Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
Finding a lawyer is one of the most important actions while securing the compensation that you deserve and the justice that you want. However with the so many lawyers available within your reach how do you know with confidence that a particular lawyer is a good fit for your case? The answer is rather simple: you ask the right questions.
When it comes to clients that want to get a more personal touch during their case, lawyers that are refining their clientele, students doing POL on personal injury law representatives or even injury lawyers being exposed, this article aims to explain how to best go about the essentials one should ask while being involved in a personal case.
Bringing the Importance of Questions into Perspective
The lawyer-client relationship is one which requires faith, communication and knowledge of the matter. With carefully crafted questions, you can determine the lawyer’s level of experience, the history of the firm, the percentage of won cases, and their plan for yours. This process allows you to choose wisely and makes sure that your case is in the right hands.
Here is a list of 15 important questions you should consider asking your lawyer during your first meeting to help you make an informed decision and feel good about your choice in representation.
- Do You Practice Personal Injury Law Exclusively?
Within the wide umbrella of personal injury law, there are various branches such as negligence that arises in the middle of a car accident, patients facing medical/dental negligence, injuring employees while being inside a work environment, among many others.
Hiring a lawyer who specializes ensures they have in-depth knowledge of the legal nuances in this field.
Why it matters: Specialists are typically more equipped to handle cases than general practitioners. They are familiar with industry trends, local laws, and strategies that could make or break your case.
- How Many Cases Like Mine Have You Handled?
While every case is different, it is beneficial to look for an attorney who has previously dealt with cases such as yours. For instance, say your injury results from a motorcycle crash. Then a lawyer with relevant experience should be of great benefit.
- What Are Your Success Rates?
A good solicitor is one who has a reliable track record and is willing to show it so long as you ask for it. From all the settlements and verdicts they won, what percentage did the winning cases constitute?
Why it matters: A solid success rate indicates that the lawyer knows how to handle cases efficiently and advocate well on behalf of their clients.
- Who Will Handle My Case?
In some instances, the lawyer you consulted with, is not the one who is going to work on your case; It is also important for you to determine whether this lawyer is going to assign it to a junior attorney or to a paralegal.
Pro tip: Meet the team involved in your case and ensure as much communication as possible to foster accountability.
- What’s Your Strategy for Communication?
Communication is important so ensure that you discuss the details on how many updates will be done, and also detail on who will be in charge when reaching our to you.
- What Are the Fees That I Would Be Required to Pay?
A majority of those that work in personal injury deals are only paid through contingency fees meaning that they are only paid when you get a win over the case; however it is essential to know what is the cut percentage they will be taking among other fees that they charge.
- Could You Let Me Know the Estimated Value of My Case?
As it is known, lawyers can at no cost guarantee any chances of success; however a professional lawyer will aim to give you some chances through comparing the facts of other similar cases.
- How Much Time Do You Anticipate My Case Will Take?
Different legal procedures take varying amounts of time to solve fully; having an idea on the duration of the case will aid in time management while ensuring you have the buffer needed for all such activities.
What to look for: A lawyer who says that they will be able to solve it within a couple of days should raise a red flag while a lawyer who says that it can take a while is likely being realistic.
- Have You Had Any Trial Experience?
Not all cases are closely captured. In the case that your case is sued in the court be sure that the lawyer that is working on your case has enough experience talking about it in front of a jury.
- Am I Allowed To Ask What My Role In The Case Would Be?
Whenever working on the case, make sure to ask how you can streamline the process from your side by either sending over necessary documents, or showing up to the hearing, or assisting in the settlement finalization meetings.
It is important to understand what your role and obligations are.
- What is your approach in Managing Negotiations?
If you find yourself embroiled in a personal injury dispute, you will be scouting for insurance companies and that would be an exhausting negotiation. Good negotiators can help try and fetch you a decent amount in compensation.
Red flag: If due to some reason, the lawyer encourages you to settle immediately, and there is no regard for any aftereffects then you may wish to check elsewhere.
- Are You Familiar with Local Laws?
Each state has personal injury laws that do not exist in other states. So, if a disability lawyer in the region understands the laws well, survival would be much easier.
- Can You Provide References?
Make sure to request testimonials or rather references and preferably from his past clients. This is a good way to evaluate this lawyer and determine whether he is up to the task.
- How Are Contingency Fees Dealt With?
However, contingency fees mean you don’t pay upfront and don’t have to worry about that part. What specific percentage are they entitled to after the case is completed? The most critical aspect is for costs other than the miscellaneous fee.
- How Often Do You Work On Individual Cases?
A lawyer with too many pending cases might not have the time to devote to yours, or if they do, it will be limited. Ensure your lawyer has the resources to give your case the attention it deserves.
Making an Informed Decision
It is important to realize that all the efforts made to find an appropriate personal injury lawyer will be well worth it in the end.
Stay active, be willing to formulate the aforementioned questions and follow your intuition during your first meeting.
