Personal injury is a serious issue. So it makes sense that personal injury victims put in extra effort when they decide to work with a legal expert. It is common for victims to shop and ask around until they get the best fit. In a sense, you might want to interview different attorneys when choosing the right lawyer or a Personal Injury Lawyer before you commit to working with one of them. Doing so can ascertain that you have a better experience, from filing a case to awarding settlement.
However, there are certain things you will need to ask a personal injury lawyer before you hire them. Some of these things include:
1. Availability
It is not an unusual thing for an attorney to have a lot of cases to handle. Asking your potential attorney how much time they expect to attribute when it comes to your case is vital.
Based on a personal injury claim, time is an important factor. So emphasize the need to get investigations started and inquire when your case will be filed.
2. Track of Record
A perfect way to determine if your potential personal injury lawyer has been successful in their previous cases is to ask about their track record.
This will give you a rough idea of the number of cases the attorney has lost and won in the past. Plus, this may include what the average verdict or settlement is for cases like yours.
Although it is vital to remember that all cases vary and you are not guaranteed to win, checking a personal injury attorney’s track record will help determine how they can be successful to handle your case.
3. Areas of Expertise
Most lawyers are general practitioners. This means they deal with a variety of cases, ranging from criminal to domestic and traffic. Basically, this is not a bad thing.
But compared to other cases, personal injury lawsuits are challenging, and the laws associated with them are ever-changing with federal and state legislation.
With such, if you have a personal injury claim or got involved in an auto accident, it is recommendable that you hire a personal injury attorney who specializes in handling complex civil or personal injury cases.
4. Rates
Normally, personal injury lawyers on a contingency basis. That means you will not pay a thing unless you get a settlement after winning your case.
If you win the case, you will pay your lawyer a certain percentage that the two of you agreed on before you started working together.
The contingency percentage may differ based on the attorney and when they settle during the process. Some attorneys may as well charge additional fees. So it is vital to be clear about your lawyer’s billing practice before hiring them.
In a Nutshell!
There are a lot of things you can ask a personal injury attorney before you make up your mind to hire them to deal with your case.
By thinking of those things before speaking to any lawyer, you will get more prepared to make the most out of your first consultation and learn more details about them.