Austin, TX personal injury attorney Scott Hendler talks about the process of bringing a personal injury lawsuit. He believes that the first thing any prospective personal injury plaintiff needs to decide is which lawyer they want to work with, a choice that can be challenging. He emphasizes the importance of interviewing the lawyer, feeling a sense of chemistry and confidence, and establishing a trust-based relationship. He recommends speaking with former clients to understand their experiences with the firm and asking about access to the lawyer and their staff.

He notes that lawyers require time to investigate the facts of a case and prepare the initial court filings, known as pleadings, which are then served on the defendants. The defendants need time to hire counsel and respond, so the early stages of a personal injury lawsuit demand some energy from the plaintiff. Once underway, the plaintiff can rely on the lawyer to handle most of the heavy lifting.

The client will eventually need to testify, usually in a deposition, and the lawyer prepares them thoroughly for that process. They may also attend a settlement conference, and if the case proceeds to trial, the client must be ready to participate, which in complex injury cases can last two to four weeks. Ultimately, he stresses that stronger cases are more likely to resolve before reaching trial.