Over 30 million people are injured across the United States and when you’ve been injured, you don’t want to be spending hours researching personal injury lawyers. But finding the right partner to represent you is essential to getting the best possible outcome for your case.
This is why we’re going to go over the top questions to ask a personal injury lawyer before you decide whether or not to work with them. Let’s get started!
Top Questions to Ask Any Personal Injury Lawyer
Although there are many different questions you can ask a lawyer before working with them, these are the most important ones that will help you decide on the right lawyer for your case.
1. What Kind of Cases Do You Typically Handle?
You want to make sure that the lawyer you’re considering has experience handling cases similar to yours. If they don’t, they may not be familiar with the applicable laws and regulations, and could inadvertently harm your case.
With so many different types of cases, laws, and regulations, it’s impossible to be an expert in them all. Which is why you want to find a lawyer that has experience with your specific type of case. This will ensure your best possible outcome.
2. Have You Ever Handled a Case Like Mine Before?
Ideally, you want a lawyer who has significant experience handling cases like yours. They will know what to expect and will be able to anticipate any potential problems.
3. What is Your Success Rate in Settling Personal Injury Cases?
No one can guarantee a successful outcome, but it’s important to know what kind of track record the lawyer has. A higher success rate usually indicates that the lawyer knows how to get fair settlements for their clients.
Don’t be afraid to ask this question. As a good lawyer is going to have a proven track record of winning cases. You don’t want to be working with a lawyer that can’t win cases!
4. How Much Will it Cost Me to Hire You?
Personal injury lawyers usually work on contingency, which means they will only get paid if they win your case. However, there are other costs associated with hiring a lawyer, such as filing fees and expert witness fees. Make sure you understand what all of the potential costs will be before making a decision.
Make sure that they are upfront with you about all costs. Ask about any extra fees, you don’t want to be blindsided by a sketchy lawyer that tacks on fees without you knowing.
5. Do I Need to Go to Court?
In some personal injury cases, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, as well as other types of cases, going to court is sometimes unavoidable. But in many cases, it can be avoided by negotiating a settlement out of court.
Depending on the type of case it is, 19% to 61% of cases go to court.
Ask your potential lawyer if they think going to trial is likely in your case.
They should know fairly quickly whether or not you’ll have to go into court or if there are options for getting around it.
6. How Long Will My Case Take?
This is a difficult question to answer because every case is different. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer should be able to give you a general idea of how long your particular case is likely to take based on their past experience.
7. Who Will be Handling My Case?
Some law firms have paralegals or junior lawyers handle initial consultations and then hand the case off to a senior partner once it’s been decided that the firm will take it on. Others have their partners handle everything from start to finish. There’s no right or wrong answer here, but it’s important that you know who will be working on your case so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to hire the firm.
8. Do I Pay Advanced Costs If We Lose?
If your personal injury case goes to trial and you lose, will you be responsible for the other side’s costs? This is an important question to ask as it can impact your decision about whether or not to go to trial. In some cases, even if you have a strong case, the risk of having to pay the other side’s costs may be too high to justify going to trial.
9. What Is Your Opinion Of My Case?
After asking all of the above questions, you should have a pretty good idea of whether or not the lawyer is a good fit for you. But it’s always a good idea to get their opinion on your case as well. This will give you an idea of how confident they are in their ability to win your case.
10. How Often Will I Be Updated on My Case?
personal injury cases can take months or even years to resolve. During that time, you’ll likely have questions about the status of your case and what’s happening. Make sure you understand how often you’ll be updated on the progress of your case before hiring a lawyer.
Finding the Right Lawyer for Personal Injury Cases
These are just some of the questions you should ask when considering hiring a personal injury lawyer. By taking the time to do your research, you can increase your chances of finding a lawyer who will provide high-quality representation and help you get the best possible outcome for your case.
If you are searching for a personal injury or family law lawyer, contact us here at Augusta Family Lawyer. We recognize that not all cases are the same or should be treated as such.
Get the legal counsel you need to protect your loved ones and your property. We will show understanding and strength while we help you get compensated for your injuries.
Call us today!
