Did you know that 3 million people in the United States are injured every year in car accidents? This is why auto accidents are the most common type of personal injury cases. No matter what personal injury case you are dealing with, you must find the right lawyer to help you out.
Read on to learn four questions to ask before hiring a personal injury lawyer.
1. What Are the Fees?
The first question in our personal injury guide that you should ask before hiring a lawyer is what are their fees? A personal injury lawyer may work with contingency fees meaning you don’t need to pay anything unless you get money from your lawsuit.
When you recover money damages, a personal injury attorney takes out a percentage of that award. This is generally between 25 and 45 percent.
Not all attorneys will work on a contingency fee basis. In some cases, a personal injury lawyer may charge a case-related cost along with the contingency fee. This means you must also pay money upfront regardless if you win or lose the personal injury case.
When you come to a lawyer with a personal injury claim, it is important to ask about fees because lawyers work differently. It is a must to understand the qualifications that come along with the lawyer you hire.
2. Have You Done a Similar Case?
You are more likely to win a personal injury settlement when your lawyer has tried cases similar to yours. Because of this, you should ask this question before hiring someone. It is never a good idea to assume your lawyer has handled a case like yours.
If they have tried a similar case, be sure to ask how the experience went. What were the results? How long did the case take to resolve?
Personal injury law varies. For example, a personal injury lawyer may have only worked on car accident claims. In this case, you wouldn’t want to hire that attorney unless you are dealing with a car accident lawsuit.
3. Will the Case Go to Trial?
A personal injury lawyer who tells you right away that your case will settle are ones to watch out for. A lawyer should always expect a case to go to trial so that they are prepared. Without preparation, you won’t win any settlement negotiations.
4. Who Will Handle This Case?
The lawyer you speak with is not always the one who will handle your case. Some firms let you speak with senior partners to get you on board, but aren’t actually the ones representing you.
For this reason, it is always important to ask who you will be in contact with throughout the process. This is especially important when you have questions about your case. It is important to ensure your case is getting handled by an experienced professional.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Now
Not all personal injury claims are the same, but these are the questions you should be asking no matter what the lawsuit entails. Hiring a lawyer before asking them any questions could break your case and result in the outcome you didn’t want. By using this guide, you can find the right personal injury lawyer for your claim.
Need more legal advice? Come back for more articles about other legal matters.
