With so many lawyers running radio, TV and Internet ads about their services, it can be difficult to determine which attorney is best suited to represent you. Keep in mind, your most critical goal is to find a Sacramento personal injury lawyer who has a lengthy and successful track record, coupled with excellent communication skills.

Although the following list of criteria can apply to many different types of lawyers, several of the suggestions directly apply to personal injury attorneys who represent numerous auto accident clients each year.

• First, ask your various friends and business acquaintances to see if anyone you know has a specific attorney they can suggest based on firsthand experience;
• Next, make sure you choose a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases, particularly those involving auto accidents;
• Find out if the attorney you might hire helps to train other lawyers in your community about personal injury cases, perhaps by conducting seminars or speaking at professional conferences;
• Ask whether or not the firm has a strong trial reputation, as well as a proven ability to negotiate high settlement amounts with insurance companies;
• Check to be sure the law firm can afford to finance your case, even if it requires a lengthy trial;
• Check with the State Bar of California to make sure your attorney has a good reputation within the legal community;
• Make sure your lawyer introduces you (at an early stage) to each member of the legal team who will be interacting with you the most — to be sure you feel comfortable working with each individual;
• Be sure to choose a lawyer who tells you how often you’ll be updated about the status of your case and who will usually provide you with that information;
• Make sure you understand how your attorney’s fees and court costs will be handled; Find out if the firm’s percentage of the recovery (plus costs and expenses) may change, depending on whether or not it’s necessary to take your case to trial. Ask questions about how any hired experts will be paid and how the firm will determine what you will receive, if the firm wins damages for you;
• Make sure your initial consultation is free and that your lawyer will not charge you any fees “up front” – or later, if the firm fails to win your case;
• Ask how long your lawyer thinks it may take to either settle your case or take it to trial. (It’s best to assume the longer time estimate will be the accurate one);
• If your initial conversations with the attorney (and his or her staff) are not comfortable and pleasant ones, consider looking for another firm;
• Make sure your attorney gives you a “ballpark” idea of what a case like yours is sometimes worth – if it settles or goes to trial. Keep in mind that there’s no guarantee that your case will be won. Be willing to accept an estimated range of possible recovery amounts.

If you’re able to obtain satisfactory information about all of these concerns, you have probably selected an excellent personal injury attorney. Just be sure you both sign a contract that clearly outlines all of the most pertinent information.