Questions You Need to Ask When You're Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Unfortunately, many people are the victims of terrible accidents that leave them with serious injuries and even permanent disabilities. In certain cases, these accidents were preventable. If only a certain negligent party had done something differently, those unfortunate injuries could have been prevented.

In this scenario, you do have recourse: you can sue for damages in a court of law. While it can’t reverse the injuries, it can help you pay your medical bills and even help make up for wages you’ve lost because of your injuries. However, finding the right personal injury attorney can be difficult. To help, here are a few questions you should ask to help you find the right lawyer for you.

Have You Worked on Similar Cases Before?

Personal injury is a very wide field of law that concerns a multitude of different circumstances and clients. Many personal injury lawyers specialize in one kind of case. Overall, it's best to find attorneys who have dealt with cases similar to yours. For example, if you had a slip and fall accident, you're better off finding a lawyer that has pursued multiple slip and fall cases than one that focuses on medical malpractice or car accidents.

What Is Your Track Record?

While it’s important to know if they have experiences with cases like yours, it’s also important to know how they did with those cases. Make sure to inquire about whether or not that attorney obtained settlements and jury decisions in those clients' favor. You are entitled to this information.

What Fees Do You Charge?

Whether or not you end up using a specific attorney also tends to depend on whether or not you can afford it. Many lawyers that do personal injury cases work on a contingency basis. This means they only get paid after you obtain a settlement or jury award. However, not every lawyer does work that way. Make sure to ask before you find out you now owe more than expected.

Will You Be Handling My Case?

Just because you speak to a certain attorney does not mean that specific lawyer will actually be doing most of the work on your case. With a larger firm, other lawyers and staff may end up being the ones that take your case to court. This isn't necessarily negative, but it's something you should be aware of.

What Is Your Assessment of My Case?

You don't want to choose a personal injury lawyer that thinks your case is unwinnable. Make sure to ask that attorney for their honest assessment of your case based on the facts you have provided. This assessment will be valuable information regarding how you should proceed.

Like with any large investment of time and money, you should shop around for a good attorney. You don't have to settle for the first one you speak to. Perform your own research and make sure to ask good questions like the ones listed above during the interview process. Make sure to find the best lawyer suited to your specific needs.