When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you’ve got more important things to think about than whether or not you’ve chosen the right personal injury attorney. You will likely be dealing with medical costs, changes to your lifestyle, and employment issues. Additionally, you may be dealing with emotional or psychological trauma as a result of your injury.
Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, at your workplace, in a hospital, or as a result of a faulty product, you will want to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. But remember, you do not have to choose the first accident lawyer you speak with. When you are seeking compensation for damages, there are questions to ask that can help you choose the most appropriate lawyer to represent your personal injury case.
Twelve Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
To help you with the process of choosing a qualified personal injury lawyer, Peterson & Associates, P.C.™ has put together this list of questions to ask. If you have already selected an attorney, you may want to ask them these questions as well.
- What experience do you have? Ask about the experience the attorney has with personal injury cases, specifically cases that are similar to your situation.
- When will my lawsuit be filed? Make sure you get a specific deadline. Some personal injury law firms will sit on cases for years unless they are kept to a due date.
- Who will be the actual attorney filing my lawsuit? Ask to speak directly with the attorney who is handling your case. This should be the person you are interviewing since they will be representing you.
- How much is your contingency fee? Most personal injury cases work on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t pay legal fees unless you have won a settlement or received some monetary compensation. Most contingency fees are based on a percentage of the settlement and are often negotiable.
- Are there any expected upfront costs? Some accident lawyers may charge upfront fees in addition to the contingency fee, even if they lose the case. Ask if you will be responsible for any advance fees, and inquire about the specific ones and the expected cost.
- What is the typical time until resolution? Every case is different, but if they have experience handling similar cases, your injury attorney should be able to give a general timetable of how long it takes to get things resolved.
- What is your availability? Make sure the attorney you choose is available to take your calls and meet with you when you need to see them. Also, make sure they are able to respond quickly if you have any questions or concerns.
- How many other cases are you handling? You don’t want a personal injury attorney who is overloaded with cases and won’t give you the attention you need.
- Do you have past clients that can refer you? You are in charge of hiring your attorney, so it’s not unreasonable to ask for references. View our case results to see examples of what type of settlements we have secured for our past clients.
- Have you ever been suspended or disbarred? Find out specifics regarding a lawyer’s professional past and how their past may affect your case.
- Will my case go to trial? The vast majority of personal injury cases do not go to trial, but it is possible that your case might. Make sure that the lawyer you choose is able to represent you in court if your case does not settle with the insurance company.
- What is my case worth? The specifics of your case will determine it's worth, and that will involve discovery, research, and medical examination. If the personal injury lawyer has past experience with similar cases, they should be able to give a rough range estimate and determine a value of your case.
If you have been injured through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Peterson & Associates, P.C.™ today for a free consultation.