7 questions to ask an injury lawyer

Choosing the right lawyer is critical to any personal injury claim. Here is how you can learn all you can about them.

If you’ve been injured because of another person’s negligence, you have probably considered filing a personal injury claim. The first step is talking to a lawyer who can review your case before initiating the claim process. It’s essential to have an idea of what critical questions to ask while you’re in the process of hiring a personal injury lawyer. Here are some to consider:

1. What is your specialty?

There are various practice areas in personal injury law. While most personal injury attorneys are skilled in these areas, not all of them may be familiar with the specific case type you have. It’s essential to note that some lawyers exclusively focus on certain personal injury law areas. When speaking to an attorney, it’s important to clarify the type of personal injury law they’re most experienced in.

2. How many cases like this have you handled?

How much of the attorney’s practice is dedicated to your type of injury and how long they’ve been practicing such an area of personal injury law are important pieces of information to find out from prospective lawyers. Be specific with your questioning and make sure that the personal injury attorney talks about cases similar to yours. Ask how many cases with your type of injury they’ve handled in the past. Don’t be afraid to schedule a consultation with another attorney if you aren’t comfortable with your initial prospect’s experience. The success of your case depends on it.

3. How much is your fees?

With most personal injury lawyers, you won’t have to pay a fee unless you successfully recover money damages in the lawsuit. That’s because they usually work on a contingency fee basis. The attorney will take a percentage of your award if you recover money damages. If you ask experts when to hire a personal injury lawyer, the answer you’ll usually get is to do it immediately after the accident. After all, you won’t pay until your lawsuit becomes successful.

4. What happens if I lose?

Case-related costs may be added to the contingency fee by some personal injury lawyers. It’s important to ask if you’ll be responsible for these “out-of-pocket” costs in the event of an unsuccessful lawsuit.

5. How many other cases have you successfuly handled?

If a personal injury attorney hasn’t won the personal injury cases they’ve taken on, their vast experience in the specific law area that’s relevant to your case doesn’t matter. Don’t hesitate to ask your prospective personal injury lawyer about their success rate. It may seem indelicate, but it’s one way to see if the attorney you’ll hire has achieved particularly notable case results. The success they’ve experienced from these cases provides knowledge that they can also apply to the situation you’re currently in.

6. How long will the process take?

Ask your potential personal injury lawyer how much time they can devote to your case at the moment. It’s not a secret that many lawyers take on multiple cases at once, signing up additional clients even if they’re already sitting on your case. Ask when your lawsuit will be filed and let them know that it’s important to get the ball rolling right away.

7. How much is my case worth?

Just like asking how long the case will take, it’s also important to ask about your case’s worth. An experienced lawyer will be able to provide a good idea of the worth of your case despite the fact that a settlement is never guaranteed. Of course, their answer will be based on their previous experience. By considering factors, such as discovery, liability, and medical expenses, the attorney should also be able to elucidate why a certain amount is what they believe to be your case’s worth. (Lawyer.com)