Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney During Your First Consultation
If you plan to file an injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries, you might consider hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you during negotiations and in court if the case proceeds to trial.
A personal injury attorney also helps you gather the evidence you need to support your claim and does all the paperwork. The professionals can also help you avoid costly mistakes by offering crucial legal advice.
Most attorneys will arrange for a consultation to learn more about your case. A consultation is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have about the attorney and your case.
Below are some questions to ask your attorney during your first consultation.
What Injury Cases Do You Handle?
Since personal injury covers a wide range of practice areas, an attorney can focus in one branch, thus gaining more experience and expertise than attorneys who handle all injury cases. The best attorney is one who focuses in cases similar to yours. For example, if you want compensation for injuries from a car accident, look for an attorney experienced in car accident cases.
Ask the attorney about the number of cases they have handled in their area of focus to determine their experience.
How Is Your Success Rate?
The best personal injury attorney ensures that their clients get maximum compensation, even if this means going to court. Instead of accepting low offers from insurance companies, such attorneys have a record of completed cases in which victims received a maximum settlement.
While your attorney cannot guarantee success, a high success rate shows that the attorney is dedicated to fighting for their clients' compensation rights. Therefore, avoid hiring an attorney who cannot mention several big cases they have won.
How Much Do You Charge for Your Services?
Never hire an attorney without asking about their payment policy. This question is essential, as it can prevent disagreements in the future. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee but might request case expenses upfront.
If the attorney works on a contingency fee basis, ask about their percentages. The standard contingency fee is 33.3 percent for cases settled out of court and 40% for cases settled in court. However, these figures may vary among different law firms.
How Much Is My Claim Worth?
While an attorney may not fully answer this question during your first meeting, they should tell you about the factors that will
determine the value of your claim. For example, if your injury led to a permanent disability, you should get a higher amount than someone who sustained minor injuries.
Other factors that your attorney should consider include:
- Your economic losses
- Your case's strength
- Your share of comparative fault
Do You Have the Resources Required to Ensure a Win?
In addition to experience and legal knowledge, an attorney should have access to resources that help them build a strong case. For example, most reputable law firms work closely with investigators and health practitioners to avoid the challenges of gathering the evidence necessary for injury cases.
Can You Go to Trial?
Though most personal injury cases end in the out-of-court negotiation stage, your attorney should be ready to proceed to trial if the insurance company won't offer a satisfactory settlement. Insurance companies might offer better settlement amounts if your attorney intends to take the case to trial.
Since your attorney plays a significant role in ensuring the success of your injury claim, ensure that your chosen one ticks all the boxes for a reputable attorney. Use the questions above to gauge an attorney's ability to protect your interests during negotiations and in court.
At Hoines Law Office, P.C., we have a strong team of experienced and friendly attorneys who simplify our client's fight for compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
