A bad crash or fall can turn everything upside down in one afternoon. Then, comes the hard part…picking someone to stand up to an insurance company while you try to heal. At Morain & Buckelew, LLC, we bring 65+ years of helping injured people and families, and we take pride in making a terrible day right.

This guide walks you through what to look for, what to ask, and how to choose a lawyer who fits your case and your needs. Our goal is simple: give you a clear path to a smart choice without the guesswork.

Why Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer Matters

Insurance companies keep teams of lawyers and adjusters ready to defend claims. They study your records, question your injuries, and push for low offers. Your lawyer’s skill and preparation can make a big difference in the result you take home.

Ads can look flashy, yet not every firm handles cases the same way. Some offices push fast settlements and move on to the next file, which can leave money on the table and you short on answers. Pick based on fit, record, and trust…not billboards.

Watch for these warning signs of a volume-first approach, then trust your gut if something feels rushed or vague.

• Pressure to settle at the first offer without a clear damages review.
• Limited contact with an attorney, and no plan for investigation.
• Vague answers about trial readiness or past results.

With the right lawyer, you get fair attention, a real plan, and steady guidance from start to finish. That is how you protect both your health and your claim.

Main Considerations When Selecting a Personal Injury Attorney

Think of this as your checklist. These points help you compare lawyers and find the person who fits your case, your timeline, and your comfort level.

Years of Experience

Ask about years in practice and the types of injury cases they handle week in and week out. Go one step further: ask about cases like yours and what results they reached, including trials and settlements. Morain & Buckelew, LLC, brings 65+ collective years to injury and wrongful death matters, and that long view matters when the stakes are high.

Experience shows in the questions a lawyer asks, the records they gather, and how they push back on weak offers. You deserve that steady hand.

Professional Reputation

How the legal community views a lawyer tells you a lot about trust and performance. Friends and family can share their stories, yet peer feedback adds another layer.

Helpful resources for peer and client feedback include:

• Martindale-Hubbell for peer ratings and profiles.
• Best Lawyers in America for recognized listings.
• Super Lawyers for annual peer-nominated selections.

Use reviews as a starting point, then sit down and see if the fit feels right to you.

Clear Communication

You should not feel left in the dark. From the first call, notice if the office listens, explains next steps, and gives honest timelines.

Strong communication often looks like this:

• Fast responses to calls or emails, with realistic timeframes.
• Plain-English updates on medical records, insurance contact, and offers.
• Direct access to the lawyer who leads your case.

Our team at Morain & Buckelew, LLC, is built around quality, compassionate service, and timely updates. We keep you in the loop, always.

Fee Agreements

Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. This means attorney fees come from the recovery, and if there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee.

Even with a contingency, ask about costs like medical records, court filing, depositions, and professionals. The table below gives an at-a-glance view of common topics to cover in your fee assessment.

Topic	What It Means	Questions to Ask
Attorney Fee Percentage	A set share of the recovery, often tiered if a lawsuit or trial is needed.	What is the percentage at each stage, and does it change if we file suit?
Case Costs	Out-of-pocket expenses for records, professionals, depositions, and trial.	Who advances costs, and how are they repaid at the end?
If the Case Is Lost	No attorney fee. Policies differ on repayment of costs.	Do I owe any costs if there is no recovery?
Written Agreement	A signed contract that spells out fees, costs, and client rights.	Will I get a copy of the signed agreement and an itemized closeout?
Liens and Reimbursements	Health plans or providers might claim a share from the settlement.	Who handles lien reductions, and how are reductions documented?

A clear fee assessment up front prevents surprises later and keeps the focus on your recovery and your case value.

Personal Comfort

You will share private medical details and tough moments. Pick someone you trust, who listens, and who stands firm when the other side pushes back. Morain & Buckelew, LLC, takes a personal interest in each client and family, which helps us tell your story the right way.

That relationship matters, and you will feel it in every call and meeting.

Focus Areas

Choose a lawyer who handles your type of case on a regular basis. Car and truck crashes, motorcycle wrecks, unsafe property, medical problems, and workers’ compensation all involve different proof and timelines. A focused practice brings patterns, medicine, and defense tactics into sharper view.

Ask how often the firm handles your kind of claim and what makes those cases different.

Availability and Attention

Your case needs time and energy. Confirm the office has room to start now, not weeks from now, and that you will get direct access to the lawyer running the file. Ask how often you will get updates and who you call when something new comes up.

Steady attention keeps evidence fresh and momentum strong.

Adequate Resources

Serious cases call for deep work, from full medical records to accident reconstruction. Ask about the team, investigators, and consultants they bring in for complex issues. Also, ask if they are ready to take the case to court if talks stall.

Resources, plus time and focus, help level the field against a well-funded insurance company.

Referrals from Other Attorneys

Lawyers talk, and they know who gets results. Ask a trusted attorney who they would call for a tough injury case, even if that person handles another field.

Referrals from attorneys speak volumes about skill and day-to-day commitment.

Litigation Experience

Insurance carriers track which lawyers try cases and which ones fold. Trial ability raises case value since the other side knows you can go the distance.

Good questions to ask include:

• How often do you try lawsuits in court, and what types?
• What was your most recent trial about, and what did you learn from it?
• How do you decide when to file suit instead of settling early?

Clear answers give you confidence in the plan and the person leading it.

Continuing Education

Lawyers who teach at legal seminars or write for legal publications often have the respect of their peers. Ask if they present to other lawyers, publish articles, or mentor newer attorneys. That kind of work reflects constant learning and a strong commitment to clients.

It also shows they can explain complex issues in a way jurors understand.

Professional Organization Involvement

Memberships in groups that stand up for injured people can matter. These organizations publish materials, support education, and push for consumer rights.

Ask about national and state groups they belong to, then ask how that helps your case.

Taking the Next Steps

Talk with more than one lawyer before you sign anything. Bring your police report, photos, medical records, and insurance letters, then ask the same questions at each meeting to compare apples to apples.

1. Set two or three consultations and bring your documents and timeline.
2. Ask about experience with cases like yours, fees, and trial readiness.
3. Pick the person who listens, explains the plan, and gives you confidence.

The lawyer you choose can shape your result and your peace of mind. Organized and respected, Morain & Buckelew, LLC, are steady advocates who keep fighting for justice, and we stand by that every day.

Contact Morain & Buckelew, LLC, Today

If you are ready for clear guidance and a plan that fits your case, reach out. Feel free to call us at 404-448-3146 or visit our website to tell us what happened and set a consultation. We welcome your questions, and we will treat your case with care. Let’s take a hard day and work to make it right for you and your family.