If you’ve been hurt because of someone’s negligence — whether in a car accident, a slip or fall, or by a defective product — hiring a personal injury lawyer is a must.
A lawyer can handle your case, protect your rights, and help you get fair compensation. But not all personal injury attorneys are created equal — nor is every one of them best suited to handle your specific case. It pays to look for the right one for your needs.
Before you sign a contract or commit to legal representation, ask any lawyer you’re considering these five questions. The answers you get can help you decide.
1. What Is Your Experience With Cases Like Mine?
Personal injury law covers injuries from automobile accidents, dog bites, occupational accidents, medical malpractice, and more. So, you need to find a personal injury lawyer with experience helping clients in your shoes.
When speaking to a lawyer on your shortlist, ask them about how many similar cases they have handled and their success rate in obtaining positive settlements or verdicts.
A veteran personal injury lawyer will not only know how to evaluate how much compensation you should receive but also how to handle insurance adjusters, gather credible evidence, and construct a case that boosts your chances of success.
2. How Do You Structure Your Fees?
Most personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee arrangement. However, don’t assume this is the case. You need to ask. Any reputable lawyer will be upfront when detailing their fee structure and answering any questions about expenses.
Ensure you ask what percentage of your award or settlement the lawyer will get, and if there are extra fees or charges for expert witnesses and other things. You don’t want any nasty surprises when you get your bill — so ensure you get the nitty-gritty upfront.
3. Who Actually Will Work on My Case?
If you want to work with your personal injury lawyer and don’t want to deal with a lot of support staff, get the details during the consultation. Some lawyers rely on support staff to communicate with clients — after all, these lawyers spend a lot of time in court and working on cases. You need to know who you’ll be working with day in and day out.
An attorney who communicates with you and responds to your calls on time is more likely to keep you informed and aggressively pursue your case.
4. What Is My Case Worth and What Are the Challenges?
No attorney can guarantee a specific outcome. But an experienced personal injury lawyer will give you an educated estimate of what your case is worth based upon your injury, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
They must be honest with you regarding the merit of your case. For instance, if you don’t have a legal basis to pursue a claim, a reputable lawyer will tell you up front.
5. Do You Have Trial Experience?
Most personal injury cases settle out of court. There are others, however, that must proceed to court to receive a fair settlement. Your lawyer must be willing to go to trial with your case if your settlement offer is insufficient or liability is being denied by the insurance company.
Hiring a good personal injury lawyer is essential. By asking the right questions and mulling over the answers you get, you’ll be prepared to make a wise selection.
Remember that the right lawyer will have experience helping people in your shoes. They will understand how to build the sort of case that gets you a positive result. Getting injured can be life-changing, so you’ll want the compensation to deal with those challenges.
