The Short Answer…
To choose a personal injury lawyer, look for someone with experience with cases like yours, strong communication skills, and a proven track record. You should also make sure they work on a contingency fee basis and have the time and resources to truly focus on your case.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, picking the right lawyer may be one of the most important decisions you make. The right attorney can help you recover full compensation, deal with difficult insurance companies, and reduce the stress of your claim—while the wrong one could cost you time, money, and justice. Read on to learn how to choose a personal injury lawyer in Texas who’s right for you, what questions to ask, and what red flags to avoid.
Key Takeaways
- Not all lawyers are the same. Choosing the wrong one could cost you fair compensation or your case altogether.
- Look for real experience handling personal injury cases like yours.
- Past case results matter. A strong track record shows the lawyer knows how to build and win serious cases.
- Communication is critical. You deserve a lawyer who keeps you updated, answers questions, and treats you with respect.
- Understand the fee structure. Most injury lawyers work on contingency, but always ask about costs up front.
- Referrals, online reviews, and bar credentials are some of the best ways to find a good personal injury lawyer near you.
- Ask questions during your consultation to get a clear picture of their experience, process, and client service.
- Watch out for red flags like vague answers, high-pressure tactics, and lawyers who overpromise results.
- Braker White stands out with local experience, proven results, and client-first service—offering free consultations and no fees unless we win.
Table of Contents
- Why It’s So Important to Choose the Right Lawyer
- How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney: 4 Key Factors
- 1. Relevant Experience With Personal Injury Cases
- 2. Strong Track Record of Results
- 3. Good Communication and Availability
- 4. Clear Fee Structure and Cost Transparency
- How to Find a Good Personal Injury Lawyer
- Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring
- Red Flags to Avoid When Choosing a Lawyer
- Why Texans Choose Braker White
- Related Articles & Info
Why It’s So Important to Choose the Right Lawyer
Not all personal injury lawyers are the same. Some might take dozens of cases at once and push for quick settlements. Others may not have the staff or money to fight big insurance companies. If you hire the wrong lawyer, you may walk away with far less than you may deserve—or worse, with nothing.
The right attorney will fight to protect your legal rights, help you understand each step of the process, and maximize your chances of a strong financial recovery. That’s especially important in Texas, where insurance companies often try to blame victims to avoid paying.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney: 4 Key Factors
When researching attorneys for your injury case, you need more than just a name. You need to know what makes a lawyer a good fit for you. There are a few key things to look for that can help you feel confident in your choice, especially when you’re dealing with a stressful situation.
1. Relevant Experience With Personal Injury Cases
One of the first things to consider is how much real-world experience they have handling cases like yours. Some attorneys only take the occasional injury case while focusing on other areas like criminal law or divorce. But you want someone who deals with injury claims every day and knows how to navigate the system efficiently.
An experienced injury lawyer will know what evidence to collect, how to deal with insurance adjusters, and how to prepare your case for trial if necessary. They’ll also be familiar with Texas personal injury laws, which can directly impact the outcome of your claim.
To make sure you’re choosing someone with the right background, ask:
- How many years have you handled injury cases?
- Have you worked on cases similar to mine (car accident, oilfield injury, etc.)?
- What kinds of outcomes have you achieved for clients like me?
The more experience they have with cases like yours, the more confident you can feel that they’ll know how to handle your claim from start to finish.
2. Strong Track Record of Results
Once you’ve found a lawyer with experience in personal injury cases, the next thing to look at is their history of results. It’s one thing to take on cases—it’s another to win them.
A lawyer with a solid track record will have recovered significant compensation for clients, either through settlements or courtroom verdicts. This shows they know how to build a strong case and negotiate aggressively on behalf of their clients. It also signals to insurance companies that they’re not afraid to go to trial if needed.
Ask potential lawyers the following:
- Can you share examples of past settlements or verdicts?
- Have you handled any high-value or complex cases?
- What was the outcome in a case similar to mine?
You can also check their website or third-party review sites to see if they’ve earned any recognition or awards for their legal work. If a lawyer can’t show results or avoids the question altogether, that may be a red flag.
