Most personal injury lawyers offer victims and their families a free consultation. Knowing what to ask during this consultation is crucial for ensuring you choose the best attorney and law firm to handle your case. Asking these questions should provide valuable insights into the attorney’s experience, approach, and suitability for your case. In addition, don’t forget to make a list of questions specific to your case and your circumstances.
What Questions Should I Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer During Our Initial Conversation?
When hiring a personal injury attorney to handle your case, asking the right questions is essential. You want to get a strong understanding of their experience and approach to ensure they are the right fit for you.How Long Have You Been Practicing Personal Injury Law?
There is no correct or incorrect answer to this question. You want someone who focuses their attention on personal injury law and has the experience to win your case. A young lawyer with many personal injury cases won may serve you better than someone with 30 years of experience in another area of law. Generally, you will want to choose someone who is not a Jack of all trades but who primarily handles cases similar to yours.Have You Handled Cases Like Mine Before? If So, Can You Share the Outcomes?
Again, you want to know if the lawyer has experience with similar cases. They must be familiar with the applicable laws and know how to navigate the process successfully. Hiring a lawyer who has won similar cases should give you peace of mind that your case is in good hands.Can You Provide References or Testimonials From Past Clients?
Lawyers often provide testimonials from previous clients or have references they can give you. This allows you to learn what others thought about the services, representation, and legal advice they received from the firm.What Is Your Approach to Handling Cases Like Mine?
You likely already have a good idea of what happened to cause your injuries and how you hope to get justice. You want to choose a lawyer whose approach is similar to yours. If you hope to avoid a lawsuit and trial, you do not want to choose a lawyer who often takes cases to court.Will You Personally Handle My Case, or Will It Be Passed on to Another Attorney or Staff Member?
You want to speak to the attorney who will handle your personal injury case when possible. Some firms have one lawyer handle the consultation, and then all future contact is with a less-experienced attorney or another staff member.
A firm that treats your case with the respect and attention it deserves will ensure you talk to the lawyer who will manage it.
How Do You Communicate With Your Clients? Can I Expect Regular Updates on My Case?
You want to ensure you understand the firm’s communication style, how you will receive case updates, and how often. This varies widely, and there is no correct way to handle it. However, someone familiar with your case should help when you have questions or concerns.What Are Your Fees, and How Are They Structured? Do You Work on a Contingency Fee Basis?
Most personal injury lawyers should work on a contingency fee basis. This fee structure does not ask for any upfront payments. Instead, the attorney’s fees are a percentage of the money recovered in the case. The rate can vary between firms and may depend on the circumstances, such as if the case will likely go to trial.What Expenses Should I Expect to Incur Throughout the Process, and How Are They Handled?
Many attorneys use firm resources to cover the expenses during a case. However, how these are later resolved can vary. Sometimes, they come from the contingency fees paid. Other firms charge the client for them directly. Discussing these expenses is crucial so you understand how much your case might cost.Do You Have Experience Negotiating Settlements With Insurance Companies?
Most personal injury cases settle without going to trial. This is possible because insurance carriers are willing to negotiate a fair settlement both parties can agree on. Because so many injury cases require this step, you want an attorney on your side who has knowledge and experience negotiating settlements with insurance companies.If My Case Goes to Trial, Do You Have Trial Experience? Are You Comfortable Representing Me in Court?
Not all cases settle during negotiations or mediation. Some require taking a personal injury lawsuit to trial and presenting strong evidence to support a payout. Knowing how to navigate the legal process and manage the case in the courtroom is vital for a positive outcome. When attorneys settle cases frequently, they might lack the courtroom experience to handle your case as effectively as a trial lawyer would.How Long Do You Expect My Case to Take? What Factors Could Affect the Timeline?
No attorney should promise you a quick resolution or try to put a timeline on your case during your initial consultation. However, they can offer their opinion on whether the case might take longer because of its complexity. They can also outline several factors that could make it more difficult to settle your case quickly, such as issues with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier or disputed case facts.What Potential Outcomes Can I Realistically Expect for My Case?
