How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer for You
How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer for You
Most people do not have “comparing personal injury lawyers” on their bucket lists, or even their realistic list of things they might have to do in the next five years. You find yourself looking for the right personal injury lawyer because something unexpected has happened, and it’s caused you harm that you intend to get justice for.
Whether you’re facing an injury that does not heal quickly, a job you cannot return to, a family member’s tragic death, or other circumstances that you think an attorney can assist with, you need to know what to look for in your lawyer.
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer in Newport Beach, CA, is not about finding the firm with the brashest branding or even the firm with the most valuable case results (though results do matter). You want a law firm that has proven willing to fight for clients and is capable of getting results. At the same time, you want to feel that your attorney and their coworkers care about you authentically and are leading your case for the right reasons.
You will find these and other appealing attributes at Bentley & More LLP. Do not wait to contact us for your free consultation about engaging a Newport Beach, CA personal injury attorney you can trust.
Key Takeaways for Those Seeking a Trustworthy Personal Injury Lawyer in Newport Beach, CA
- The “right” personal injury lawyer is capable of obtaining a strong financial result, but also shows authentic care for you, your recovery, and your loved ones.
- Firms that limit their caseloads are often better equipped to handle complex cases (we do that).
- A law firm’s trial readiness (including both preparation and willingness to litigate) can materially affect your case’s outcome.
- California law is complex, and the courts can be unpredictable, so a lawyer’s legal acumen and experience should be critical criteria to consider.
- A free consultation is a key opportunity to vet personal injury attorneys and firms.
- Contingency fees allow you to hire a Newport Beach personal injury attorney even if you’re under financial stress (your lawyer only receives a fee if you get paid).
- Do not wait to call Bentley & More LLP today for your free, no-risk consultation.
Why People in Newport Beach Seek Out Personal Injury Lawyers
Two primary developments lead clients to retain a personal injury lawyer:
- An injury
- The loss of a loved one
Illnesses can sometimes be a reason to hire a lawyer, but injuries and wrongful deaths are the most common motivations for clients to get a personal injury attorney’s legal help.
Newport Beach Personal Injury Lawyers Thrive in Daunting, Unmanageable Situations
Our clients usually reach out once they realize the situation is no longer manageable on their own. Even if they can manage on their own, they might fear that the risk to their physical and psychological well-being is too significant to accept. They also recognize that substantial compensation may be at stake and want an experienced, proven professional to do the job.
Our clients come to us in many different circumstances, including for help with (or after):
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Construction accidents
- Product liability cases
- Slip and fall and premises liability cases
- Wrongful death claims
- Car accidents (including those that happen on the Pacific Coast Highway, Jamboree Road, and surrounding arterials)
- Bicycle accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Dog bites (which can become far more serious than they first appear due to the imminent risk of infection)
- Drunk driving accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents (hundreds suffer an injury in Orange County in a typical year)
- Rideshare accidents
- Truck accidents
These kinds of events knock the affected parties off their axes. Something is off (in some cases, permanently so), and justice is the only thing that can help the victim(s) regain balance, or at least put them on the path to healing.
A Newport Beach personal injury lawyer from our team will seek to help you restore balance by protecting your interests and advocating for the financial recovery you are entitled to.
What Makes the “Right” Newport Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Different from the Rest?
Words like “experience” and “results” are, too often, used as hollow buzzwords. While a firm’s experience and results are undeniably important, they don’t tell you everything you need to know about a firm.
You want to see authenticity, unconditional respect, and warmth from your lawyer. You can gauge these intangible attributes during your free consultation.
What also sets the “right” lawyers and firms apart is how they handle their business.
Standout firms and attorneys are selective in the cases they accept. They devote significant time and resources to each client, and they have ample time and resources to handle the essential duties of personal injury lawyers, which include:
- Investigate liability for the client’s damages
- Sift through and organize complex medical evidence
- Coordinate closely and regularly with treating physicians and specialists
- Consult with experts when appropriate
- Prepare cases like they’re going to trial, rather than as if they’re going to lead to a quick settlement
At Bentley & More LLP, we focus on complex litigation and severe injury cases because those cases require deliberate preparation, not shortcuts.
Why Caseload Size Matters More Than Most People Expect
Caseload is something to ask about during your free consultation (which we will discuss in more detail shortly). It matters.
Clients often tell us they appreciate the benefits of our attorneys’ restricted caseloads, which include:
- Direct access to their lawyer and legal team
- Clear, thorough explanations that don’t feel rushed
- Confidence that their case is being actively worked on, rather than placed on the back burner
- Responsiveness when new medical or financial issues arise
Clients can tell when their attorney is stretched thin, and they never feel this way at Bentley & More LLP.
