You never want to find yourself in a situation where you need to hire a personal injury attorney.
However, if you do end up in a compromising situation, knowing how to properly vet attorneys by asking the right questions is extremely important.
6 Questions to Ask
Personal injury lawyers are a dime a dozen – meaning you have hundreds of options in your local area.
Having said that, good lawyers who are worth hiring are much fewer and further between. In order to find an attorney who is right for your case, you have to ask good questions.
Here are six specific questions to ask:
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What Kind of Experience Do You Have with My Specific Type of Case?
Not all personal injury cases are the same. For example, an attorney who’s skilled in handling car accident claims might not be the best choice for a medical malpractice lawsuit. It’s important to find a lawyer who has experience with cases that are similar to yours.
Ask about the types of cases they typically handle and request examples of cases similar to yours. This will give you a good idea of their expertise and whether they’re a fit for your specific needs.
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What Is Your Track Record for Winning Cases?
You want a lawyer who doesn’t just take on cases but wins them. Ask potential lawyers about their track record, including both settlements and trial outcomes. (It’s important to differentiate between the two and get information on both.)
- How many cases have they won?
- What are the typical settlement ranges they’ve achieved for their clients?
- What percentage of cases are settled versus go to court?
Knowing this information can help you gauge how effectively they can handle your case and what you might expect in terms of compensation.
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How Do You Charge for Your Services?
Understanding how a lawyer charges for their services is important. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. Then, they receive a percentage of the settlement or court award.
Ask about their fee structure. Specifically:
- What percentage do they take?
- Are there any upfront costs?
- What happens if the case is lost?
Clearing this up from the start can prevent any surprises down the road.
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Who Will Be Handling My Case?
Sometimes, the lawyer you meet during your initial consultation isn’t the one who will be handling your case day-to-day. Ask who will be your main point of contact and who will be working on your case. Will it be the senior lawyer, associates, or paralegals?
Knowing who is handling your case will help you understand how your case will be managed and who to contact with questions.
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How Will You Keep Me Updated on the Progress of My Case?
Effective communication is obviously important in any legal case. You need to know how your case is progressing and what is being done on your behalf. Ask the lawyer how often and through what means they will update you.
Will they call you, email updates, or have regular meetings? Make sure their communication style matches your expectations.
You can tell a lot about an attorney by how they communicate with you when they’re trying to get your business. If their communication is poor during this part of the process, then imagine how bad it’ll be once they’ve added you as a client and no longer have to convince you to work with them. Good communication from the start is important.
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Can You Provide References from Past Clients?
A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients. Hearing directly from others who have been in your shoes can provide insights into how the lawyer operates and what you can expect in terms of service and outcomes. If a lawyer hesitates to provide references, that might be a red flag.
Questions Matter – Ask the Right Ones
Asking these questions does more than just provide you with information about the lawyer’s qualifications and approach – it also establishes a line of communication and trust, which is essential in any attorney-client relationship.
You need to feel comfortable and confident with the person who will be representing you in something as important as a personal injury claim.
Hiring the right personal injury lawyer is one of the biggest levers you have in terms of influencing the outcome of your case and the level of stress you experience during the process.
By asking the right questions, you can ensure that you choose a lawyer who is well-equipped to handle your case with the competence and dedication it deserves.
