Over 19,000 attorneys are employed in the United States.
It’s important to hire a personal injury lawyer, but finding the right one can be difficult. You might think that all attorneys are the same, and that any lawyer will do.
This is not true. Personal injury lawyers are available in many different specialties.
Find an attorney who is specialized in your particular case. Asking questions will help you gauge the lawyer’s knowledge and experience.
This simple guide will help you determine what questions you should ask before you hire a personal injury attorney.
1. How long have you been practicing law?
When hiring an attorney, experience is very important. The more experienced an attorney is, the longer they have been practicing law.
They will be able to handle your case more quickly and efficiently than someone who is less experienced.
Asking someone directly how long they have been practicing law will give you the best answer. Check out this lawyer if you are looking for an experience lawyer.
2. What areas of law do you specialize in?
Only a few areas of the law apply to your situation.
A lawyer who specializes is likely to have more experience and knowledge than someone who practices in multiple areas. Ask a prospective lawyer what law areas they specialize in.
The more specific the answer, the better. If they say “I handle every case,” it’s likely that they have no experience in the area you are interested in.
3. Have you handled cases similar to mine before?
A lawyer with experience is likely to be familiar with cases like yours.
You should be able to get examples of similar cases in the past. They should also be able tell you what happened in those cases.
Ask your attorney what outcome he or she believes would be best for you. If you are not satisfied with the attorney’s answer, it may be an indication that this is not the lawyer for you.
4. Do you have references or testimonials?
You can also find out about a lawyer’s experience and competence by speaking to his or her other clients.
Referrals and testimonials should be available from previous clients. It’s a bad sign if they don’t.
Check with your local bar association to see if there are any complaints filed against the lawyer in question.
5. What do you charge for your services?
Discuss the fees that an attorney charges for their services when you first meet them.
Some lawyers charge an hourly rate, while others have a flat fee or a contingency fee. You should ask to see a sample of the billing statement.
You should look for an attorney that charges based on contingency rather than by the hour.
6. What is your success rate?
Ask about the success rate of any lawyer you are considering.
A lawyer with many wins will be able to tell you how many. What factors led to their success?
A lawyer who cannot answer your question may be a warning sign. Ask them about their previous losses and why.
7. Will You Be Handling My Case?
You may not be able speak directly with a lawyer if they have many cases. You may be forced to work with a paralegal or associate who has less experience in the field.
It may not seem like a big issue, but it could lead to complications.
Be sure you are comfortable with the arrangement before moving forward. You may want to hire a lawyer directly to handle your case if you are not comfortable.
8. What is your communication policy?
It is important to understand how your lawyer will communicate with.
Email is acceptable as long as the email is answered quickly and clearly. Make sure you can speak to them on the phone if that is what you prefer.
Ask them what they want from you.
Do you need to fill out any forms? How often will you be contacted and what information are they looking for?
Before proceeding, make sure your vision is in line with what the lawyer expects.
9. How do you plan to approach my case?
You can choose to be aggressive or passive in your approach.
You may be more comfortable with an aggressive or passive approach. Ask your lawyer for their plan of action if you’re unsure.
You will have a better understanding of their capabilities. This will allow you to make an informed choice about whether or not to hire the person.
10. Do you have malpractice insurance?
Lawyers should be insured against malpractice or else they shouldn’t practice law. The malpractice insurance protects the client from any liability if the lawyer makes an error that damages your case.
If an attorney does not have malpractice insurance, then they aren’t well-established to handle your case. Or, they’re trying to save some money by not buying it.
This is a sign that you should avoid. This shows that the lawyer does not care about protecting the client’s interest.
Know what to expect from a Personal Injury Attorney
Asking the right questions can help you learn more about your personal injury lawyer.
If you don’t, keep looking until you find someone who meets your needs. Keep looking until you meet your needs.
Browse our site to find all the legal information you need.