A Few Personal Preferences That Shape the Right Choice for You
Every client has different priorities. Some prioritize frequent communication. Others want fewer updates, but when they get them, they want detailed explanations. Some prefer a no-nonsense demeanor from their attorney, while others want unvarnished compassion and patience.
Clients may also gravitate to law firms that have regularly led:
- Workers’ compensation claims alongside third-party injury cases
- Unique product liability cases (like those involving niche defective products)
- High-value cases
- Cases involving specific injury types
The right firm and lawyer tailor their style and services to the individual client, rather than applying a cookie-cutter approach to everyone they represent.
A Step-by-Step Checklist for You to Follow in Your Search for the Right Newport Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
There are several ways to vet prospective law firms and find the right Newport Beach personal injury attorney for you. Here is a checklist that, if you follow it, should increase the likelihood of you hiring the right legal team based on your unique criteria and wishes:
- Confirm the firm handles cases like yours, not just personal injury generally: Ask whether the firm regularly represents clients whose circumstances reflect yours.
- Ask who will be responsible for your case day to day: Find out whether your case will be handled by an experienced attorney or passed between staff members. Consistent attorney involvement matters, and it shows that your case is a priority.
- Ask how the firm prepares cases for settlement and for trial: You are not looking for a promise that your case will go to trial, as that’s not necessarily in your best interests. You are listening to whether the firm explains its preparation, investigation, and evidence development as if it is willing to go to trial. They should be willing.
- Look for signs of a restrained caseload: Ask how many cases the firm handles and how it prioritizes them. Firms that accept fewer cases are often better able to devote time and resources to serious injuries.
- Review the firm’s case results with context: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they can show whether the firm is willing to take difficult cases to trial and see them through, rather than accepting quick, easy settlements.
- Ask how the firm supports clients beyond legal filings: Standout firms often help clients navigate medical care, documentation, and recovery logistics. It’s apparent they care not just about a fee, but about the client on a personal level.
- Gauge chemistry during the free consultation: You should not feel rushed or pressured. A strong rapport with the firm’s representatives can only be a positive thing, though it may not be the only thing.
- Clarify the fee structure in plain terms: Make sure you understand how contingency fees work, what costs may arise, and when fees are owed. A clear explanation now avoids confusion later.
Taking these steps does not guarantee a particular outcome, or even that you’ll find the “right” lawyer for you, but it’s a solid plan of action. Take it, it’s yours.
Or, You Can Just Call Bentley & More LLP Today
Your time is precious. Skip the search.
In Bentley & More LLP, you’ve found a law firm that ticks all the boxes. We are authentic, client-centered, and practicing law for all the right reasons. We are a firm that only employs Newport Beach personal injury attorneys (and support staff) worthy of your trust.
What to Expect from Your Newport Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
Clients often see only a small fraction of the work involved in personal injury and wrongful death cases. That’s the point of hiring a lawyer, as you don’t have to deal with the considerable effort (and stress) that goes into cases like these.
As you heal and wait for updates from your legal team, expect your lawyer to handle:
- Investigation well beyond the depth of police or incident reports
- Coordination with treating physicians and medical specialists
- Consultation with experts when necessary
- Documentation of all damages
- Negotiations
- Trial, if necessary
This work takes time, but it is what positions a case to be taken seriously by insurers and, if necessary, by a jury.
Recoverable Damages We May Include in Your Case
Depending on the unique details of your case, your recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost income and earning power
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological distress
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to property damages (such as vehicle repair costs)
In wrongful death cases, families may also pursue compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
- Grief
Accurate, comprehensive case valuations are the only types of valuations we conduct at Bentley & More LLP. Once we know how much compensation our client is entitled to, we pull out all the stops to pursue that financial recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions from Those Seeking a Personal Injury Lawyer in Newport Beach, CA
Our considerable experience as personal injury attorneys tips us off to some of the questions you might have, including:
How soon should I contact a lawyer after an injury or a loved one’s wrongful death?
As soon as possible. We want to protect evidence, provide you with a personalized plan of action, and work towards an efficient resolution of your case. Plus, California has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases (and wrongful death cases) that we don’t want you to miss.
Will my case automatically go to trial?
Most cases end with a settlement before trial becomes necessary. However, we will prepare your case as if a trial were a real possibility, which should benefit us during settlement negotiations.
Can I pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury case?
In many situations, yes. Bentley & More LLP handles workers’ compensation claims, so we can assist if you have suffered a work-related injury.
Speak With the Right Newport Beach-Based Legal Team. Call Bentley & More LLP Today for Your Free Consultation.
At Bentley & More LLP, we represent clients in Newport Beach and throughout Orange County whose cases require a focused, experienced, disciplined, and compassionate legal team. Nothing less will suffice.
If you are weighing your options after an accident or injury, we invite you to contact our team today to complete your free consultation.
