What should I ask my potential personal injury lawyer?
If you have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you will need legal representation by the best. After all, your lawyer will prove vital in successfully pursuing your legal interests. It can be quite difficult to choose an attorney to represent you in your personal injury case. There are many lawyers to select from and your initial search may seem simply overwhelming. It is important to take a step back and follow some simple steps to first refine your possible lawyer list, then vet your potential attorney’s with pertinent questions.
Create a List of Potential Personal Injury Lawyers
The first step to choosing your personal injury lawyer involves creating a list of lawyers in your area. You have several options at your disposal to identify some possible attorneys. Consider asking friends and relatives if they have had a positive experience with anyone in the area. Use the internet and read reviews along with the content on your potential lawyer’s website. You should have no trouble selecting a few attorneys that look like they could be a good fit for you.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Personal Injury Attorney
With your list generated, now is the time to continue your research. Call and set up consultations, either over the phone or in person, with your top potential attorneys. During your consultation, probe your attorney on some things that matter to you, including:
- How much experience do you have handling personal injury cases like mine?
Experience is a critical asset for a personal injury lawyer. You will want to find out how many years of experience your lawyer has working on cases in a field similar to yours. While this is not to say that a newer lawyer would be unable to successfully represent you, in general more experience equates to a greater understanding of pertinent law, courtroom experience, and skills in negotiating a settlement. - What is your fee arrangement?
Most personal injury lawyers will take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that usually there will be no or limited fees for your attorney’s services until the point that your lawyer finds success. Once your lawyer secures a recovery, he or she will receive an agreed upon percentage of the amount your gained. You will want to find out whether your attorney accepts contingency cases and, if so, at what percentage. Also probe as to whether you will need to cover certain upfront fees, like filing fees. - Do you value client communication?
Injured clients typically want to know that they will have access to their lawyer when necessary. You will likely have questions and want to provide input throughout the litigation process. Ask your potential lawyer how they can reach you and whether they welcome questions and the like from clients.
Posted in: Personal Injury