Getting hurt because of someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing can feel unfair, especially when medical bills and pain keep increasing. In such a situation, the only way to get justice might be to go to court and demand for compensation.
This calls for you to arm yourself with a personal injury lawyer. Since many firms say they are the best, finding the right attorney can be challenging.
The last thing you want is to hire the wrong attorney and end up wasting time and money, not to mention losing your case.
To avoid this, you should be ultra cautious when hiring an attorney. A good rule of thumb is to ask as many questions as possible during the hiring stage so that you separate the wheat from the chaff.
Which are some of the excellent questions to ask? Here they are:
How long have you been handling these types of cases?
Experience is an important factor that can impact not only the course of your case, but also your total pay. A skilled and experienced lawyer will know what problems you will likely face during the lawsuit which ensures that they are well prepared.
Also, lawyers with a lot of experience usually have an extensive network of contacts who can help them gather, analyze, and strengthen your case. This means you wouldn’t have to spend money to build a strong case.
Any lawyer will tell you they have been practicing for several years, but you shouldn’t take their word. Instead, you should go further and prove that they have been operating for the long they are saying and they have the relevant experience.
As you are talking with the attorney, ask for referrals of past clients. You should contact the clients and know their experience and success.
You can also know whether the attorney is experienced by talking to other lawyers in the industry.
The bar association in your area can also help you know whether the attorney is experienced and capable of handling your case.
For peace of mind that you are in the hands of the right person, work with an attorney that has been around the personal injury world for a long time.
Have you handled cases like mine before?
Most people don’t know that personal injury law is a larger umbrella that covers more than one case. When hiring an attorney, you don’t want a general lawyer experienced in all areas of personal injury as they might not be the right fit for you.
Instead, you need a lawyer who has dealt with cases like yours. For example, if you had a dog bite accident, you want an attorney who has previously handled dog bite cases.
Even if the lawyer you come across is qualified and has a lot of experience in car accidents, it would be unwise to hire them as chances are high you won’t get the results you want.
The same way you should hire an attorney specializing in the exact personal injury case is the same way you should get one conversant with the local laws.
If you got hurt in Florida, your first step should be to talk to Reep Law firm or any other personal injury lawyer in Florida, as they are more knowledgeable about the area’s personal injury laws.
What will happen if my case goes to trial?
This is an important but often overlooked factor when looking for a lawyer. Since most personal injury cases are settled out of court, you can expect most lawyers to ensure your case will settle quickly. But if you and the defendant can’t agree, your case will go to court.
When talking with your attorney, ask what will happen if your case goes to trial. When you ask this question, you will learn two important things.
First, it will allow you to see how the attorney deals with court cases. Second, it will give you an idea of how confident the lawyer is that they will win in court. If the attorney wants to settle quickly or talk around the issue, you should talk to another lawyer for better advice.
What challenges can you see in my case?
Every case is different, and each case will have its challenges and problems. Even though it’s unlikely that a lawyer will give you a lot of information in the first meeting, they should at least mention any hiccups they see in your case.
If a lawyer says your case will go smoothly without any problems, that should be a red flag. The legal system is always different, and even in the simplest cases, even the smallest issues require the input of an expert.
If you can see problems in your case or feel a certain detail might be problematic, you should get an attorney to shed more light on it.
How much do you charge for your services?
You need to know right away how you will pay your personal injury lawyer.
Most of the time, fees depend on how your case turns out. In most cases, lawyers take between 33% and 40% of the money they help you get back.
The attorney won’t charge you anything if you don’t win your case.
Before your case starts, find out how your potential lawyer usually works, and make sure it’s something you’re comfortable with.
Also, ask if you will have to pay costs no matter what happens with your case. Some law firms will pay for these costs even if you don’t win, but others will make you pay for them yourself. To avoid surprises, get these details out of the way before working together.
You should note that attorneys may take advantage of you and ask you to pay an upfront fee. If this happens, you should avoid the attorney and get a better one who will be the right fit.
Final thought
The questions you ask before hiring an attorney will help you know whether you are working with the right professional. As a rule of thumb, always take your time and ensure that the attorney you work with is the right one for your case.