Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you hire an attorney for your personal injury, there are a few questions you should be sure to get answered. You want to be sure that your attorney is a good fit for the case and that you will be able to work with them. These ten questions to ask a personal injury lawyer will help you determine if the attorney you choose will meet your needs.
What Kind of Cases Do You Handle on a Day-to-Day Basis?
You want to be sure that the attorney you hire has experience in your type of case. Some lawyers are general practitioners, handling many different types of cases. Personal injury cases can be complicated so you want to be sure that the person you hire has extensive experience. An attorney who handles personal injury cases daily is more likely to be able to address your needs than one who only does so occasionally.
How Long Have You Practiced Personal Injury Law?
Because most personal injury attorneys work on what is known as a contingency fee, where they receive a percentage of your award, an attorney who has only a few years’ experience will charge the same as one with 20 years’ experience. You want to be sure that your attorney is experienced enough to handle your case.
Do You Have Court Experience?
One of the questions to ask a personal injury lawyer may seem silly, but the fact is that there are lawyers who have never argued a case in court. An attorney who always settles the case or refers you to a different lawyer if it looks like it is going to go to trial may not be the best option for you. You want an attorney who will make the insurance company think they will go as far as possible to help their client. If the attorney has a history of settling out of court every time, the insurance company may not be intimidated.
What Successful Outcomes Have You Had?
The more successful outcomes an attorney has had, whether settlements or court verdicts, the better it will be for you. Understand that the insurance companies in your area know which attorneys will push a case to court and which will fight harder for settlement. You want to know how successful the attorney has been both in and out of court.
Who Will Handle My Case?
The lawyer who interviews you initially may answer all your questions the way you want and seem to be the perfect choice. But if that is not the attorney handling your case, you could be less than satisfied. In some firms, your case may be handed off to a young attorney and you may never see the high-powered attorney you interviewed again. Understand, however, that many top lawyers delegate routine functions to less experienced lawyers in the firm, but they still oversee what is happening throughout the case.
What Legal Organizations Do You Belong To?
There are organizations that attorneys belong to that specialize in representing injured people. Organizations like the American Association for Justice or state Trial Lawyers Associations provide extensive education for members. Lawyers who belong to these types of organizations are often much more knowledgeable than those who do not.
What Honors or Awards Have You Won?
If you want to hire the best lawyer for your case, you want to search for one who has received awards or honors from their peers. Attorneys who have led bar associations are also top choices for attorneys. In addition, attorneys who lecture or have written for legal publications are often esteemed by their peers, so you can also ask them about those aspects of their career.
Do You Have the Financial Ability to Take On My Case?
Lawsuits can be very expensive and if your attorney cannot afford to fund the resources necessary to properly handle your case, your outcome may not be what you want. You could be pressured into taking an inadequate settlement or your case may not proceed to the trial stage at all.
If you are searching for a lawyer for your personal injury case, contact Lundy Law with these questions to ask a personal injury lawyer. You can arrange for a no obligation consultation by completing the simple form on our website or calling 1-800-Lundy Law. We will be happy to answer these questions and any others you may have.
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