way, the client can feel confident that the lawyer knows the nuances involved.
Attorneys would be wise to include stats, details, and testimonials from successful cases on their websites. Clients shopping for an attorney will take notice if an attorney can cite several successful outcomes and financial settlement amounts.
Further, clients should ask prospective attorneys for examples of positive case outcomes to verify their experience.
A Reasonable Fee Structure
Clients understand that legal fees are not cheap. Even so, they don’t want to be blindsided by big costs at the end of a personal injury settlement. Legal fees can be a source of stress, especially for clients already under financial strain.
As such, lawyers should be transparent about fee structures, including whether they work on contingency or charge hourly fees. Vague answers about fees could persuade potential clients to look elsewhere.
Lawyers should put together a written fee agreement that outlines expectations. They should be clear about repayment plans, too, to help clients know exactly what they’ll need to do.
Ultimately, being explicit about costs can help set the tone for a better client-lawyer relationship.
Offering the Right Blend of Skills
To earn business with a new client, a personal injury lawyer must be able to showcase legal knowledge while also building trust. This starts with a professional online presence and good communication skills that make a client feel heard.
Attorneys hoping to grow their business can’t rely on expertise alone to garner new clients. The right blend of soft and hard skills, plus a sharp approach to marketing, must be part of the package. The best lawyers are sincere in their efforts to help clients as they manage personal injury cases.