It is crucial to know what to expect—and what your attorney believes they can accomplish—for your case. You want a lawyer who understands your goals and aims to get justice for you. This usually involves holding the at-fault party accountable and recovering fair compensation. Your lawyer will not put a value on your case at this point, but will need to know whether they believe they can get a fair payout.How Will You Assess the Value of My Case?
Valuing your recoverable damages is one of the most challenging parts of handling a personal injury case. While your attorney must document your current expenses and losses, this paperwork only tells part of the story. They should also estimate your future expenses by working with experts and determine a fair value for your non-economic losses like pain and suffering.Will You Handle All Aspects of My Case?
You want a personal injury lawyer willing to handle your case from start to finish. You should be focused on your treatment and healing rather than doing the legwork on your insurance claim or civil lawsuit. Ask the attorney about your role in building the case and what tasks you should expect their office to manage.What Is Your Philosophy on Client Representation?
Many law firms claim to treat clients like family, but what does this really mean? You want a lawyer who will be familiar with the facts of your case and know your name when you call. Your case deserves as much attention as someone whose case might be worth more or more complex. Look for answers that reflect this attitude.Can You Explain the Strengths and Weaknesses of My Case as You See Them?
Each case has its own facts. No two cases are alike. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can assess your case during your consultation and determine its strengths and weaknesses based on the information you provide. This could help you better understand the potential outcome of your case, the lawyer’s approach, and more.Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle My Case?
Yes. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can significantly improve your chances of winning your case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve based on your injuries and losses.
Some benefits of hiring a lawyer to manage your personal injury case include:
- Legal Knowledge: Personal injury lawyers have in-depth knowledge of and experience with relevant statutes, case law, and legal procedures. They understand the complexities of personal injury cases and provide valuable guidance throughout the legal process.
- Investigation Experience: Personal injury law firms have the resources and experience to conduct thorough investigations. They can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to build a strong case on your behalf. They know how to document negligence and show liability, developing compelling arguments for insurance adjusters, judges, and juries.
- Legal Advocacy: Your lawyer will serve as your advocate, representing your best interests in negotiations. They will manage all communication about your case with insurance companies, opposing attorneys, judges, and jurors. They will fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
- Negotiation Skills: Personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators who know how to effectively communicate with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys. They can negotiate settlements and help you avoid the pitfalls of accepting lowball offers.
- Courtroom Experience: Having a lawyer with trial experience is invaluable if your case goes to trial. They can present your case persuasively to a judge and jury, cross-examine witnesses, and argue on your behalf to seek a favorable verdict.
- Navigating the Legal Process: Personal injury cases involve various legal complexities, including identifying statutes of limitations, preserving evidence, and following strict procedural rules. A lawyer can guide you through these complexities and ensure you meet all requirements to proceed with each step of your case.
- Peace of Mind: Dealing with treatment, rehabilitation, and healing after an accident or injury can be overwhelming. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you can have peace of mind knowing that a legal professional is handling your case and advocating for your rights, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident or injury can help protect your legal rights, maximize your chances of obtaining fair compensation, and ensure you receive the support and guidance you need. We recommend contacting our office for a free consultation as soon as your injuries allow. We meet with people in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and in their homes. We know this is a challenging time, but this is all the more reason why you want someone on your side fighting for you as soon as possible. Statutes of limitations apply to these cases, but these are not the most pressing deadlines for our clients. Instead, we must get started quickly to protect their rights and develop the most robust case possible to support their payout. Insurance carriers often contact victims within a few days or weeks of an accident, and talking to them without an attorney could jeopardize your compensation. At the same time, many types of evidence are time-sensitive. Eyewitness testimony, video of the incident, and other crucial evidence might be unavailable later if we do not act to preserve it quickly.Discuss Your Personal Injury Case With Our Team for Free
