If you’re an injury lawyer, you know that finding clients can be a real challenge.
Unlike other areas of law, your potential clients can come from anywhere, at any time. After all, accidents and injuries don’t discriminate based on demographics.
So, how do you effectively market your services and reach those who need your help the most?
The answer lies in understanding the journey your potential clients take from the moment they get hurt to the time they decide to hire a law firm.
At WEBRIS, we’ve been helping injury and accident law firms generate a steady stream of leads for over a decade. We’ve collected extensive data on how people search for and select legal representation after an injury.
In this post, I’m going to share those insights with you.
By the end of this article, you will….
- Have a clear understanding of the five-stage process potential clients go through when seeking an injury lawyer
- Know how to leverage this knowledge to dramatically reduce your marketing expenses while increasing your lead generation performance.
Let’s dive in.
Stage #1: The Accident or Injury Occurs
The journey begins when someone gets hurt. But here’s the thing: most people don’t immediately seek legal help after an accident or injury. In fact, according to a survey commissioned by the Legal Services Board and Law Society, only 30% of people with legal issues seek formal advice, and of those, just over half go to a lawyer. This means that the other 70% are not actively looking for a lawyer during this stage.
There could be several reasons for this:
- Shame or fear of being ostracized by co-workers (especially for workplace injuries)
- Lack of understanding about their legal options
- Expecting insurance or employers to cover the costs
- Fear of losing their job
- Perceived toughness or resilience
- Lack of knowledge about the legal process
Interestingly, our data shows that friends and family play the most significant role in convincing someone to seek legal help. This is usually the catalyst that kicks off the search process.
Stage #2: The Recall Process
Many injury law firms believe that the recall process is where they get most of their clients. They invest heavily in billboards, radio ads, and other “top of mind” marketing tactics, thinking that people will remember their catchy jingle or memorable phone number when they need legal help.
But here’s the truth: the recall process is not nearly as impactful as you might think.
Our studies show that while people are generally aware that there are many law firms to choose from, their ability to recall specific names is low. So, unless you’re a household name like Morgan & Morgan, relying on the recall process alone won’t bring in a consistent stream of leads.
In fact, the entire recall process lasts less than a week once someone decides to seek legal help. If a potential client doesn’t have a referral or a specific firm in mind, they’ll most likely turn to Google to begin their search.
Stage #3: The Discovery Process
This is where the real action happens. Once a potential client decides to find a law firm, they start their search using the sources most readily available to them.
Google is the predominant starting point, but YouTube is increasingly used for secondary searches. Prospects view video content as highly effective in helping them learn about and evaluate potential law firms.
Creating engaging, informative video content is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself during the discovery process. It allows potential clients to get a sense of your personality, expertise, and approach before ever picking up the phone.
Stage #4: The Selection Process
After gathering information from search engines and online videos, prospects move into the selection phase. This is where they narrow down their choices and decide which law firm to contact.
Two key factors come into play during the selection process:
- Search engine rankings
- Reviews and reputation
When it comes to search rankings, the top spots get the lion’s share of the leads. If you’re not in one of the top three positions for relevant search terms, you’re missing out on a significant number of potential clients.
Reviews and reputation also play a critical role in the selection process. Prospects want to feel confident that they’re choosing a law firm with a track record of success and satisfied clients. The more positive reviews and testimonials you have, the more likely you are to win their business.
Stage #5: Case Resolution
Once a prospect selects a law firm and becomes a client, the legal process begins. The case is eventually resolved through a settlement or trial, and the client receives their compensation.
Interestingly, our private survey revealed that most people cannot recall the name of the law firm they worked with after their case is resolved. They might remember their individual attorney’s name, but the firm itself doesn’t stick in their memory.
This finding reinforces the notion that investing heavily in “top of mind” marketing tactics like billboards may not provide the best return on investment. If clients can’t even remember your firm’s name after you’ve won their case, how likely are they to think of you during the recall process?
Putting It All Together
Now that you understand the five stages of the injury law firm selection process, let’s talk about how you can use this information to optimize your marketing efforts and generate more high-quality leads.
Focus on the Discovery Process
Since most of your potential clients will find you through online searches, it’s crucial to have a strong presence in the discovery process. This means:
- Investing in search engine optimization (SEO) to rank at the top of Google for relevant keywords
- Creating valuable, engaging video content for YouTube and other video platforms
- Leveraging social media to build brand awareness and connect with potential clients
By focusing your efforts on the channels where prospects are actively searching for legal help, you’ll be better positioned to capture their attention and stand out from the competition.
Prioritize Reviews and Reputation Management
Given the importance of reviews and reputation in the selection process, it’s essential to actively manage your online presence. This includes:
- Consistently asking satisfied clients to leave reviews on Google, Avvo, and other relevant platforms
- Responding promptly and professionally to all reviews, both positive and negative
- Monitoring your online reputation and addressing any potential issues or concerns
By building a strong, positive online reputation, you’ll make it easier for prospects to trust your firm and feel confident in their decision to hire you.
Invest in Intake and Lead Nurturing
Once a potential client reaches out to your firm, the intake process becomes critical. Our data shows that the first impression with a law firm is viewed as essential in deciding which firm to hire.
To make the most of every lead, you need to have a well-trained, empathetic intake team that can:
- Answer calls promptly and professionally
- Listen actively to understand the caller’s needs and concerns
- Provide helpful, relevant information about the legal process and your firm’s services
- Schedule consultations with attorneys when appropriate
In addition to a strong intake process, it’s important to have a lead nurturing system in place. Not every prospect will be ready to hire an attorney right away. By staying in touch through targeted email campaigns, educational content, and personalized follow-up, you can build trust and stay top-of-mind until they’re ready to move forward.
The Bottom Line
Generating a consistent stream of high-quality leads for your injury law firm doesn’t have to be a mystery. By understanding the five stages of the client selection process and tailoring your marketing efforts accordingly, you can attract more of your ideal clients while reducing your overall marketing expenses.
At WEBRIS, we specialize in helping injury and accident law firms create comprehensive, data-driven marketing strategies that deliver real results. If you’re ready to take your lead generation to the next level, we’d love to chat.
Book a call with our team today, and let’s discuss how we can put our expertise to work for your firm. Together, we can develop a customized plan to help you stand out in a competitive market, connect with more potential clients, and ultimately grow your practice.
