Important qualities for a personal injury attorney include:
- Expertise and Experience:
An excellent personal injury attorney should have a strong background and extensive experience in handling personal injury cases. This expertise allows them to understand the intricacies of personal injury law, insurance policies, and the tactics employed by opposing counsel.
- Communication Skills:
Effective communication is crucial for a personal injury attorney. They need to be able to clearly articulate complex legal concepts to their clients and communicate with other parties involved in the case, such as insurance adjusters, medical professionals, and the court.
- Negotiation Skills:
Many personal injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations. A skilled attorney should be adept at negotiation to ensure their clients receive fair compensation for their injuries and losses.
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities:
Personal injury cases often involve complex legal issues and large volumes of evidence. An attorney needs to possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills to build a robust case for their client.
- Empathy and Compassion:
Dealing with individuals who have suffered injuries and emotional distress requires empathy and compassion. A good attorney should be understanding and supportive while guiding their clients through the legal process.
- Trial Experience:
While many cases are resolved through settlements, some may go to trial. An attorney with trial experience is better equipped to represent their client effectively in court, if necessary.
- Attention to Detail:
Personal injury cases often involve extensive documentation, medical records, and evidence. An attorney who pays attention to detail can spot critical information that may strengthen the case.
- Client-Focused Approach: A great personal injury attorney prioritizes their client's best interests. They should be responsive, accessible, and keep the client informed about the progress of the case.
- Tenacity and Perseverance:
Personal injury cases can be lengthy and complex. A dedicated attorney must be tenacious in pursuing justice for their clients and persevering through any challenges that arise.
- Legal and Industry Knowledge:
Apart from a deep understanding of personal injury law, an attorney should be aware of recent changes in legislation and industry trends that could impact the case. A Board certified Personal Injury litigation specialist has superior knowledge in injury cases and especially before a judge and jury at trial.
- Reputation and Integrity:
A personal injury attorney's reputation within the legal community and with previous clients can be indicative of their professionalism and integrity.
12. Specialization in the Right Area of Practice
Just like doctors have various specialties, lawyers have specific areas of expertise, too. By focusing on a particular area of law, they’re able to learn the law in depth. While it might seem tempting to use your divorce lawyer for a personal injury case, choose wisely! Experience in the area of practice gives an attorney the skills and insights to pursue the best possible result for you.
13. A Fully-Equipped Legal Team That Can Handle a Range of Legal Issues
Each case is unique. Some cases require expert witnesses, and some of those witnesses may be more than reluctant. There may be confusing evidentiary issues or other problems you may not know how to navigate. A good personal injury lawyer surrounds themselves with a team of board certified attorneys and the resources to handle unique issues in each case.
14. Research and Writing Skills
A lot of advocating for a client is done in writing. In fact, to begin your case, the attorney prepares and files written documents. A good personal injury attorney knows how to research legal issues and present them in written arguments to the court. Effective research and writing skills are qualities that make for an excellent attorney.
15. Oral Advocacy Skills
While research and writing are necessary, ultimately, a trial is conducted by speaking. An attorney has to effectively argue to a jury and the judge. They have to be able to tell a story to the people who decide the case. Engaging and convincing public speaking skills are necessary to be an outstanding lawyer.
16.Active Listening Skills
An attorney won’t represent you well if they don’t know you well. They need to know the facts of the case, from your perspective. They also need to know what’s most important to you as you pursue your claim. An attorney should ask you questions and actively listen to you and involve you. They should listen to your concerns. Without listening, they can’t effectively represent your best interests nor can they adequately negotiate with opposing counsel.
17. Thorough Investigative Skills in Pursuit of Your Case
A quality personal injury lawyer pursues the case in detail and with superior investigative skills. They don’t just talk to one witness; they speak to all the witnesses and line up expert witnesses as needed. They prepare for potential evidentiary issues, and they file motions for their clients. What makes for a good personal injury lawyer is dedication to a thorough pursuit of a case utilizing the latest investigative methods.