3. Good Communication and Availability
When you’re dealing with a serious injury, the last thing you want is a lawyer who’s hard to reach or keeps you in the dark. Clear, consistent communication is one of the most important qualities to look for when choosing a personal injury lawyer.
From your first phone call or meeting, notice how they treat you. Do they listen carefully? Do they answer your questions in a way that makes sense? Are they respectful and patient? The way a lawyer communicates early on is a good indicator of how they’ll handle your case.
You should also find out:
- Who will be your main point of contact? Will you speak directly to the lawyer or just their staff?
- How often will you get updates? Will they check in regularly or only call when something big happens?
- How quickly do they return calls or emails? You shouldn’t have to wait days to get a simple answer.
During this stressful time, you deserve straight answers, fast responses, and real updates. A good lawyer should make you feel supported, not forgotten.
4. Clear Fee Structure and Cost Transparency
When vetting an attorney, it’s crucial to understand how they get paid. Most personal injury attorneys in Texas work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
- You don’t pay anything upfront.
- The lawyer only gets paid if you win.
- Their fee comes out of the settlement or verdict amount.
This setup helps make legal help accessible to everyone, no matter your financial situation. But not all fee agreements are the same, so ask the right questions before you sign anything, like:
- What percentage do you take if we win?
- Are there any hidden costs or case expenses?
- Who pays for things like filing fees or expert witnesses?
- Will I owe anything if we don’t win the case?
A trustworthy lawyer will clearly explain all of this. At Braker White, we never charge a fee unless we recover compensation for you, and we go over the entire fee structure up front—no surprises, no pressure.
How to Find a Good Personal Injury Lawyer
Wondering how to find a good personal injury lawyer in Texas? Here are the most reliable ways to search:
Ask for Referrals
Start with people you trust—friends, family, or coworkers who’ve worked with a personal injury lawyer and had a good experience.
Do Online Research
Look for lawyers in your area using:
- Google reviews
- Legal rating sites
- State Bar of Texas attorney directory
Read testimonials and look for consistency in positive reviews.
Check Credentials
See if the attorney:
- Is board-certified in personal injury trial law
- Has won awards or peer recognitions
- Belongs to organizations like the Texas Trial Lawyers Association or the American Association for Justice
Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring
Knowing how to choose the right personal injury lawyer means asking the right questions. Here’s a checklist to bring to your consultation:
These questions help you separate the truly experienced lawyers from those just looking to settle cases quickly.
Red Flags to Avoid When Choosing a Lawyer
Asking how to pick a personal injury lawyer is just one part of the puzzle. You also need to know who not to pick. Watch out for:
Unsolicited letters or calls after your accident.
Lawyers who claim to be affiliated with your insurance or tell you that you must hire them. No legitimate attorney will say your insurance won’t cover you unless you hire their firm.
Big promises or guaranteed results—no lawyer can promise an exact outcome.
Vague answers about fees, experience, or who will handle your case.
Little or no trial experience—especially if your case may go to court.
Too many clients and not enough time to give your case personal attention.
A good lawyer will give honest answers, explain your options clearly, and never pressure you with scare tactics. At Braker White, we believe in earning trust—not buying it with false promises.
Why Texans Choose Braker White
Choosing the right lawyer can feel overwhelming. But with our qualified team at Braker White, you’re never alone. As West Texans ourselves, we understand the courts, communities, and challenges unique to this region. We know the roads where accidents happen, the tactics insurance companies use here, and how to build strong cases that local judges and juries respect.
We’re proud to offer:
- Decades of combined experience in Texas injury law.
- Deep local knowledge of courts, judges, and insurance practices in West Texas.
- Testimonials from satisfied clients in Odessa, Midland, and beyond.
- Personalized service and direct access to our attorneys.
- Proven results in even the toughest injury cases.
- No fee unless we win.
For decades, we’ve helped injury victims in Odessa, Midland, and surrounding areas—not from a call center across the state or country, but right here in your community. If you’ve been hurt, trust a firm that knows West Texas and stands up for the people who live here.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Still wondering how to choose a personal injury attorney? Start by talking with one.
Call us or fill out our online form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll answer your questions, review your case, and help you take the next step toward recovery.
