Most people don’t have a lot of experience with attorneys. So, when something terrible happens to you, such as a personal injury, and you want to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party, you may not be sure what to look for in an attorney.

The truth is that you can find a lot of advice about what to look for in an attorney but not a lot of advice about what types of things you don’t want in one. Like any other person you work with, there are great and not-so-great attorneys. Since we know a few things about what makes a great attorney, we thought we’d share what things you should be looking for that you don’t want in one.

Here are a few red flags you should look for when it comes to an attorney representing you in a personal injury case. If you notice any of these red flags, be on high alert to ensure that you have a skilled and knowledgeable attorney who wants to put their expertise to work for you. If they don’t, then try to find another to help.

Red Flag No. 1: They Aren’t Compassionate

When you’re injured and looking for help, you’re in a vulnerable position. So, you want an attorney who genuinely cares about representing you in your case. They don’t have to become your best friend, but they should endeavor to invest in your case and be willing to help explain every step of the process to you and answer your questions. If you don’t feel they are committed to working with you, you may want to seek other legal help.

Red Flag No. 2: They Don’t Have Experience

Experience for an attorney is essential, but more important is how much experience they have in dealing with cases like yours. Although no two cases will be identical, you should still seek out an attorney to work with who has experience in the type of case you have, such as a workers’ compensation case if you get injured at work. Ask any potential attorney what kind of experience they have with cases like yours and their success rate.

Red Flag No. 3: Communication Breakdown

Your lawyer may be busy with other clients, but there is no reason they shouldn’t be communicating with you about your case. The basis of everything you do together depends on good communication, so your entire working relationship can be in trouble if that is lacking. You also want to feel as if you are free to contact your attorney and ask them any questions you may have. If you don’t feel you can, you need to find an attorney with whom you can communicate.

Think of it this way: If your lawyer fails to communicate minor details concerning your case, how can you expect them to communicate the more significant issues? Because in a personal injury case, there will be important things you need to work on together.

A good attorney can differentiate between a successful personal injury case and an unsuccessful one. If you are looking for these red flags, you are well on the way to a great relationship with a good attorney.

About the Author:

A lifelong Minnesotan, founding partner Ronald R. Envall has spent his entire legal career fighting for the little guy, focusing on workers’ compensation, Social Security, and personal injury cases. He has been recognized by SuperLawyers as a Top Rated attorney in Duluth, placing him in the top 5 percent of all workers comp lawyers across the state. In his free time, Mr. Envall serves on the boards of several area government and nonprofit organizations and is a member of the Minnesota Association for Justice, which supports consumer rights.