Personal injury cases are so prevalent in the US that the personal injury lawyers market is worth a staggering $41 billion.
With so many professionals, it may be hard for you to find the best personal injury lawyer for your case. That said, it’s of absolute importance that you don’t try to tackle a personal injury case on your own.
So, how do you find professional, competent, and reputable personal injury lawyers? Well, in this guide, we’ll look at some of the most critical questions that will help you set the wheat and the chaff apart.
Keep reading to find the 8 questions that will make finding the best personal injury lawyer a whole lot easier.
1. What Is Your Success Rate?
The rate of success is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer. It is no use to find a bargain price and take on a law firm with a poor track record. It would be a waste of time, money, and the one chance you have at winning the compensation you deserve.
Be sure you get answers from at least three lawyers. Inquire how they calculate their success rates and what type of cases they handle since there are wide differences between personal injury cases. Make sure that the lawyers you interview have legal experience working with similar cases.
If you’re dealing with a car accident case, motorcycle accident case, medical malpractice case, or even a dog bite, get a lawyer who has expertise in that particular area.
2. Are There Any Lawsuits Against You or Your Firm?
This is also an important issue to be aware of when scrutinizing personal injury lawyers. If the law firm has any current lawsuits against it, it could be a sign of a larger problem with their work ethic or expertise.
Lawyers handling personal injury claims should be honest regarding their methods and track record if they have a history of being sued for negligence. Find out if the attorney you’re questioning has what is known as a P4. This is a situation where the plaintiff accuses the defense of misleading them into signing a contract.
3. Will My Private Information Be Secure?
Personal injury lawyers request some sensitive personal and financial information to build the case. Now, with identity theft affecting about 13 million US citizens, it’s vital to worry about the security of your information. If it turns out that the attorney does not have proper security measures in place, who is going to pay for all expenses accrued as a result?
Check what type of insurance they carry and whether there are any clauses concerning monetary penalties if their system ever fails. Insurance companies generally won’t cover charges resulting from the loss of personal information if it was not properly secured.
4. How Long Do I Need to Wait Before My Case Starts?
When hiring a personal injury attorney, be sure that you properly understand how much time is expected of both parties before any real action can begin. It depends on each individual case, but most cases require several months of intensive investigation and interviewing.
The lawyer will need to build up a strong argument and gather enough evidence to win the case. Keep in mind that most cases take around one to two years to settle, so do not get discouraged if things don’t move as quickly as you would like them to.
5. How Much Will I Need to Pay Out of Pocket?
Sometimes personal injury lawyers require their clients to pay for certain expenses. For example, they may ask for a few hundred dollars at the beginning of an investigation to hire personnel or send out subpoenas. This money should be refunded to you, but only once the case has settled successfully.
If all goes well, their percentage will come from your final settlement funds. Some attorneys prefer for this money to come directly from the clients.
Others prefer to cater to all the expenses themselves and compensate themselves after winning the case. However, this needs to be clear so ask how much you need to pay in advance, even if the lawyer fees are on a contingency basis.
6. What Are My Chances of Winning?
It is very important that you have clear expectations for the case. Most personal injury lawyers will decide whether or not they want to continue representing you upon learning about their initial assessment of your claim. A professional personal injury lawyer will treat you with respect and be honest about what to expect.
Be wary of lawyers who guarantee a win because lawsuits are unpredictable. If they offer any guarantee, it’s because they want to get the personal injury claim for their own benefit, and not yours. That said, try to find out if they are optimistic about the possibility of reaching favorable results, whether in a settlement or trial.
7. Will You Be the One Representing My Case?
You may find that the attorney you interview is not the one handling your case, which can be a letdown. Find out if they’ll be handing over your case, and whether you can talk to the lawyer who will be in charge.
Still, personal injury cases can become very complicated as they often involve numerous depositions and hearings. Hiring a lawyer who has a team of experienced professionals working on similar cases is vital. It’ll make the work a lot easier, and the case could move on faster.
8. Do You Have Any References I Can Talk To?
It’s advisable to ask personal injury lawyers that you’re considering hiring for references from previous clients who had cases similar to yours. The attorney should be happy to provide these because it shows they have nothing to hide and are willing to vouch for their work.
Remember, though, that every case is different, so don’t be too concerned if you find some negative testimonials, as long as the majority of them are positive.
Hiring the Best Personal Injury Lawyers: What to Ask
Your personal injury lawyer plays a critical role in the success of your case, and you should choose that person very carefully. After all, they’ll have to work closely with you for several months, at least before being able to start filing proper paperwork.
It only makes sense to find someone who you can get along with ideally or who can meet certain reasonable expectations. There are many personal injury lawyers out there, so ask these questions to get closer to the right one.
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