Check for a Proven Track Record

If you’ve been seriously hurt—whether from a car crash, work accident, or something unexpected—you need more than just legal help. You need someone who’s been through the tough fights before and came out with wins. That’s why checking for a proven track record is one of the smartest things you can do before choosing a serious injury lawyer.

A lawyer’s track record is their history of results. It tells you if they’ve handled serious cases like yours, won fair settlements or court decisions, and stood by their clients from start to finish. You don’t want to be someone’s practice case. You want someone who’s done this before and knows how to win.

What Counts as a “Proven Track Record”?

A lawyer with a proven track record has handled many cases—especially cases like yours—and helped people win strong results. This doesn’t mean they’ve won every single case, but it does mean they’ve fought hard and delivered real outcomes.

Here are a few signs that a lawyer has a solid track record:

• Big or fair settlements for serious injuries

• Positive trial outcomes

• Happy clients who leave good reviews

• Experience with both court and out-of-court cases

• Years of working only on injury or civil rights cases

Lawyers who have helped others in tough spots are more likely to help you get the money and justice you need, too.

Real Case Results Speak Loud

One of the best ways to learn about a lawyer’s success is by looking at past case results. These are real cases where the lawyer helped someone recover money after a serious injury. You can often find these listed on the lawyer’s website or in their office.

You might see things like:

• $750,000 for a back injury from a trucking accident

• $1.2 million for a brain injury caused by a fall at a construction site

• $3 million for a wrongful death after a police incident

These results matter. They show that the lawyer has handled major injury cases and fought to get full compensation for their clients. But don’t just look at numbers—ask how those results were won.

Ask the Lawyer Directly About Past Wins

When you meet with a lawyer, don’t be afraid to ask about their past cases. You can say:

• “Can you tell me about a case like mine that you’ve handled?”

• “What was the outcome?”

• “How long did it take?”

You don’t need to know every detail, but a good lawyer should be open about their past work. If they dodge the question or give vague answers, that’s a red flag.

Not Just Settlements—What About Trials?

Most serious injury cases settle before they ever get to court. But some don’t. Sometimes, the other side refuses to offer a fair deal, and a trial becomes necessary. That’s why it’s important to know whether the lawyer has trial experience.

Ask:

• “Have you taken serious injury cases to court?”

• “How many trials have you won?”

• “Would you be willing to take my case to trial if needed?”

Some lawyers always settle because they’re afraid of the courtroom. But if your case needs to go to trial, you’ll want someone who’s comfortable in front of a judge and jury.

Why Trial Experience Helps Even in Settlements

Here’s something many people don’t realize: having a lawyer with trial experience actually helps you settle your case. Why? Because insurance companies know which lawyers are ready to go to court—and which ones aren’t.

If your lawyer has a strong record in court, the other side is more likely to offer a fair settlement early on. They don’t want to risk losing big in front of a jury. That’s how having a courtroom-ready lawyer gives you more power—even outside the courtroom.

Reviews From Past Clients Are a Big Clue

Another great way to check a lawyer’s track record is by reading reviews. Past clients often leave reviews online talking about their experience. These are the people who have been where you are now—and they can tell you what it was like to work with that lawyer.

Look for reviews that mention things like:

• The lawyer fought hard and didn’t give up

• The legal team kept them informed

• The settlement helped cover medical bills and lost wages

• The lawyer helped with emotional support during tough times

You can find these reviews on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and legal websites like Avvo. The more positive, detailed reviews a lawyer has, the more likely they’ve built a strong track record.

Be Cautious of Fake or Generic Praise

Not all reviews are helpful. Be careful with reviews that seem fake or too generic, like “Great lawyer! Helped a lot!” without any details. Look for reviews that explain what kind of case the person had and how the lawyer helped.

Also, check how the lawyer responds to bad reviews. Are they respectful? Do they try to fix the problem? A lawyer who takes time to respond shows that they care and want to do better.

Ask How Long They’ve Been Handling Injury Cases

Years of experience matter—especially when it comes to serious injury law. You want someone who has spent time in the field, learned how things work, and faced different kinds of cases.

Ask the lawyer:

• “How many years have you been working on serious injury cases?”

• “Do you work only on injury and civil rights cases, or other kinds too?”

• “How many cases like mine have you taken in the past few years?”

Someone who works full-time in injury law will know how to build a case, deal with insurance adjusters, and explain your injury in ways that get results.

What About Experience With Civil Rights Cases?

Not every serious injury case involves civil rights—but some do. For example, if you were hurt in jail, by police, or in a situation where you were mistreated because of race, disability, or another reason, your case might include civil rights violations.

These cases are different from regular injury cases. You need a lawyer who knows both injury law and civil rights law. Ask:

• “Have you handled cases involving jail abuse or police force?”

• “Do you understand how civil rights laws apply to injury cases?”

If they don’t know how civil rights cases work, they might miss important details in your case.

Law Firms With a Strong Reputation

It’s not just about the lawyer—it’s also about the law firm they work with. A strong law firm often means better tools, more team support, and access to experts. Firms like Alpha Book Publisher’s legal partners have built up a reputation for taking serious cases and getting big results.

Ask about the firm’s history:

• “How long has your firm handled injury law?”

• “What kinds of cases does your team focus on?”

• “Do you work with doctors, investigators, or other experts?”

A firm with a solid track record will have everything in place to take care of you.

Research the Lawyer on the Texas Bar Website

In Texas, you can check any lawyer’s record on the State Bar of Texas website. Just search their name, and you’ll see:

• If they’re licensed to practice

• How long they’ve been working

• Whether they’ve had any complaints or disciplinary actions

This is a fast and easy way to make sure the lawyer is in good standing and has a clean record.

Case Studies and Real-Life Stories

Some lawyers share full case studies on their website or blog. These stories go into more detail about a specific case—what happened, how the case was built, and what the result was. If a lawyer has case studies, read them.

These stories can help you see:

• How the lawyer helped someone with a serious injury

• How long the case took

• What challenges came up and how they were handled

• How the settlement helped the client move forward

Real stories show you how a lawyer works—not just in numbers, but in people’s real lives.

Red Flags to Watch For

When checking a lawyer’s record, look out for red flags. These might include:

• No past results or case examples

• No reviews or too many negative ones

• A history of complaints with the state bar

• Rushing you to sign papers without answering your questions

• Making promises that seem too good to be true

If anything feels off, don’t ignore it. You can always keep looking. The right lawyer will be proud of their track record and happy to share it with you.

Don’t Settle for the First Lawyer You Meet

It’s smart to talk to more than one lawyer before making your decision. Most offer free consultations, so take advantage of that. Ask the same questions to each one and compare their answers.

Who has more experience with your kind of case? Who explains things more clearly? Who makes you feel heard and supported? Go with the lawyer who has the best mix of results, honesty, and care.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When it comes to serious injuries, hiring the right lawyer is a big decision. You only get one shot at your case. That’s why it’s so important to check for a proven track record. A lawyer’s history tells you if they’ve helped people like you—and if they can do it again.

Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions, read reviews, and dig into past results. Your case is too important to leave in the hands of someone without experience. The right lawyer will have stories to share, wins to show, and the heart to keep fighting—no matter how tough it gets.

With the right team by your side, you won’t just be another case number. You’ll have a voice, support, and the best chance at getting the justice you deserve.