When a person is involved in an accident, injuries might occur. This will drastically affect the earning capacity of the affected household.
In something like this occurs, you need take charge of the situation immediately. However, if you have no legal experience, taking charge of a personal injury case on your own can be daunting, and it might even result in loss or less than what you deserve. It is better to handle your personal injury claim with a legal professional who can better help you win, and who has extensive knowledge on the subject matter.
Experienced personal injury lawyers are the best people you can rely on. An experienced attorney will help you get the best settlement possible. Whether that comes from solving monetary damages, covering medical bills, or other case-related costs, a professional is going to be better in helping you gain as much as possible.
There are lots of ads for attorneys on television, social media, newspapers, and billboards. These all make choosing a qualified person a more challenging task. The lawyer you choose must fit into the specialization required for the specific case you have. A personal injury lawyer is needed if you are involved in an accident and have sustained an injury.
Personal Injury Lawyers
When it comes to personal injury lawyers, you must know what you are getting. That’s why a free consultation is essential for many clients.
During your consultation, you will have the opportunity, as a potential client, to get a feel for what kind of attorney-client relationship you can have. You’ll be able to ask personal injury lawyers several questions, whether it’s about the law firm, the contingency fee, their legal team, the legal process, the out-of-pocket costs, their success rate, and anything else that may come to your mind. Do not hesitate to ask any of these questions.
The questions you ask don’t need to be complicated and should be easy to comprehend. You can ask whatever you need to in order to ensure that you are getting the services of the right person for you and your case.
If you’re curious about specific questions to ask an attorney, here is a list that should help you.
The Questions
The following questions will determine if the potential lawyer has what it takes to successfully win the case for you. The client’s best interest must be the first priority at all times.
How much do I have to spend on hiring you?
There are two types of attorneys that you can encounter. The first may is one who works on a contingency basis, meaning you will not pay legal fees if the case is not won. Contingency fee agreements will take a fraction of the compensation you receive from the case.
Other lawyers will charge for documents, postage, and filing fees. They will hand you out monthly statements that you will need to pay.
How will you update me regarding my particular case?
Experienced attorneys will know that everything must be clear when the attorney gives updates regarding your case. You must always be aware of what is happening in your case. The progress must be transparent so that you will not have false hopes in case there are uncertainties regarding your case. The updates can be made through phone calls or through email, which would be much better. Every attorney must be very approachable so that, as a client, you can ask questions freely whenever you feel the need.
Can you provide examples of your credentials and your history of success?
It is essential that you know not only the credentials of the attorney but also if they are successful in their recent cases. This will give you insight on whether your attorney is capable enough to handle cases just like yours.
An experienced lawyer will have no issues being able to present their credentials. And you’ll find it’ll make all the difference if the law firm you go to is reputable. As you’ll find more success stories and other lawyers who are willing to describe their experience, various aspects of the job, the potential clients they’ve worked with, and their most significant concerns with your case.
How much money do I have to spend on my case, and what’s the maximum compensation that I’ll be able to get?
Although the exact amount might be impossible to provide, an estimate of what you are about to get from the compensation will depend on the settlement offer or the personal injury case. What to expect regarding the monetary amount you have to shell out and the award you have to get after the case will need to be discussed with your potential personal injury lawyers.
Do I have a good case?
Expect to receive the answer to this question with 100% transparency. It will let you know if it is worth pursuing the case or just taking a chance on a settlement agreement. The attorney must also be able to point out the weaknesses of your case.
This will be an excellent time to observe what each attorney says your legal options are. It typically depends on whether a serious injury took place or the severity of the damages. In some personal injury cases, you may find that you go to trial, whereas sometimes, you can carry out settlement negotiations instead.
Have you handled similar cases like mine?
Although you should not close your doors to personal injury attorneys who have not handled many similar cases, it’s best to find someone who really knows how to help. There are talented lawyers everywhere, and it’s possible to find great ones with varying levels of experience. With their answers, you’ll get an overview of their skill. From there you can decide how each personal injury attorney operates and whether or not you agree with their way of taking legal action.
How many verdicts have you won in court?
It is always best to aim for a settlement agreement rather than a trial. With this in mind, though, you should note whether the attorney you are looking to hire is capable of winning in case your claim reaches the court for a trial. It is better to feel prepared whichever way your case goes.
Allow a potential personal injury lawyer to offer a case evaluation, or reach out to other experienced lawyers to see if they can predict how the legal system will handle your case.
Do you have personal insights regarding my case?
Personal injury lawyers are experts when negotiating terms with an insurance company. You should always make use of their expertise so that you can turn the case to your advantage. Feel free to ask a personal injury lawyer some more detailed questions, such as the specifics regarding settlement expectations with the insurance company.
Law firms should always offer clarity. It’s best to make sure you’re speaking with a personal injury attorney or legal representation team that has experience in this field.
Are you willing to proceed to a trial?
When things go unexpectedly, and failure to reach a settlement occurs, your attorney must be willing to go to trial if needed. Regardless of the outcome, your attorney must do their best to ensure that your best interest is met.
Sometimes taking personal injury cases to court is unavoidable. But try to look at the personal injury attorney’s past client list or track record for taking cases to court. This should help you understand whether this particular legal organization tends to jump into the courtroom.
Are there extra charges if my case goes to trial?
Some lawyers charge an extra compensation fee if a case goes to trial because of the extra work and effort needed. You should know about this beforehand so you can plan ahead and avoid surprises. Remember, there are always some unexpected case-related costs.
How long will it take until my case is finished?
As a client, you need to know how long it will take for your case to be completed. It might be difficult to give a specific date and time to get results from your case, but an estimated timeframe can be provided by a lawyer, and it will give you a great idea of what to expect. It will provide you with an overview of how long you may need to wait to see results.
What’s Next
When hiring a personal injury attorney, it’s best to find out as much information as you can so that you know what you can expect from them. You should jot down which questions you want to ask when selecting a personal injury lawyer for your case.
Always remember that there is nothing wrong with having questions to ask. Most personal injury lawyers are happy to answer your questions, which is why you should not be afraid to ask sensible questions that will help you understand your case more.
Rawlins Law is always ready to help you with your settlement case. Our consultations are free, meaning you do not need to pay to know the process required to handle your case. Call us today at 858-529-5872
It doesn’t matter whether you have a personal injury case to file or you’re looking at other attorneys to assist in something like a malpractice case. We are here for you. Contact us today for your initial consultation. Let’s battle you personal injury case together.
