Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, there are important questions you need to ask them. You don’t have to grill them on every process that’d be necessary for your case, but fundamental questions will help you find the best one to represent you.
Instead of questions about the law, you need to ask them questions that’ll help you understand expectations upon hiring them. Here are some of them:
1. Can You Handle My Case?
This question allows you to gauge a lawyer’s honesty since great ones know their limits. They know if they have the time, energy, and expertise to win your case. These lawyers don’t sign up clients just for the sake of it, but they only do when they know you can receive sufficient attention for your case.
Start by checking out nearby law firms and visit the website of such firms to schedule an appointment. You can tell them your case, and they can gauge if they can handle it or not.
If your case is big, it’s best to go to more established and larger firms. They’re likely operated by more experienced staff, multiple record specialists, paralegals, and lawyers. All of whom will work together so you can get the best results for your case.
2. How Much Will You Charge Me?
Money must not be an issue if you want to pursue a personal injury case. Lawyers handling such cases usually work on a contingency basis, which means you only pay them if they win your case. The fee will depend on the compensation award, and a percentage of such will go to your attorney.
This question also lets you know the additional fees you might have to pay aside from the percentage. This may include the costs of postage, copying documents, and other legal fees.
3. Who Will Handle My Case?
The lawyer you may be talking to at the moment may not be the one to represent your case. Asking who will handle your case allows you to check if the lawyer would be suitable for you. Some law firms let you talk to their ace lawyer and make a rookie handle your case. It’d be your decision if you want someone new to take your case, but if you want a sure win, it may be better to work with an experienced one.
If someone else will represent you, ask that you personally talk to the lawyers. That way, you can set your expectations with them while building your rapport with each other.
4. Have You Experienced Handling Similar Cases?
This question will help you determine if you’ll be working with a generalist or specialist. Some lawyers may be working on multiple types of cases aside from personal injury cases, and knowing such is essential. If you think the case is similar to your case, then better. But if the attorney handles multiple cases, from criminal to real estate to divorce, it may be a red flag.
Although they have a robust experience, it may not be helpful to your case since the cases aren’t similar to yours. The ones you should hire should have represented individuals who’ve been injured to ensure they’ve experienced and specialized in personal injury laws.
You should also determine if their answers will show their level of experience in personal injury cases. Thus, it’s also better to ask questions that show the results of the issues they’ve handled.
5. Is Trial Possible On My Case?
If the answer is yes, ask them if they can work on it. This allows you to determine if the lawyer can win your case in court. Experience is also essential if your case goes to trial, so the lawyer is already familiar with the processes. While settling out of court is better, your lawyer should be prepared to take it to court if necessary.
6. What Is My Level Of Participation In The Case?
This vital question is essential if your case will go to trial. Lawsuits require teamwork, and it means you should also participate in them. Your potential attorney must be able to make you understand the case and your role throughout the process. Your involvement is essential if you want to win your case, too.
Conclusion
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is easy these days as you only need to search online, and many law firms will pop up on your search results. However, you should ensure that you hire the right one by asking the right questions. A lawyer will represent you, so you should find one with sufficient experience and time to help you.
