You would research a contractor before letting them rebuild your house. An attorney who will control a claim worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars deserves the same scrutiny. The good news: most of the vetting is free and takes under an hour. Here is a repeatable five-step process you can run on any train accident or personal injury attorney before you sign.
Step 1: Verify the license
Every U.S. state runs a free attorney-lookup tool through its bar association or court system. Search the attorney’s name and confirm they are actively licensed and in good standing in the state where your case will be handled. A lawyer can advertise nationally but must be admitted (or properly associated with local counsel) where your claim sits. If you cannot find them in the state bar directory, stop there.
Step 2: Check discipline history
The same bar lookup usually shows public discipline — reprimands, suspensions, or disbarment. Isolated, old, minor matters are not always disqualifying, but a pattern of client-trust or competence problems is. Cross-check the attorney’s name in news and court records for malpractice findings. Our track-record guide shows exactly where to look in each major state.
Step 3: Probe real experience
Marketing claims are not evidence. In the consultation, ask concrete questions: How many train or rail cases have you handled in the last five years? Have you taken one to trial? Who specifically will work my file — you or an associate or paralegal? How do you communicate and how often? Vague or evasive answers tell you as much as the words do. See our full list of questions to ask.
Step 4: Read the fee agreement
Get the contingency fee in writing and read every line. Confirm the percentage, whether it rises if the case is filed or tried, how case costs (experts, filing, records) are handled and whether they come out before or after the fee, and what you owe if the case loses (for a true contingency, the answer should be nothing in attorney fees). Compare against the market in what percentage attorneys take and model your net in the fee calculator.
Step 5: The gut check
After the homework, trust your read. Did the attorney listen, give a candid assessment including weaknesses, and respect your time? Or did they guarantee a result, pressure you to sign immediately, or dodge the fee question? Guarantees and pressure are red flags. You can — and should — consult more than one attorney before deciding. The right one will be comfortable being compared.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an attorney is licensed?
Use your state bar association's free online attorney directory. Search the lawyer's name and confirm they are actively licensed and in good standing in the state where your case will be handled.
Is it rude to ask an attorney how many cases they've handled?
Not at all. Reputable attorneys expect and welcome these questions. How they respond — openly and specifically, or vaguely and defensively — is itself useful information about how they will treat you as a client.
Can I meet with more than one attorney before hiring?
Yes. Consultations are typically free, and comparing two or three attorneys is a smart way to gauge fit, experience, and fees. A confident attorney will not object to being compared.
