What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you’re faced with the prospect of having to file a personal injury claim, you’re likely to feel a great deal of anxiety and stress, and there are no other words to describe it. Whatever the situation may be, this is a critical juncture in your life. As a result, filing a personal injury claim is not something to be handled lightly.

Your lawyer is the person who might be your best friend during such a crucial but difficult time. These lawyers understand the ins and outs of the law, as well as what you should and shouldn’t do, because they have worked in the field of personal injury. However, the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit is also determined by the personal injury lawyer you choose.

For that reason, here is a list of questions you should ask before enlisting the services of a personal injury lawyer to help you with the case.

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Ask About the Fees

When you’re faced with a plethora of choices, one of the most significant factors to consider is the cost. The majority of individuals believe that engaging a lawyer will be costly, and this is true for some lawyers. For that reason, when you’re narrowing down your list of potential personal injury lawyers, start with the fees. That way, you’ll know right away whether or not the lawyer is within your budget.

For instance, if your personal injury case occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, you might be wondering what percentage do injury lawyers charge in Phoenix. So, the best course of action is to contact a few lawyers and ask about their billing process.

Nonetheless, the good news is that most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t have to pay a fee until you receive a settlement, which is a sum of money owed to you by the other party. When you receive monetary compensation, the lawyer receives a percentage of the total called a contingency fee.

Has the Lawyer Handled Injury Cases Similar to Yours

Even if you’re working with a specialized personal injury lawyer, you should inquire about whether they’ve handled personal injury cases similar to yours. This inquiry will offer you a general notion of whether or not the lawyer has the necessary skills to resolve your issue.

Take it a step further and inquire about the cases’ outcomes when you pose this inquiry. If it isn’t favorable, it may be a red flag, and the best thing for you to do now is to find another lawyer.

How Much Time Can Be Devoted to Your Case

You should also inquire about how much time personal injury lawyers in your area can dedicate to your case, especially if they are known to have a large caseload. That way, you’ll know whether or not you’ll be able to give it the attention it deserves.

For instance, some lawyers take on so many cases at once, and, as a result, they have trouble focusing on just one client. Some firms or teams may even allocate your case to an associate. If you want a certain lawyer to handle your case, you must make this desire explicit ahead of time.

Will Your Case Go to Trial or Not

It is not always the case that personal injury lawsuits get to trial. However, a good lawyer will always prepare for this when they accept a case. Experienced lawyers know how to stand firm in order to put their clients in the best possible position. A good agreement and settlement may usually be reached outside of the courts. However, if this is not the case, you will have no choice but to go to trial.

Let your lawyer know if you want to try to settle things out of court before going to court. That way, your lawyer can work even harder to reduce the chances of your case going to court.

Ask If You Can Speak to Previous Clients

When it comes to your lawyer’s background, you’ll want to look at some form of a portfolio, just like you should when hiring other professional companies.

Your goal should be to gather the previous client’s feedback on the lawyer you’re considering hiring based on their previous experience with them. Is it true that they won the case?  Are they satisfied with their competence? Were they pleasant and accommodating?

As a result, you will have a benchmark for determining whether or not a certain lawyer is worth employing.

Final Thoughts

Finally, go through your first consultation with the lawyer carefully, asking all of the questions you have. You’re paying for their time, so if you don’t understand something or you want more info, clarify it then and there.

These questions can help you make a smart decision about your legal representation and protect yourself in the process. But what’s important to remember is that you should feel comfortable with the answers you receive.