Each lawyer has his own screening criteria but they will generally follow this pattern:

1) Were you injured? Sometimes mere injury isn't enough. Some states require a “permanent injury” before you can recover non-economic compensation in a car accident case.

2) was your injury caused by the negligence of another?

If the other driver ran a red light or stop sign, or rear-ended you, then he was most likely negligent.

Now, if you are careless and drive off the road you can't sue yourself. Well, you can try, but your insurance won't pay the claim.

Note: for dog bite cases in some states you don't have to show negligence of the owner. If his dog bit you, he's liable. Likewise, with dangerous products. If you are injured by a product and it is proven that the product was dangerous then the manufacturer is liable for your injuries.

3) Was the property damage (auto accident cases) enough that a jury would believe the injuries were caused by the accident?

4) the final one is intangible: do we like the injured person?

The last question may seem arbitrary but we have found that if we like a client and the client likes us, we get a better result. Given the amount of time and money we invest in a case we like to base our investment on a firm foundation: a solid trustworthy client.

When you first call a law firm about your personal injury accident legal case you will likely be directed to a paralegal. Here is what Black's Law Dictionary says about paralegals:

"A paralegal is "a person with legal skills, but who is not a attorney, and who works under the supervision of a lawyer or who is otherwise authorized by law to use those legal skills. Paralegal courses leading to degrees in such specialty are now afforded by many schools."

While many paralegals obtain a certificate or degree before working on a Utah personal injury accident legal case, some paralegals gain their training on-the-job. The most famous example is Erin Brockovich (played by Julia Roberts in the movie of the same name)

Erin Brockovich was a twice-divorced mother of three young children who convinced her attorney to hire her at his law firm. While working, Erin stumbled upon a cover-up involving contaminated water in a local community which was causing devastating illness among its residents. Erin's persistence led to the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history....$333 million.

Erin's employer rewarded her with a bonus of more than a million dollars. So, you see a paralegal can become rich and famous and without even going to school!

My point is this: paralegals are valuable in the legal profession, so don't be put off that you don't get to talk to a lawyer on your first call.

The paralegal will screen your personal injury legal case.