Finding the right personal injury lawyer makes all the difference in your case – and the compensation you win. In this post, we provide 10 questions you can ask to find the perfect fit. Let’s dive in.
Personal injury attorneys generally collect fees on contingency. This means they collect fees as an agreed-upon percentage of the total settlement AFTER they win the case. In other words, you pay NOTHING out of pocket to hire a lawyer.
There is no definitive answer here, but the personal injury lawyer should be able to provide an estimate based on the information you provide. Be sure to give them as many details, records, and evidence as you can to build the case.
Your attorney will do the heavy lifting of the personal injury case, but your role is to:
- Respond promptly
- Be transparent about hardships and losses
- Provide records, receipts, estimates, and documents promptly
All personal injury claims involve accidents – but it’s not apples-to-apples. Always ask an attorney about their experience handling accident cases like yours – whether it’s car accidents, medical malpractice, slip and falls, etc.
Communication is everything in personal injury cases. You’ll need to get a feel for how the attorney plans to touch base, discuss progress, and keep you in the loop on all legal proceedings.
Like case valuation, there is no definitive answer here – but the attorney should have a rough timeline to earn compensation. Settlements can take anywhere from a few months to a few years.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. Your attorney should make it clear they plan to settle quickly – for the highest possible compensation.
Only about 5% of cases go to trial. While this is very rare, your attorney should give you an idea of what the process will look like – and your path to winning a fair settlement through the court system.
Most attorneys will not even take your case if they don’t think they can win – but they should specify the worst case scenario. The best lawyers are confident in their abilities, and should not charge you anything if they lose.
This question is the best way to gauge an attorney’s trustworthiness. Their priorities should be related to:
- Earning maximum compensation - Eliminating stress for clients - Quick resolutions
Asking the right questions is crucial in the initial consultation. Read the full post to learn more about how you can set yourself up for success.