Personal injuries occur suddenly and can have a devastating impact on the lives of the victim as well as their loved ones. Whether it is a slip and fall accident or a car accident, you may have to miss work and suffer a great deal of pain while recovering from your injury. It may cost you a lot of money to get the medical treatment you need too. Receiving monetary compensation for your injuries will therefore help to take the financial load off you and your loved ones.
One of the best ways to maximize your compensation for a personal injury claim is to hire a seasoned personal injury attorney. Personal injury attorneys understand the law and how to deal with insurance companies. They will fight to get you fair compensation.
However, not all personal injury attorneys are suitable for your claim. The following are some questions to ask a personal injury attorney during consultation in order to determine if they are the right lawyer for your case.
Do I have a case?
Not every personal injury case deserves financial compensation. It is important to establish whether you have a case or not. An experienced personal injury attorney will listen to your description of the events and go through any documented evidence you present to assess the merits of your case. They can give you an estimate of what they think the case is worth and whether it is worth pursuing.
Have you ever handled a case like mine before? What was the outcome?
If the personal injury attorney thinks you have a case, it is important to determine whether they are experienced in litigating cases like yours. Personal injury law covers various types of cases ranging from workers’ compensation to medical malpractice. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should hire an attorney with experience handling car accident cases. It is also best to hire an attorney that has experience handling cases similar to yours.
Experience is not the only important factor. They should have a high success rate in the cases they have handled. You can be more confident with a lawyer that has successfully litigated similar cases.
Can you handle my case?
A good lawyer will know their limits and be honest about it. They will know if they have the expertise, manpower, time and resources to pursue your case. They will tell you whether they can handle your case or not.
It is important to be clear about who will be handling your case, especially when you approach a law firm with multiple lawyers and paralegals. You will want to know who to follow up with and ensure that your case is being handled by an experienced and qualified lawyer.
What is your fee?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they will not charge you for their services upfront. Their fee will be charged as a percentage of your monetary compensation if you win.
Contingency varies depending on the lawyers. Experienced lawyers charge up to 40%. However, this fee can be negotiated down.
If you’re searching for an attorney, be sure to ask the questions above during your consultation to identify the best lawyer for your case.