It is sad how accidents occur when you least expect them, but when they do happen, there are a few things you need to know. Suppose you or a person you know is injured, in this case, the first thing to do is take the person to the hospital and then contact a reliable personal injury attorney from Page & Eichenblatt, P.A. Still, before calling the lawyer, there are vital questions you need to keep in the back of your mind related to personal injury law.
Below are questions you need to ask an experienced personal injury attorney.
- What Are the Different Specializations Under the Personal Injury Law?
Just like any other profession, attorneys have different areas of specialization. Under personal injury law, there are slip and fall accidents, auto collision accidents, and so forth. When looking to hire a personal injury attorney, ensure you settle for a reliable attorney who specifically handles personal injury cases and, to be more precise, one that has experience in dealing with cases similar to yours.
- How Many Cases Can a Personal Injury Attorney Handle?
Many accidents will happen in a day. That’s why it is necessary to find out whether the personal injury attorney you are looking forward to working with is available to create time for your case or is busy. Lawyers have busy schedules, and it is, therefore, crucial to inquire about how much time he or she is willing to devote to your case. Ensure to insist that your case deserves urgency and request him or her to be honest about it to avoid future feuds.
- What If They Delegate a Junior Personal Injury Lawyer?
When hiring a personal injury lawyer, you will likely meet a senior personal injury attorney on your first visit but doesn’t mean he or she will be the one handling your case. You need to inquire and be sure about who will handle your case because most of the lawyers who attend your free consultations are experienced and are there to convince you to work together. They are also in business and want to take as many cases as possible. Emphasize you need someone you will be directly in touch with whenever you want to ask about your case’s progress. And if it’s a junior personal injury lawyer, inquire who will supervise him or her.
- Is Your Personal Injury Attorney Experienced?
Yes, they might be a specialized personal injury lawyer but don’t qualify to be an expert. Ask if your injury lawyer has handled cases similar to yours. How many were they, and how did they turn out? It will give you a sense of assurance for a positive outcome about your case. Past results will not guarantee a win in your case but, by requesting to see how past cases turned out will be one step to getting a proficient attorney. Thanks to most authorities, your injury lawyer can now access information on previous cases and their results.
- How Long Will Your Case Take?
Depending on your case, physical injuries, pain and suffering, career, and financial strain, you should ask about how long your case will take. Your injury attorney might not be aware of the exact time but should give a rough estimate of how long similar cases take. Time is a vital piece of information; you need it to plan your new schedule and know when you will attend legal proceedings.
- How Much Will You Pay?
One of the most crucial questions you need to know before hiring an injury lawyer is how much you are willing to get out of your pocket. Most injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. In simple terms, it means you will only pay after you are compensated for your damages. What if you get no compensation, who pays for the out of pocket costs? Ensure you know who is responsible for these costs to avoid future disagreements. If you recover your damages, a personal injury attorney will take a 40% or less percentage of the compensation depending on your agreement.
- How Much is Worth Your Case?
Looking at your case, you cannot estimate its value, but a personal injury lawyer can calculate the damages and give an estimate of your case’s value. On that same note, avoid unrealistic figures and work with what’s possible.
- What is My Role in a Lawsuit?
Whether you are busy to get to a legal proceeding or not, inquire about your role in a lawsuit and what you are expected to do. Ensure your injury lawyer explains the details to you so you can be on the same page.