After an injury, you deserve compensation for all your medical bills, missed work, pain, and suffering. Yet the insurance companies will do anything they can to get out of paying your full amount of damages. They will delay your payments, deny your claim, and try to run out the statute of limitations.
The best way to beat them is to hire a personal injury attorney. The only problem is that not all personal injury attorneys are the same. With so many scammers out there, how do you know which local attorney to choose?
Not sure how to choose the best personal injury case? Read these questions for inspiration.
What is Your Experience in Handling Personal Injury Cases?
Ask if they have handled cases in a similar situation and what the outcome of those cases was. Ask them to explain the process of a personal injury case and how they approach them. Inquire about the length of time they have been practicing law and specifically ask about their experience with personal injury cases.
Ask them about their past record of success in obtaining settlements. Ask how they will handle communication with the client and if they take on a certain amount of cases at a time, so their attention won’t be divided. Additionally, ask questions about their fee structure and if they offer a free initial consultation. Make sure you take the time to find the best car accident lawyer for you. Start today by asking the right questions.
Have You Handled Cases Similar to Mine Before?
It’s important to ask your potential personal injury attorney if they have handled similar cases to yours before you make the decision to hire them. If they have, that means they have a wealth of experience under their belt and should be able to competently handle the legal details of your case.
However, if they have never handled a case like yours before, you may want to continue with your search for another attorney who has more familiarity with the type of case you are dealing with. This is particularly important for more complicated cases with more difficult legal issues.
What is Your Success Rate in Settling Personal Injury Cases?
Knowing a potential attorney’s track record can help you determine if they have the knowledge and expertise that is needed to secure a favorable outcome. Ask how long they have been practicing personal injury law, how many personal injury cases they have handled, and what their success rate is in getting those cases settled.
Inquire what specific strategies they might use to handle your case, and how long the process might take to reach a favorable settlement. It is also important to ask if they have successfully settled similar cases in the same court jurisdiction and to gain a better understanding of their overall experience.
How do you Charge for Your Services?
It is important to ask questions in order to get a clear picture of how they charge for their services. Some attorneys work on a contingency basis, where they only get paid if they win the case. Others bill by the hour and will require a retainer to cover their fees.
You should ask your prospective attorney what type of fee arrangement they offer, what tasks their fee covers, and if there is any fee penalty for withdrawing from the case. Ask if the fee is a flat rate or if it is based on the case outcome. Finally, inquire about any additional fees such as court costs, expert witness fees, and document production fees.
Will I be Responsible for Any Expenses Related to the Case?
When you are interviewing potential attorneys, it is important to ask the right questions, starting with one about the costs and fees related to the case. Is the attorney paid by the hour? Are there any additional costs involved in taking your case? What, if any, expenses the client is personally responsible for?
It is important to understand these expenses upfront. You should also ask how often the attorney will contact you to update you on the progress of your case and if you will be charged for those contacts. Lastly, do not be afraid to inquire if the attorney has ever been disciplined by the bar or had any grievances filed against them in the past.
How Long do you Think it Will Take to Resolve My Case?
Resolution times vary widely depending on a variety of factors, and an experienced attorney can give you a better idea of how long to expect it to take. Ask the attorney for an estimated timeline for the case and what specific factors could affect it. It’s also important to ask about the attorney’s approach to resolving the case.
Will they actively seek to settle outside of court or take the time to analyze all the facts and advocate on your behalf if necessary? Ultimately, their experience and advice should give you an idea of how long it will take, but make sure to ask about the various timelines and approaches for resolution.
How Will You Communicate with Me About the Progress of My Case?
One important question to consider is how they plan to communicate with you regarding the progress of your case. It’s essential to have constant and consistent communication so that you have a clear understanding of what to expect and what’s going on with your case.
Make sure to find out if they’re willing to answer all your questions and provide regular updates, whether that be through phone calls, emails, or both.
What is Your Strategy for Negotiating a Settlement or Winning a Trial?
This is maybe one of the most important questions you can ask. Knowing their strategy will be a good indication of how strongly they believe your case has potential. It is also a good indication of the approach they will take in representing you, as well as what you could expect from them in terms of outcomes.
Choosing the Right Personal Injury Attorney
It’s important to be informed and feel confident when choosing a personal injury attorney. Asking the right questions before making your decision can help you make the best choice for your particular situation. Start by researching and asking important questions, and learn more about potential attorneys to make the most informed decision.