18. Trial Experience With a Settlement History, also
Some attorneys like to conduct trials. Other attorneys want to settle every case. However, a good personal injury attorney has a track record of doing both. Most cases should settle. But an attorney should be able and willing to take a case to trial when it’s appropriate. An experienced attorney knows when to try a case and when to settle it, especially if they are board certified.
19. A Clearly Stated Fee Agreement
A clear fee agreement is an essential part of being a good lawyer. A client needs to know how the lawyer gets paid for the services that they provide. The agreement should be in writing and signed by both parties. The client should have the opportunity to ask questions, and the contract should be in plain language that the client can understand. At Aaron Herbert Law Firm we do not get paid unless we win.
When you are seeking the right personal injury attorney for you in Texas, it's essential to consider these qualities to ensure you have competent representation for your case.
The most important things your Texas personal injury lawyer will do for you, are as follows:
- Bring to bear all their negotiation experience on your behalf
- Help you document and prove your pain and suffering
- Bring objective, knowledgeable perspective to your decisions
- Uncover layers to find who is really responsible
- Level the playing field (the other side will have a lawyer)
- Navigate court customs and procedures
- Draw on resources like expert witnesses and private investigators
- Keep an eye on timing and procedures, making sure all documents are filed properly
- Determine when the defendant's evidence may be suspect
- Advise on courses of action, including help with medical bills
- Possibly increase your potential compensation
- Guide you through negotiation, mediation, trial
- Spend their time and energy on your case, so you don't have to – it's their job and they can do it way better than you can on your own.
Aaron A. Herbert
Founding Attorney
Aaron A. Herbert is a Texas attorney, Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
For over a decade he has shown an unwavering commitment to clients who were seriously injured by major accidents and industrial catastrophes. During that time he has earned the reputation as one of America’s most aggressive trial lawyers by achieving noteworthy recoveries from judges and juries, as well as substantial settlements prior to trial, the majority of which contained negotiated confidentiality agreements at the request of the defense. When asked about these cases, Mr. Herbert has said that each case not only justified the recovery level, but that no one would trade places with any one of these victims in return for any amount of money, once they know the facts and severity of the injuries and tragedy involved. According to Mr. Herbert, “there can be no substitute for passion, preparation and persistence in the practice of law”. He is known not only for this tenacious preparation, but also for his imagination in the courtroom. He is passionate and persistent in seeking to obtain the maximum case value for each individual client at trial or through settlement, while reducing the stress of litigation on his clients. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Herbert enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and later received an Honorable Discharge. After the Marines, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University, then a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. There he graduated in the top of his class and became an eternal Sooners Football fan. Aaron has worked as a zealous advocate for injured clients at several boutique personal injury litigation firms where he amassed numerous jury verdicts. After spending a year as the top earning litigation attorney at a firm that frequently tops verdict search as one with the highest number of trial wins in Texas, Aaron accepted a position as a the managing pre-litigation attorney at another Dallas personal injury firm. Over the next seven years he transitioned to the managing litigation attorney, and that firm grew to one of the largest personal injury firms in Dallas. In 2010 he formed the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, to get back to a focus on developing each individual case and maximizing case value for each client. Mr. Herbert practices law with the belief that a well taken care of, highly engaged and motivated team of employees working in a cooperative team environment will result in superior representation and great results for the firm clients. He believes in always setting a goal of achieving the best possible results for each and every client.
Education
Texas A&M University (B.S. Criminal Justice, 1999)
University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 2002)
Professional Associations
Licensed to practice in Texas (2002)
Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2008)
Member
State Bar of Texas
American Bar Association
American Trial Lawyer Association
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
Dallas County Bar Association
Tarrant County Bar Association
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Nation Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Publications
Litigating Dog Bite Cases, Texas Dog Law Seminar, Dallas 2009