When you're looking for a personal injury or auto accident attorney, one of the first things you're going to want to know is how much experience does he or she have.  When it comes to negotiating contracts, there's no replacement for experience, but it's hard to say exactly how many years of experience your lawyer should have because there are many other factors to consider.  Don't make the mistake of choosing a lawyer just because he or she has been in practice for a long time.  Ask yourself these questions to determine whether or not you should choose an attorney.

What Do the Reviews Say?

Conduct an internet search of your lawyer's name or firm and see what people have to say.  When choosing between one lawyer with slightly more experience and one with less, customer satisfaction may be the great equalizer.  Be cautious and choose a balance of experience and good feedback from clients.  

Quality or Quantity?

Is it better to have a lawyer with lots of general experience or a lawyer with less experience in general, but lots of experience in personal injury law?  While a good attorney is a good attorney, pick the option with more experience in the personal injury field.  When you're looking over the experience of potential lawyers, don't just look at how much experience they have, but also what kind of experience.  You don't want to get involved with a lawyer associated with a disreputable firm or company.  

3) How Do They Communicate?

Is it important to you to communicate with your attorney on a regular basis?  Do you want a more hands on lawyer?  If maintaining communication with your attorney is a high priority, you might want to choose someone that has time to walk you through your case step by step.  Attorneys at large firms may not work this way, preferring to communicate through email and assistants.  You can even ask potential attorneys what their communication style is.

4) How Long Have They Been in Your Area?

If you're choosing between two lawyers and one has more experience in your city, they might be a better choice.  A good attorney develops relationships with judges and other lawyers in the area that they practice.  Your lawyer's relationships and connections could be a valuable asset during negotiations or in court.  

When choosing a personal injury attorney, experience is priceless, but before you hire someone, ask yourself these questions to qualify their experience.