What Questions Should You Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Securing full and fair personal injury compensation can be tough. If you think that you can do it by yourself, unless you are a lawyer or are well-versed in the law, you are wrong.
No matter what your personal injury case is, you will need to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to sue for personal injury compensation and ensure all your rights and interests in settling negotiations with the insurance company. Before hiring one, though, there are various questions you should ask.
Remember that your lawyer will be someone you’ll work very closely with in your case to get your desired results. You must be comfortable with your lawyer and consider him or her as your trusted advisor. If you don’t have a clue what questions to ask, here are some that you should keep in mind:
Will You Be Able To Handle My Case?
The best lawyers are aware of their areas of expertise. They can only focus so much of their energy, expertise, and time to their craft. They also do not take on cases or clients they know will not get the attention they require. In any circumstances, make certain that your lawyer has the energy and time to get familiarised with your case and that they are ready to represent you in court.
in What Other Areas of Law Do You Specialise?
It is important to choose a lawyer who focuses on personal injury law. The reason why specialisation matters, in this case, is because lawyers who are experienced in personal injury law know the common defense tactics that are used by insurance companies. They also know how to negotiate in accordance with your needs and can navigate some complex litigation procedures.
The best lawyers are aware of their areas of expertise.
Have You Handled a Personal Injury Trial Before?
More often than not, personal injury cases settle without the need to go to trial and still provide the result you deserve. But, if your lawyer doesn’t have any trial experience, it’s a disadvantage to your personal injury case.
Lawyers who are willing and able to go to trials have the experience and leverage to push for the right settlement and if such settlement demands are not met, you and your lawyer believe that what’s being offered is unfair. In this case, your case needs to go to trial to get a fair and positive outcome. With an experienced lawyer’s help with your personal injury case, you can be assured that they will fight for your case until you get what you deserve.
How Often Will You Contact Me About My Case?
A huge red flag that you should look out for is if your lawyer sends an investigator or paralegal to your first consultation. You want to speak to the lawyer who will handle your case and not somebody from the law firm’s team. If your chosen lawyer does not communicate with you directly or often, it’s time to find another one who is more confident to communicate with you regarding your case and other concerns related to it.
How Much is the Contingency Fee?
This is one of the most important questions to ask, especially if you have accrued a lot of debt because of the injury you incurred. The majority of personal injury lawyers base their work on a contingency fee agreement. That means you only have to pay for the legal fees if they are able to win your case. The contingency fees vary by State but typically range from 33- 40% of the won compensation, but there are times that such fees can be lessened in particular situations. Read the retainer documents completely before you hire a lawyer and be wary of the law firms that offer contingency fees that are much lower than other law firms in your market.
What Are the Things You Need for My Case?
To achieve success with your case, your lawyer will need a lot of things from you. They need information on your medical expenses and wages you have lost from not being able to work. They may also require documentation of your doctor visits and treatment requirements. Your lawyer can also assist you when getting police reports, medical records, and some documents filed with the state or city.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
No attorney can provide you an exact amount of time when it comes to the resolution of your case. However, experienced attorneys through their past case experience and knowledgeable of the legal system may provide you an average time frame. But, it is essential to keep in mind that the timeline provided by your attorney may change significantly depending on how the case plays out.
Conclusion
While those above-mentioned questions are a good start to help you evaluate the experience and acumen of your personal injury attorney, the decision is still yours. Trust your instincts when evaluating your preferred attorney and if it does not feel right, look for another personal injury attorney who will meet your unique requirements and better fit your standards.
