Anderson Injury Lawyers | January 12, 2023 | Personal Injury

Most people use the title “lawyer” and “attorney” interchangeably. In fact, lawyers and attorneys are very similar because both have studied at, and graduated from, an accredited law school. 

However, just because a lawyer has graduated from law school doesn’t mean that they can practice law in court. To represent clients in Texas courts, a lawyer must pass the Texas Bar Exam. Once a lawyer passes the bar exam and is admitted to the Texas State Bar, then they become known as an attorney.

Do I Need a Lawyer or an Attorney?

If you’ve been in a car accident or were injured at work, you may require legal advice. You may be wondering if you are entitled to money and who will pay for your medical bills or lost wages. While you can ask either a lawyer or an attorney for advice, you’ll probably want to hire an attorney.

That’s because, under Texas law, only a licensed attorney can practice in Texas courts. That means that unless the lawyer passes the bar exam, they won’t be able to do anything more for you other than talk about the case. It may be helpful to speak with a lawyer to some extent;  ultimately, however, you’ll need to hire an attorney to file a lawsuit and represent you. 

It’s best to start out by talking with a personal injury attorney. That way, you won’t need to repeat your story time and time again before pursuing your case.

How Can I Tell If They Are an Attorney or Lawyer?

You can always ask the prospective attorney during your initial consultation if they can practice law in Texas courts. Under Rule 8.04 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, a lawyer cannot engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. That means that they must answer your question truthfully, or else risk discipline by the bar.

However, if you want to find out if a lawyer is an attorney before speaking with them, you can look them up on the State Bar of Texas website. This directory provides basic information for all attorneys who are licensed to practice in Texas courts. If the lawyer doesn’t show up here, they probably aren’t an attorney, or they may have lost their license.

How To Choose the Right Attorney in Fort Worth, TX

If you’ve done a Google search for a personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, you may be overwhelmed by the results. After all, there are many attorneys who practice personal injury law in Fort Worth, so how do you know who’s the best?

When choosing the right attorney for you, you should consider the following during your first meeting:

  • Does the attorney practice law in the same city or county where your injury occurred? 
  • Has the attorney successfully handled cases that are similar to yours? If so, how many cases?
  • Does the attorney listen to you and provide clear answers to your questions?
  • Has the attorney won any awards or been recognized by professional organizations?
  • Does the attorney have a proven track record of success?

If you don’t connect with the attorney or suspect they aren’t qualified to handle your case, you should find a different one. After all, you only get one shot to bring your case.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711