The cost of work injuries in the United States in 2019 tallied $171 billion. This figure includes $35.5 billion in medical expenses and $53.9 billion in lost productivity.
On your end, these massive costs are a morass of bills and questions that need an immediate address, all while you may be dealing with hospital stays, rehabilitation, and any trying to get your life back together after your personal injury.
So, knowing what to ask a personal injury lawyer before you reach out is of tantamount importance.
How do you find a personal injury lawyer near me? Or how long does a personal injury case take? These are just some of the questions you may want to ask the attorney.
In the following article, we’ll detail five questions you should ask to determine the best personal injury attorney near you.
1. Money Matters
Start with what the personal injury lawyer will cost you. In general, you’ll pay nothing because they work in contingency. So if you win the case, they recoup their costs. If you lose, the lawyer gets paid nothing.
The contingency fee percentage depends on the firm, and there may be extra fees depending on additional resources the lawyer may need to call on to pursue the case. Whatever the case, make sure to inquire about the contingency percentage and other fees at the onset.
Also, when it comes to money and awards, you should be wary of attorneys that can predict how much a settlement might tally or that issue a guarantee on awards. All cases are different and will fall in line with your unique case’s circumstances.
2. Attorney Experience
Is your lawyer an actual personal injury lawyer? First, you should ask what types of cases they have litigated before and see if they match your specific circumstances.
According to Liptonlaw.com, areas of personal injury expertise include:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and falls
- Dog attacks
- Defective products
- And workplace accidents
3. Could the Case Go to Trial?
The answer to this question is almost invariably yes. However, an attorney that promises a quick, “easy” settlement may not have a complete handle on how these proceedings work. Depending on your case and other factors, like insurance and criminal issues, the case could take a while to resolve and could go to court.
A prepared personal injury attorney should always have the client prepared for a trial even if they believe a settlement is a likely outcome.
4. Who Will Handle My Case?
This is an important question because even though you may see an advertisement for an attorney’s firm on TV, you may get handed off to a less experienced associate once you commit.
5. How Many Cases Have You Won?
While winning isn’t everything in sports, it means quite a lot when you need a personal injury lawyer to right a wrong done to you. Therefore, when selecting your personal injury attorney, you want to ensure that they have extensive courtroom experience and can produce evidence of their expertise.
Selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer
The best personal injury lawyer is the one that has experience litigating your type of case, and that will ensure that your trust is not misplaced. Experience, reliability, and a history of experience are important factors to consider when choosing the right attorney.
Don’t be shy to ask for references from the personal injury attorney to verify their claims. Satisfied clients are a hallmark of a competent and effective personal injury lawyer.
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