Tips for finding the best attorney in New York
Personal injury lawsuits are often lengthy and stressful. You’ll spend a lot of time communicating with your attorney and, depending on the nature of your case, you may need to share sensitive or embarrassing information. For these reasons, it’s important that the attorney you hire is qualified, experienced, and easy to work with.
You can’t throw a stone without hitting a lawyer in New York (though we don’t recommend throwing stones at lawyers). Surprisingly, one-fourth of all lawyers in the U.S. are concentrated in just two states: California and New York.
New York alone boasts 188,341 lawyers.
The upside is that finding a lawyer shouldn't be difficult. The downside is that finding the right lawyer for your specific case can be overwhelming. We're here to help.
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
You may be wondering whether you need an attorney at all.
If your accident didn’t result in any injuries, you may not need to hire an attorney. You should, however, be careful before concluding that you didn’t suffer any injuries. Often, symptoms don’t appear until days or even weeks after sustaining an injury.
Fortunately, most personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations, which gives you an opportunity to discuss your accident and determine, with the help of the attorney, whether you have a valid legal case requiring the assistance of an attorney.
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you receive compensation. Because of this, personal injury attorneys will be honest with you if they believe you don't have a case.
How do you find the best personal injury attorney in New York?
Once you’ve determined that you have a valid legal case, it’s time to start locating some qualified attorneys in your area. There are a number of resources to help you do this. Let’s take a close look at three of the most common resources:
1. Ask family, friends, and colleagues for recommendations
The most trustworthy marketing is word of mouth. When looking for an attorney, don’t hesitate to ask your family, friends, and colleagues for recommendations.
There are a number of private social networks that allow you to request recommendations from people who live in your neighborhood, such as Nextdoor.
2. Utilize trusted legal directories
Searching for an attorney in New York on Google can yield a list of over 100,000 lawyers, many of whom are no longer practicing.
A more effective way to find a licensed and active attorney in New York is to use an online directory. At Enjuris, our directory of contributing attorneys includes only vetted, active attorneys who concentrate on personal injury law.
Another option is the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, which allows you to search for a licensed attorney in your county.
3. Explore free legal help
There are a number of attorneys in New York that provide legal assistance for free (or at reduced rates). Each attorney has different eligibility requirements, but generally your household income must be less than 125% of the federally recognized poverty level.
2024 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and |
|
|---|---|
| Persons in family/household | Poverty guideline |
| 1 | $15,060 |
| 2 | $20,440 |
| 3 | $25,820 |
| 4 | $31,200 |
| 5 | $36,580 |
| 6 | $41,960 |
| 7 | $47,340 |
| 8 | $52,720 |
The City Bar Justice Center’s Legal Hotline provides legal advice, information, and referrals to low-income New Yorkers who can't afford private attorneys. The Hotline assists with civil legal issues like family law, housing, domestic violence, bankruptcy, debt collection, and benefits.
The Hotline operates Monday – Thursday from 9:15 AM to 4:45 PM (closed from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) and Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 212-626-7383. You can also apply online through the online intake application.
LawHelpNY.org offers legal information for those who can't afford a lawyer. It lists over 600 free legal service projects and organizations, and more than 4,000 resources on 16 areas of law. LawHelpNY.org is available in Spanish.
Understanding legal fees and costs
Legal fees can be confusing. Here's a breakdown of common fee structures:
- Contingency fees: Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. Typically, the attorney's fee is a percentage of your settlement or court award.
- Hourly fees: Some attorneys charge by the hour, which can vary significantly. Ensure you get an estimate of the total hours required for your case.
- Flat fees: For certain services, attorneys may charge a flat fee. This is less common in personal injury cases but can apply to specific tasks within the case.
- Additional costs: Be aware of additional costs such as filing fees, expert witness fees, and administrative expenses. Clarify whether these costs are included in the contingency fee or billed separately.
Understanding the different types of legal fees can help you make an informed decision and avoid unexpected costs later. For more detailed information, you can refer to our fee negotiation guide.
What questions should I ask an attorney I’m considering hiring?
Now that you’ve located the contact information for a handful of New York attorneys, you’ll want to arrange an initial meeting with each attorney so that you can be sure to choose one that you get along with.
When you meet with potential attorneys, be sure to ask the following questions:
- How long have you been a lawyer?
- Have you handled matters like mine before?
- How do you charge your fees?
- Will you be handling all aspects of my case, or will I work with an associate or paralegal?
- How do you like to communicate with clients (telephone, email, in-person, etc.)?
- How do you see my case proceeding?
Personal Injury Attorney Interview Sheet
Worksheet with questions to ask a personal injury attorney to help determine if he or she will be a good fit for your case
Download in PDF format
Keep in mind that your attorney will also want to ask you some questions about your case. Review and download the checklist below so that you’re prepared.
Your First Meeting with an Attorney
A worksheet to prepare for your first meeting with a personal injury attorney – what to bring, what they'll ask
Download in PDF format
See our guide Choosing a personal injury attorney.