Personal injury of any kind can throw people off course. Whether it’s a slip and fall or a car crash, you may incur lose wages from your job, expensive medical costs, and dealing with insurance companies.
If you’ve suffered injuries because of an accident or someone else’s negligence. It is best to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer. During this consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your case and ask any questions you may have. The attorney will evaluate your case and help you determine whether you have a valid claim. They’ll also explain the process, including the timeline and the potential outcome.
Ask them! Here are key questions you need to ask when considering a personal injury lawyer.
1. Do You Provide A Free Consultation?
Most personal injury lawyers will offer a chance to discuss your case without any cost. A confidential consultation offers you a chance to get a feel of the lawyer’s personality, deeper insight into your case, and determine whether hiring the specific lawyer is the right move.
You want to make sure that you speak to the lawyer who’ll potentially represent you and not just a paralegal or a case manager. While you can provide basic information to their staff, it’s best if you can consult with a lawyer for free.
2. Are You A Local Lawyer?
Laws and regulations vary by state. For instance, in New Mexico, the statute of limitations to file an injury claim is three years, whereas, in California, it’s two years.
Thus, you want to look for someone in your specific area who’s familiar with the region’s regulations and legal requirements. So, if you’re from or injured in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for instance, then you want to hire a lawyer practicing in the area. An Albuquerque personal injury lawyer ensures that they have experience and knowledge of specific laws and regulations in the area. Plus, working with a lawyer in the area allows for easier face-to-face communication.
3. What Type Of Law Do You Practice?
This question will provide an insight into whether or not you’re hiring a generalist lawyer or a specialist. If the lawyer takes on a wide range of cases from personal injury to criminal law to real estate, then consider looking for another lawyer. As generalist lawyers, they may not have the in-depth knowledge and experience in working on a specific case like yours.
The lawyer you hire should specialize in personal injury law and preferably limit their practice to representing people who’ve been injured in various types of incidents.
4. How Much Do You Charge?
One of the most important things you need to consider is the fee. Hiring a lawyer can be expensive, so you want to filter out your options by asking about their fees and choosing the best value for your needs and budget.
Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay a fee until you get your compensation. When there’s a monetary reward for you, the lawyer simply gets a percentage of the amount as their fee.
5. What Happens If I Lose?
Still connected to the previous question, this question will determine if you’re responsible for any case-related costs.
There are litigation costs in every case, particularly if your case is brought up in court. The longer the case goes on, the higher the cost will be. So, when interviewing a personal injury lawyer, you need to ask about their policy regarding these expenses.
Whether you win or lose your case, there’ll be costs for medical record retrieval, filing, and other clerical activities. Whether you win or lose, some lawyers will charge you for these costs, while others won’t.
Thus, you need to ask your lawyer about their policy for these out-of-pocket costs, whether your case wins or loses.
6. How Long Will It Take?
Settlement negotiations may take quite a while, particularly if the client has suffered severe damage and injuries.
It isn’t easy to provide an accurate timeline, but your lawyer may provide a rough estimate based on past experiences or similar cases. After all, there are so many variables to consider, including the complexity of the case, court calendars, the opposing party’s attitude and willingness to settle, and many more.
7. If My Case Goes To Trial, Will You Be Able To Represent Me?
It’s in everyone’s interest to settle the case. However, if your insurance company or if the opposing party refuses to settle, or perhaps you’re not satisfied with the compensation, then your case may be taken to court. If that’s the case, you want to know if your lawyer has the experience to represent you in court.
Takeaway
Personal injury is a serious matter. Thus, it only makes sense that you put in the effort when looking for a personal injury lawyer to guide and represent you. You want to interview and use the above-mentioned questions before committing to work with them. Doing so ensures that you have a smooth experience and help get the compensation you deserve!
