Look for a licensed Texas lawyer who handles injury cases as a core part of the practice, will tell you who actually works on your case, explains the fee in writing, and is ready to go to trial if the insurer will not pay fair value. Verify any lawyer’s license on the State Bar of Texas website.
Start with the basics. Every Texas lawyer’s license can be checked on the State Bar of Texas website, which shows where they are licensed and when they were admitted. Confirm that the lawyer you are meeting is the one who will handle your case, not a name on a billboard.
Ask about experience with your kind of case. A rear-end collision with a minimum policy is different from an 18-wheeler crash with a federal carrier, a rideshare claim with app-status questions, or a wrongful death case with several family members. The lawyer should be able to explain the specific law and insurance that apply.
Ask how the case will be handled. Who returns your calls, how often will you get updates, and who will appear at a deposition or trial? Ask how they decide whether to file suit, and how they handle hospital liens and health insurance reimbursement, which affect what you take home.
Get the fee in writing. Texas rules require a contingent fee agreement to be in writing and to state how the fee is determined, the percentages for settlement, trial, or appeal if they differ, and which expenses are deducted and whether before or after the fee is calculated. Compare those terms before you sign.
Ask about trial experience and whether the lawyer is prepared to file suit. Most cases settle, but insurers evaluate a claim partly by whether the lawyer handling it is ready to try it. A lawyer who explains how a case would be presented to a Harris County jury is showing you how they will build it.
Steven Owsley has been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1985 and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The firm has two Houston offices, the consultation is free, and there is no fee unless the firm wins.
What to do, step by step
- Check the lawyer’s license on the State Bar of Texas website.
- Ask who will handle your case day to day.
- Ask about experience with your type of crash and injury.
- Get the fee agreement in writing and read the expense terms.
- Ask how and how often you will receive updates.
Language can matter as well. If you or a family member is more comfortable in Spanish or Vietnamese, ask whether the firm can communicate in that language. Owsley Law Firm serves clients in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Ask how the lawyer handles medical liens and reimbursement. Hospital liens under Property Code Chapter 55, health plan claims, and Medicare or Medicaid interests can take a large share of a settlement if no one negotiates them. A lawyer who explains that process at the start is giving you a realistic picture of your net recovery.
Communication should be clear from the first meeting. You should know how to reach the person handling your case, how quickly to expect updates, and what will happen next. If those answers are vague before you sign, they are unlikely to improve after.
Texas has rules for lawyer advertising and solicitation. Be cautious about anyone who contacts you uninvited soon after a crash to sign you up. A lawyer you choose after your own research is a better start.
Location matters less than it used to. Many firms meet clients by phone or video and travel for meetings. What matters more is whether the lawyer knows the courts, the insurers, and the law that apply to your case.
Related questions
Should I hire the first lawyer who calls me?
Take time to compare. A short delay to choose carefully is fine, though evidence should be preserved quickly.
Can I change lawyers if I am unhappy?
Yes. You can discharge a lawyer, though the prior lawyer may be entitled to be paid for work performed under the agreement.
Does a Houston lawyer handle cases elsewhere in Texas?
Owsley Law Firm handles cases statewide and meets clients across Texas.
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