Are you in need of a personal injury lawyer?
Being injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, can be costly and stressful. It’s only fair that you get the compensation you deserve. But to do that, you need the right representation on your side. If you’ve never hired an injury lawyer before, it can be hard to find the right one for your needs.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for these 9 questions to ask to get the right personal injury lawyer for you.
- Do They Have Experience With Your Case Type?
As with any profession, working with someone who specializes will get better results. You want to make sure the lawyer has experience in personal injuries. Even better, they should have experience with case details like your own.
Make sure you ask specific questions like:
- How many injury cases have they handled?
- How do they approach these cases?
- Where any cases like yours and how many?
- What were the outcomes of those (win, lose, settlement, etc.)?
Remember, each case is unique, and even if a case like yours won, it doesn’t mean yours will. But past performance gives you a starting point when hiring a lawyer.
- How Much is My Case Worth?
No one will be able to predict the exact amount you’ll get in compensation. As we know, each case is unique but a good lawyer should be able to provide a rough estimate figure.
You can ask them to back this up with similar cases they had in the past. If someone is promising you an exact amount, that’s a red flag. There are too many varying factors at this stage.
- Who Will Be Your Case Handler?
Most of the time, the lawyer you meet with won’t be the one who manages your case. This is especially true in larger firms, where senior partners handle client intake. They then hand the clients over to more junior attorneys.
While many of the junior attorneys and paralegals are more than qualified for your case, it can be a shock. There is peace of mind that comes from knowing someone senior is handling your case.
It’s also nice to know who your point of contact will be for updates and questions. This is one of the most important questions to ask a lawyer before hiring.
- When Will Work on Your Case Start?
Some lawyers can sign you up, but ignore your case until the last minute. This is to work on as many cases as they can before the statute of limitations ends. While it’s common, it doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do business.
Acting fast on a case will help preserve evidence and get facts straight while they’re fresh. It increases your leverage and allows for a stronger, more accurate defense.
The longer you wait, the higher the medical bills, lost wages and other debts grow. Make sure you have a clear expected timeline, so you can factor this in, and not leave yourself struggling.
- How Involved Will You Be?
You might think that once you file a claim, you can sit back and relax while waiting for your check. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. The best injury attorneys get to know their clients and will expect involvement from you.
If a lawyer tells you that your input isn’t needed, they avoid them. The best results will come from hard work and dedication, and that means you too.
To get the result you want, you need to work alongside your attorney, and take that journey with them. So pick a legal firm like Kemp, Ruge, & Green, which you can find at kemprugegreen.com who will work hard with you.
- Will We Go to Trial?
The key to a great lawyer is they will prepare to go to trial for every case they accept. If a lawyer doesn’t, you’re not getting your money’s worth.
A lot of cases can and do settle out of court, but that’s only if you reach a fair compensation amount. Insurers are well known for offering low figures.
It’s their hope you accept it so you get the process over with quicker. These figures often are much lower than what you’d get if you won in court.
An experienced personal injury attorney knows this and knows how to handle insurers. Did you know that only half of the claimants without a lawyer receive a payout?
Lawyers stand their ground and fight for your rightful compensation. A Lawyer looking to settle early likely wants a quick payout, and won’t have your best interests at heart.
- What’s the Total Bill?
Most personal injury lawyers work using a contingency basis. This means you only have to pay their fees if they win your case or get you a favorable settlement.
The method itself is a standard industry practice, but the amount can vary a lot. A normal range would be anything from 25-40% of your settlement or compensation win.
There may be additional extras to think of too, like:
- doctor’s trips
- investigative work
- extra admin charges
Make sure you find out what the lawyer will charge extra for, so you don’t get caught short. Find out what you’ll have to pay out before you hire a lawyer, and make sure you’re comfortable with the amount.
- Had Anyone Sued or Disciplined Them?
If the answer is yes, there could be a valid reason. But you want to know what that reason is before hiring anyone. No one is perfect, but you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
This is a person you’ll share intimate personal, professional and financial information with. You want to pick someone you can trust, who’ll keep sensitive information safe.
- Can They Provide References and Testimonials?
Talk to some of their colleagues and clients to better understand the lawyer and how their work. Other people’s experiences won’t be the same as yours, but they should give you an idea of the type of person they are.
One of the best ways to find a personal injury lawyer is through word of mouth. Speak with friends and family to see who they might have worked with before.
Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer Made Easy
So, there you have it! Now you know these 9 questions to ask, you’ll be sure to get the right personal injury lawyer for your needs.
Your case is unique to you, and you need a lawyer who will treat you like an individual. It’s best to go with someone you feel comfortable with and can trust. You’ll spend a lot of time with this person, you need to know that your best interests come before their paycheck.
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