How do you actually find a good PI attorney after a crash? Felt totally lost

The free consult thing is SO real. I went through four before I found someone who didn't make me feel like a number. Trust your gut in that first conversation — if they're already dismissive before you've even hired them, it only gets worse.

Whatever you do, don't let the other driver's insurance adjuster pressure you into settling before you even have a lawyer. They may call you sounding super friendly and reasonable, but they are not on your side. Their job is to close your claim as cheaply as possible. Get representation first, then talk to them — or better yet, let your attorney handle all of it.

Spent years on the insurance side before switching careers and I can tell you — claims without attorneys attached get handled very differently internally. Not saying that to scare you, just being honest. When a represented claimant comes in with organized documentation and a lawyer who knows the process, the whole tone of the file changes. The consult-shopping approach you described is smart. The right fit matters.

A couple of practical things worth knowing: most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and they take a percentage only if you recover something. That percentage can sometimes be negotiated, especially if your case is relatively straightforward. Also, ask during your consult who will actually be working your file — sometimes you meet a senior attorney but a junior associate handles everything day-to-day. Not always bad, but worth knowing going in.

Three consults minimum. Don't let anyone rush you into signing a retainer the same day you walk in. A decent attorney understands you need time to decide.

Please make sure you're keeping detailed records of every PT appointment, every symptom, every day you had to miss work or couldn't do normal activities because of your neck. Your attorney will need this, but honestly it also helps you track your own recovery. A lot of people underreport their pain levels because they don't want to seem dramatic — don't do that. Accurate documentation matters both medically and legally.

Six weeks out and still in PT twice a week — that's a lot to be dealing with. I'm glad you're taking the legal stuff seriously and not just letting it slide. Some people I know just accepted whatever the insurance offered because they were exhausted and wanted it over. Make sure you're giving yourself time to actually know the full extent of your injuries before anything gets settled.

Not legal advice, but the instinct to do multiple consultations is genuinely one of the best things an accident victim can do. Beyond credentials and reviews, pay attention to how well they explain things without jargon — that communication style in a consult usually reflects how they'll keep you informed throughout the case. Also, if your injuries are still evolving (like ongoing PT suggests), a good attorney will typically advise waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement before resolving a claim, so you know the full picture of damages.

Curious — when you say you felt like the third attorney was asking about your situation specifically, what kinds of questions were they asking? I'm trying to figure out what actually separates a genuinely engaged attorney from one who's just better at performing engagement during a sales pitch.

Honestly the fact that you didn't just take the first offer or go with the first lawyer you found shows a lot of self-advocacy. A lot of people freeze after an accident and just let things happen to them. The extra legwork you did upfront is probably going to pay off down the line — both in terms of your settlement and just feeling less anxious about the whole process.