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86.7% of your prospects use Google to find a lawyer.
Imagine if they saw your PI firm first. Enter: Google's Local Services Ads (LSAs). These appear at the very top of the search page, even above traditional PPC and Google search results!
With LSAs, you could pay around $50 to $200 per valid lead, and convert at 15% to 30% which is higher than pay-per-click ads.
As you can probably tell, LSAs give you faster access to high-value cases, and honestly, why would you say no to that?
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about Google Local Services Ads for personal injury lawyers. Let's go!
Key Takeaways:
- What LSAs are and how they help PI firms get more cases.
- Which types of PI cases usually perform best with LSAs.
- How to set up LSAs so you only pay for quality leads.
- A quick, easy guide to launch LSAs the right way.
- The numbers you should track to make sure your LSAs are working.
What Are Local Services Ads for Personal Injury Lawyers?
Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) are a pay-per-lead advertising format from Google, designed to connect injury victims in your area directly with your law practice.

They show your legal firm above traditional Google Ads, Local Search Ads, and organic search results — giving you immediate visibility right when someone searches for a PI lawyer.
Plus, LSAs pay off! Only 11% of consumers prefer clicking PPC ads, while 29% click LSAs — nearly 3× more!
And unlike standard PPC, where you pay for clicks, you pay only when someone calls or messages your firm through your LSA.
Why LSAs Matter for PI Firms Specifically
When you’re a personal injury attorney, two things happen: people search urgently, and the competition is fierce! That’s exactly why Google Local Services Ads for personal injury lawyers can be a game-changer.
- Instant visibility. LSAs appear at the very top of search results for service-based queries like “car accident lawyer [city]” or “slip-and-fall attorney near me". Your personal injury law firm could be the first thing they see — not buried on page 2 or hidden beneath tons of ads.
- Better cost control in a high-stakes market. According to one benchmark of PI campaigns, the average cost per lead (CPL) for LSAs hit about $378 per lead — lower than traditional Google Search ads in the same category ($442) for the same study.
- While not cheap, the pay-per-lead model means you’re only paying when someone actually contacts your firm.
- Built-in quality and intent. LSAs are designed for consumers who are ready to act. Because law firms must go through verification and earn the Google Screened badge, prospective clients gain a higher level of trust before they call. They’re more likely to be serious about hiring.
- Competition is intense — but so is the reward. The cost of acquiring a lead in PI is among the highest of all practice areas because the potential case values are huge. One dataset showed that for auto accidents, the average CPL was $391, for more complex cases like medical malpractice, it was $512.
- If you can capture those highly qualified leads, you’re playing in a league where one signed case can pay for years of marketing.
For legal professionals, LSAs offer a way to attract qualified leads a LOT faster. Plus, you pay only when a potential client calls your legal services intake. That translates to a faster trajectory to signed cases and a better ROI over time.
Practice Areas Within PI That Perform Best in LSAs
In the legal industry, some types of injury cases drive better calls through LSAs than others. Here are the PI case types that typically perform the strongest:
- Motor vehicle accidents
Car, truck, motorcycle, and rideshare crashes are some of the most common and urgent searches. People want help immediately, which makes them a great fit for LSAs. - Premises liability
Slip-and-fall injuries and negligent security cases often drive fast, local searches like “injury lawyer near me,” making LSAs a solid traffic driver. - Dog bites and animal attacks
These cases tend to be highly emotional, and callers are often ready to take action right away — perfect for pay-per-lead. - Wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
These are lower volume but higher value. When they do come in through LSAs, the stakes — and ROI — are much higher.
If you're trying to figure out whether you should run LSAs, follow this rule of thumb: LSAs are ideal for the most urgent case types, right when people are actively looking for a lawyer to call.
If you'd like to generate leads, particularly in any of the above niches, LSAs are a strong bet!
Targeting, Budgeting, and Lead Quality Control
With legal marketing LSAs, be cautious of the lead quality.
Some callers are a perfect fit — a serious car crash or catastrophic injury in your city. Others… not so much! You’ll get the occasional non-PI customer inquiry, wrong jurisdiction, spam call, or someone who just wants general legal advice.
To avoid junk leads, focus on smart targeting and ad budget controls. With LSAs, you can:
- Select the specific PI case types you want
- Define your exact service radius or zip codes
- Pause or adjust when your workload shifts
- Rate leads so Google’s system learns and filters better
And if a bad lead slips through, Google’s automated system may credit your account for irrelevant leads.
How to Create Google Local Service Ads for Personal Injury Lawyers
Setting up LSAs is pretty straightforward, but getting them fully optimized takes expertise. Here’s the quick version of what you’ll need to do:
- Sign in to your Google Local Services Ads account
- Choose “Personal Injury” as your practice area and select the case types you want
- Enter your business address or business location (this verifies where clients can reach you)
- Set your service areas — cities or ZIP codes where you take PI cases
- Confirm your business hours so Google knows when to send you calls
- Submit your license and insurance info for Google screening
- Add a main phone number and confirm how you want to receive leads
- Upload photos and gather reviews to build trust and ranking power
- Set your weekly budget and turn on lead delivery
- Track and rate leads — intake speed helps you appear higher
Want the full walkthrough with screenshots and ranking tips? Check out our complete guide: Local Service Ads for Lawyers
Metrics That Matter for PI
Are your LSAs paying off? Let's find out. Begin by tracking these key performance metrics:
- Lead-to-intake connect rate
How many incoming leads you actually speak with — fast responses land the best cases. - Qualified lead rate
The percentage of highly qualified leads that fit your case criteria (injury type, jurisdiction, liability). - Signed retainer rate + cost per signed case
The real measure of ROI — not just leads, but the cases that convert into revenue. - Recovered spend / invalid lead credits
How much money you get back from wrong numbers, spam, or irrelevant calls. - Review velocity + average rating
Faster reviews improve ranking and caller trust, both major signals for LSAs. - Response time + missed-call rate
How quickly your intake picks up, and how often calls are missed. Missing calls = missing money.

Be sure to add this to your law firm's marketing strategy! Without tracking, you'll have no way to maximize lead quality and have your LSAs pay you back.







