How to Identify Top Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident due to the negligence of another, you are entitled to file an injury claim to pursue a settlement. It is important to search for an experienced, local personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights and understand the true value of your claim. Ideally, you will find the most qualified injury lawyer in your area. What makes a good personal injury lawyer? Top personal injury lawyers will treat you with compassion, listen carefully, build a strong case, and negotiate a full and fair settlement for your losses. If they are unable to negotiate a fair settlement, they will bring a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Outside of checking reviews and asking about experience in the initial consultation, there are three main criteria you can use to identify a top personal injury lawyer:
- Awards/memberships with respected legal organizations
Recognition through awards and memberships in prestigious legal organizations—such as the American Bar Association, the Washington State Association for Justice, or the American Trial Lawyers Association—demonstrates a lawyer’s commitment to excellence and continued professional development. These honors are often peer-reviewed, meaning other legal professionals have acknowledged the attorney’s skill, ethics, and success in their field.
- Legal credentials
Strong legal credentials, such as experience serving as a judge pro tem or teaching continuing legal education, are clear indicators of legal expertise and leadership in the profession. These roles are typically reserved for attorneys with deep knowledge of the law, good judgment, and a strong reputation in the legal community.
- Admissions to practice law
Being admitted to practice law in multiple courts demonstrates a high level of trust and competence. Admission to practice at the federal level or in the U.S. Supreme Court is especially prestigious. These admissions show that the attorney is qualified to handle complex cases and advocate for clients across a range of legal settings and jurisdictions.
How to Identify Top Personal Injury Lawyers
You are more likely to have a positive outcome for your personal injury claim if you hire a highly skilled personal injury attorney with several recognitions and a commitment to the legal profession. Here are some details about Michael Tario’s legal credentials, experience, admissions to practice law, and recognitions that set him apart as a top personal injury lawyer:
Mr. Tario’s impressive legal credentials and extensive courtroom experience set him apart as a top personal injury lawyer. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Supreme Court for the State of Washington, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Federal District Courts for both the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington. These admissions reflect a high level of legal acumen and the ability to represent clients in some of the most prestigious and demanding courts in the country. In addition, Mr. Tario has successfully represented clients on a “pro hac vice” basis in multiple states, including Alaska, Oregon, and California, demonstrating the trust other jurisdictions place in his legal expertise.
Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Tario has shown a deep commitment to the legal profession. He has served as a judge pro tem, taught continuing legal education courses, and is an active member of several respected legal organizations, including the Washington State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Washington State Association for Justice, and the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington. This combination of practical legal skill, multi-jurisdictional experience, and professional leadership highlights Mr. Tario’s dedication to justice and underscores why he is considered a leader in the field of personal injury law.
Every year since 1997, Mr. Tario has earned a silver or gold Client Champion Award and a Distinguished Peer Rating for High Professional Achievement from Martindale-Hubbell. This rating signifies a very high rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. In 2014 he also earned the “Client Distinction Award” from Martindale-Hubbell and in May 2015, he was awarded “Top Rated Lawyer” for Litigation from Martindale-Hubbell. In addition:
- Mr. Tario is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is a select group of attorneys who have won million and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
- From Avvo, Michael has earned a “Superb” 10.0 rating for his legal services and Client’s Choice awards in 2010 and 2018.
- In December 2016, Mr. Tario received the Expert Network Distinguished Lawyer™ designation, which is only conferred upon the Top 3 percent of Lawyers in North America.
- In 2014, he was recognized as being one of the nation’s “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
- In 2013, he was ranked in the “Top Lawyers in Washington” for Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence by the Legal Network. This award is given to those who are recognized for excellence in quality of service; overall value; responsiveness; and communication ability based on actual client reviews.
- In 2007, the Bellingham Business Journal rated Mr. Tario as “The Best Attorney in Bellingham to Defend You in a Lawsuit”.
- In 2024, Mr. Tario received the bronze medal for Best Attorney in Whatcom County from Bellingham Alive.
When you’re searching for a qualified personal injury attorney, look for some of these admissions, memberships, and awards as they can help you choose the best possible injury lawyer to handle your case.
Seek the Help of a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Michael Tario has been fighting for the rights of injured people since 1979. He is a highly respected personal injury lawyer with many awards and memberships. As an experienced accident attorney, he will fight for the full compensation you deserve.
It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Our office serves people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
