If you’ve been in an accident that caused you serious physical or mental harm, you may be entitled to compensation. The more severe your injuries, the more money you’ll be able to receive.
To ensure that you receive the money you deserve, you need to work with a personal injury attorney. Then again, it’s essential to do your research before deciding which one to hire.
If you aren’t sure how to begin your search, keep reading. Here are the six most essential questions you need to ask before hiring a personal injury lawyer.
1. What Are Your Qualifications?
It is essential to ask a personal injury lawyer about their qualifications before hiring them. You want to know if they are board certified in personal injury law and if they are a member of any legal organizations.
2. What Kind of Experience Do You Have With Personal Injury Cases?
Ask the lawyer about their experience with similar cases. You want to know that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and legal issues.
3. What Is Your Success Rate in Personal Injury Cases?
This question can help you gauge how experienced the lawyer is and how likely they are to win your case. Let them give you both the number of personal injury cases they’ve handled in total and how many of those they won.
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4. Do You Have Trial Experience?
The Bureau of Justice Statistics says about 3% to 4 % of personal injury cases go to trial. This makes it important to ask about the lawyer’s trial experience.
First, you want to be sure that your attorney is comfortable and experienced in the courtroom. Second, you want to be sure that they are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Many personal injury cases are settled out of court, but some do end up going to trial. Be sure that your lawyer is prepared to handle your case, no matter what the outcome may be.
5. Can You Give Me Client References?
It’s always wise to ask for client references before you hire a lawyer. You’d like to know about other people’s experiences as clients because that can help you imagine what your own encounters with the attorney might be.
6. How Much Do You Charge for Your Services?
A personal injury attorney will usually charge on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you win a settlement or a court award after a trial.
The amount that goes to the lawyer is usually around 1/3 of the money you receive, and in most cases, there will be no upfront costs.
Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is important to ask the above questions before hiring a personal injury lawyer. The more you know about the attorney, the better you can assess their suitability for you and your case.
The idea is to consult with at least two lawyers in your area and compare them before choosing. Before you make that choice, check for personal chemistry. This can be crucial if you’re going to work successfully as a team.
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