If you have been injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another individual, you are eligible to file a personal injury case. In most cases, you will need a personal injury lawyer to represent your case and advocate for your rights and compensation.
So, how do you go about choosing the right lawyer for your case? Here is a personal injury case checklist with must-ask questions that will help you understand the lawyer and their work better, ultimately helping you narrow down on the right lawyer.
9 Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing Your Personal Injury Lawyer
1. Can you handle my personal injury case?
All good and honest lawyers know the kind of cases they can work on and the ones they cannot. So, you want to go for a lawyer who is passionate about and has experience in representing personal injury cases.
Because a lawyer who is genuinely invested in their clients and their cases will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome. They will also be willing to take on difficult cases and do justice to them.
2. What do you think about my personal injury case?
Next, it is important to inform the lawyer about the incident that led to the injury. At this point, it is crucial for them to inform you whether your case is legitimate. This is because while you may perceive the incident in one way, it is possible that the law or the details of your case could make it less worth pursuing. Hence, having the opinion of an expert who can look at your case objectively and tell you what your chances are is important.
3. How much will I be involved when you represent my case?
While you may think that a personal injury lawyer does all the work while you just go to get the check, that’s far from the truth. Depending on the particulars of your case, you may have to work closely with the lawyer at every step. This generally depends on the personality of the lawyer and their approach to work. So, you can select a lawyer depending on your involvement preferences.
4. What are your fees?
Most personal injury cases are worked on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not have to pay any legal fees upfront. Instead, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the settlement or award.
This can range from around 30% to 40% of the recovery, depending on the specific terms of the agreement. Some states have limits on the percentage that an attorney can charge for a contingency fee.
5. If we lose the case, will I be charged advanced costs?
Even if your personal injury lawyer works on a contingency basis, there may still be other costs associated with the case that you are responsible for.
These can include filing fees, medical records retrieval fees, and expert witness costs. It is important to ask about these and any potential costs before hiring an attorney.
6. Will my case go to trial?
This is a vital question on your personal injury case checklist. The lawyer you hire must demonstrate the skills and experience to take a case to trial and win, despite the chances of the case being settled out of court. This is because the threat of going to trial can increase the chances of obtaining a fair settlement, be it through the court or by negotiation.
7. How much time will my case take?
Since the duration of cases varies depending on the jurisdiction, court, and the court’s docket, it’s also important for a personal injury lawyer to have a general time frame of how long it will take before the case is actually tried in court.
A good lawyer should be familiar with the local court system and have a good understanding of the same. They should also be willing to keep you informed about any delays or changes in the schedule.
8. What will you need from me during the case?
Your lawyer is responsible for handling the case’s legal aspects. At the same time, you also play an important role in building a successful case.
Many personal injury cases need information and evidence from the victim to build a strong case and prove damages, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. It all helps them develop a strong argument to present to the insurance company or jury.
Good lawyers generally assist you in retrieving these documents and provide you with guidance on the type of information and documents you should provide.
9. Who will be handling my case?
If you contact a large firm, they may have a multitude of attorneys and staff members, and any one of them could be assigned your case. So, you must clearly ask the firm who would be handling the case, their experience in personal injury cases, and if they have ever been disciplined or sued. This will help you ensure that you have an attorney whom you can fully trust.
Need A Personal Injury Lawyer?
Looking for a personal injury lawyer? Our expert team of attorneys comes with years of experience in advocating and winning personal injury cases. Consult Saller Law to discuss the best possible outcome of your case, and how we can guide you to get there.
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Baltimore car accident
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