Important Questions You Should Ask When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

May 6, 2021

Most people will go through life without hiring a lawyer. But after suffering a personal injury, an attorney can help you get fair compensation from the person or business responsible for your injuries and their insurer.

Before you entrust a lawyer with your injury claim, you will talk to several lawyers. These consultations allow you to gather the information needed to choose a lawyer.

Here are some important questions you should ask when hiring a personal injury attorney.

Questions About the Lawyer

You should always ask questions about the lawyer so you know what the lawyer will do and the fee you will pay.

How Much Will I Pay in Legal Fees?

This is the top issue you should discuss in the initial consultation. Neither you nor the lawyer benefits from any misunderstandings about fees.

Most injury lawyers charge a contingent fee. This means that you do not need to pay anything upfront. It also means that you do not need to pay unless you settle or win your case.

But make sure you understand what percentage of your compensation will be used to pay your contingent fee. And ask about who pays for costs like court fees and stenographers.

Do You Have Experience with Cases Like This One?

Lawyers handle a lot of cases. But not every case is the same. A lawyer will handle a rideshare accident differently than an ordinary car accident. You should ask the lawyer about prior experience with similar cases to make sure the lawyer can handle your case.

Questions About the Claim

Most lawyers will answer general questions about your claim at an initial consultation. They might not get into specifics because they will not have reviewed all the evidence. But you will still be able to talk about your case in generalities.

Can I Get Compensation for My Injuries?

A lawyer will always give you unbiased advice. The answer to this question will usually include both the strengths and weaknesses of your case. If it only includes the strengths, you should consider talking to another lawyer.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Lawyers cannot guarantee an outcome of a case. If a lawyer assures you during an initial consultation that you will get a certain amount, you might want to keep looking. Instead, seek out a lawyer who explains the factors that go into a settlement or damage award and gives you a range of what they were able to get in similar cases.