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It is a fact of life that you never know when you might need a personal injury lawyer. But if you’re ever in an accident, or if you’re injured by someone else’s negligence, it is important to know what to do next.
When you’ve been injured in an accident, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. You want someone who will fight for your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
George Salinas knows what it is like to feel lost and frustrated by the lack of guidance, especially when you think it will never happen to you. It is why his law firm, George Salinas Injury Lawyers (GSIL), fights to ensure their clients’ voices are heard and their lives are restored.
From the beginning
George Salinas completed several legal internships during his time at the University of Texas School of Law, including with Judge Fred Biery at the Federal District Court of the Western District of Texas and with Chief Justice Alma Lopez at the 4th Court of Appeals of Texas. He also completed two clerkships with private law firms before serving as a clerk for the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Later, he became a Policy Analyst in the Texas Senate during the 79th Legislature.
Subsequently, Salinas worked for a law firm that represented corporations and insurance companies in personal injury cases throughout Texas. While he appreciated the legal challenge and experience, he realized his passion was to represent individuals whose lives had been forever impacted by the actions of others.
From that realization, Salinas joined a prominent personal injury law firm in San Antonio where he served as a trial lawyer, representing victims and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. During his tenure, Salinas handled numerous cases against insurance companies and corporations across Texas.
Firsthand experience
Salinas has been working in personal injury law for over 12 years and knows firsthand the challenges his clients face. He has been through the insurance process himself and understands how difficult it can be to get justice when you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one.
After getting injured in an auto accident himself, Salinas sought a lawyer to help him get compensation but found himself frustrated by the process. He wanted to help others in the same situation, so he decided to start his own firm and make things easier for everyone involved.
Salinas understands that every client deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As most law school grads will attest, law school doesn’t prepare for the emotional aspect of dealing with people. In personal injury law, it is about the individuals as a whole and their loss. This insight is vital to Salinas and a primary factor he looks for when scouting potential new hires for GSIL because the lawyers representing the firm, first and foremost, need to be able to empathize with their clients.
Accountability is key
Justice and integrity are two core values at GSIL, but for Salinas, accountability is key. Fortunately, the United States protects and allows people to take on billion-dollar companies in court if they’ve been wronged; however, on the flip side, Salinas recognizes that these bigger corporations don’t want to be held accountable.
For example, the McDonald’s Coffee case study is an example of a corporate entity not wanting to be held accountable. One of the jurors commented the case was about “callous disregard for the safety of the people.” Still, some consider the McDonald’s Coffee case to be a “frivolous lawsuit” and one that people want to sweep under the rug. This standoffish sentiment surrounding the case is exactly why Salinas stresses accountability as a key factor — it is through accountability that one can seek justice.
When looking for a personal injury lawyer, it is important to find a lawyer committed to justice and integrity, and understands the importance of accountability. More importantly, it is important to have someone on your side who understands the law and isn’t afraid to bring a case to court.
Lawyers who listen
Empathy isn’t frequently described as a normal emotion or “soft skill,” as Salinas points out, that people would use to describe lawyers. However, it is at the forefront of important traits that he looks for in his team, whether they’re lawyers, paralegals, receptionists, or anyone else who represents GSIL. His team shares the same core values and always make sure that they put the client’s needs and wants first, no matter the case.
Today, Salinas feels proud to be an advocate and voice for those who have been wronged and seeking justice through the legal system. He believes that the right to trial by jury is a fundamental aspect of this country’s foundation, and he has found his calling in empowering victims of personal injury and wrongful death to exercise this right.
