Hiring a personal injury lawyer might seem difficult and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Lawyers go through intensive schooling and education to be able to represent clients competently. When you or a family member has been injured, hiring a lawyer might be the last thing on your mind. A lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve so that you aren’t drowning in hospital bills as a result of a personal injury accident. Remember, lawyers exist to make your life easier.
Once you meet with a personal injury lawyer, it’s important to ask questions so that you are able to understand your options, the lawyer’s background, and what you’re going to do moving forward. Here are some questions to ask a potential personal injury attorney:
1. How long have you been practicing law?
Although this shouldn’t necessarily determine whether or not you hire a personal injury attorney, it’s a good question to ask. You want to make sure that the lawyer is knowledgeable on the topic of law and is dedicated to the task at hand.
2. How long have you been practicing this specific type of law?
Some people prefer experience and others don’t mind a hard-working beginner.
3. How many cases do you typically handle at a time?
If a personal injury lawyer takes on too many cases at once, your case might not be handled competently. It’s always good to know how many cases a lawyer works on at a time so that you can decide if he or she has the necessary amount of time to effectively help you win your case.
4. What kind of strategies do you typically use?
This is a great question to ask so that you understand the methods that an individual lawyer will use in your case moving forward. Some personal injury lawyers are extremely aggressive, and others are patient, yet no less successful. It’s up to you to decide which strategies work best.
5. Do I have a case?
Usually, the personal injury lawyer will let you know after some research as to whether or not you have a case. But, feel free to ask just in case they already know the answer.
6. Can I talk about my case with my friends and family?
Most personal injury lawyers will typically tell you not to discuss the matters of your case, but asking the lawyer directly will help you get more in-depth details so that you understand the nature of speaking about an ongoing case matter.
7. Have you ever been reported for misconduct or malpractice?
Although uncomfortable, it’s important to ask this to the personal injury lawyer you’re interviewing so that you know if he or she has been in trouble in the past and the reasons it’s for. You want to make sure you’re hiring someone with integrity and respect for the legal profession.
8. Have you ever had a case that was similar to mine?
You most likely want to know if the personal injury attorney has any similar experience in his or her past that will help you win your case. Some people only want experienced attorneys. Others are okay with allowing new attorneys to work on their case. It’s up to you, but you should be able to make the choice yourself.
9. How does pricing work?
Don’t forget to ask this question. Even if you forget to ask, it’s the attorney’s responsibility to discuss the breakdown of pricing with you. You need to know exactly what you’ll be paying for and how much your personal injury lawyer gets if he or she wins the case for you.
10. Do I pay you if I lose my case?
Although the answer is usually the same (no), it’s important to discuss this with a personal injury lawyer before hiring.
11. Am I responsible for any costs at all?
This differs from time to time, so it’s important to ask your personal injury lawyer up-front.
12. Can I contact you whenever I want?
Communication is a huge topic of conversation between you and your future personal injury lawyer. You need to set boundaries and discuss different methods of contact so that you are both clear and comfortable moving forward.
13. Do you have any long holidays coming up? Or breaks in work?
If the personal injury lawyer has a long vacation coming up and he or she won’t be in the office for a long period of time, that may make a difference to you when you’re hiring him or her. If you want to hire someone that has no interruptions in their schedule, ask this question just to be sure.
14. How do you think I should move forward?
You want to know your personal injury lawyer’s professional opinion. This is what they do for a living! Don’t be afraid to ask.
15. Do I have to go to trial?
If you don’t want to go to trial, be sure to express your concerns to the personal injury lawyer you’re interviewing. Many people prefer settling out of court because it is much less stressful.
16. How long will my case take?
Some personal injury cases can take years depending on the severity of the case and its circumstances. Ask the lawyer the typical timeline for a case like yours.
17. Who would be working on my case?
It’s important to know who will be handling your personal information. Will there be other attorneys in the firm working on your case? Or only the personal injury lawyer you’re interviewing? Get all the information you need to feel comfortable.
18. How much time will you devote to my case?
You want to be sure that your future personal injury lawyer doesn’t take on too many cases at once and that he or she has enough time and staff to devote to your case individually.
19. Where do we go from here?
Establish whether or not you want to hire this specific personal injury attorney and get it in writing.
20. What is the likely outcome of my case?
A personal injury attorney’s professional opinion is necessary to have. After all, you’re there because this is the very thing you are most interested in knowing.
Discuss Your Case With An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve suffered from an injury that has an impact on your life, you’ll want to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer and their team. At Porcaro Law, we will ensure you’re putting your best foot forward to get the settlement you deserve. A car accident can be a frightening experience. Most people do not know how much, if any compensation they are entitled to after they have been in an accident. With Porcaro Law Group by your side, you will feel confident knowing that your rights are protected and the responsible parties are held liable for their actions.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident or want to speak with a personal injury attorney, contact us today for a free consultation.
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