If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be considering working with a lawyer. Your initial meeting can provide you with crucial information to help you decide who is the best person for you to work with. But it’s essential to ask the right questions in order to determine this.
Below, you’ll learn the top 10 questions to ask your personal injury lawyer to ensure that you’ve made the right choice.
Question #1: What are your fees?
Lawyers typically work under a contingency fee agreement, where you won’t pay legal fees unless your lawyer wins your case and recovers a settlement. You’ll know you have a solid case if you find a lawyer who is willing to take it on under this type of agreement.
Keep in mind that contingency fees are usually between 25% and 40%. If you have an especially strong case with more damages, your fee agreement will be more negotiable. By asking about contingency fees, you’ll get a good sense of how strong your case is.
Question #2: What costs will I be responsible for if we don’t win my case?
On top of contingency fees, lawyers also charge for any costs they incur to put together your case. These costs will be deducted from the monetary amount you win in your settlement. It’s essential to choose a lawyer who will not charge you for these costs if you lose the case. Request a guarantee in writing stating that you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket expenses.
Question #3: What experience do you have with this type of personal injury case?
Personal injury lawsuits are among the top cases lawyers strive to take, but just because a lawyer advertises as a personal injury lawyer doesn’t mean they have expertise with your type of case. Find out about your lawyer’s experience with your type of case, as well as the types of results they have achieved. If you can, ask for references to other clients you can talk to. If a lawyer tries to intimidate you, they are likely not the right choice. Your lawyer should always make you feel that you are in control of the hiring situation.
Question #4: Do you have enough time to devote to my case now?
While choosing a popular, big name lawyer might seem like a good idea, this isn’t always the case. These lawyers are often extremely busy and will commonly take on your case, but put it on the back burner while they take on additional cases. This means they may wait until the statute of limitations is about to expire before filing a lawsuit.
This can cause problems when you need money for medical and other injury-related expenses and it takes a long time to get it. Ask the lawyer how many additional pending cases they have, and how much time will be dedicated to your case.
Question #5: When will you file my lawsuit?
In cases with a far off statute of limitations, a lawyer may wait until a deadline approaches to start working, which can take up to two years. Work with someone who will file your case sooner rather than later.
Question #6: How likely is my case to go to trial, and when will this happen?
A good lawyer expects every case to go to trial. If your lawyer says your case will more than likely be settled, make sure you understand why you’re settling and what you’ll settle for.
If your lawyer is not prepared for your case to go to trial, it’s likely that you won’t be fairly compensated. Although it may be difficult to get a definite answer about the timeline of your case, ask for at least an estimated time frame. Keep in mind that it can take 2-3 years to resolve a personal injury case, but depending on the complexity of your case it could be resolved sooner.
Question #7: How much am I likely to be compensated?
Finding out how much your case is worth is essential, and all good lawyers will have at least an estimate. The discovery process, liability, and medical issues that have not yet come to light can result in a wide range in terms of compensation, but your lawyer should be able to provide you with this range and explain the unknown factors that may impact it. If the amount seems unrealistic to you, it probably is.
Question #8: Will you personally handle my case?
Without asking this question, it’s possible that you’ll meet your lawyer during your consultation, but they will not be the person you work with. Ask about exactly who will handle your case, who you should contact with questions, and who you’ll talk to when you call the office.
Question #9: What will be my role during the lawsuit?
Many lawyers will expect you to take part in your case, while others will discourage this. Find out what will be expected of you before you hire your lawyer.
If you feel strongly about your case, you may prefer to be very involved and will want to work closely with your lawyer. Make sure to express your preferences and choose a lawyer who is open to the level of participation you desire.
Question #10: Can you get me a higher monetary award than other lawyers? If so, how?
Money is a priority for personal injury lawyers and most lawyers will put their effort into recovering maximum damages for you. Make sure your lawyer will put in the time and energy necessary to achieve this, and can explain why they’re the best person for the job.
Don’t be afraid to participate in several consultations to find the lawyer who best fits your criteria. Consultations are usually free, so take enough time to find a lawyer without delaying the progress of your case.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, book a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer to better understand your rights.
