This is when a personal injury attorney will take the case, investigate to gather evidence, evaluate the unpredicted expenses caused due to the injury for their client, and then form a case.
The main objective of such a case is to provide the victim with the rightful compensation for the distress.
Now, if you find yourself in any such case, then you have reached the right place. In this excerpt below, we will be discussing some of the top questions you should ask before hiring an attorney.
Top 10 Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer
Questions to ask your personal injury lawyer before going forward with the hiring. Hence to ensure that you are not hiring the wrong kind. After all, accidents mean times of distress, and according to Teaneck personal injury claims you will need the right legal help to be by your side in such times.
1. How Much Do You Charge?
The fees are the ultimate turning point in hiring a lawyer. After all, no matter how good the lawyer is and how they have zero lost cases if you cannot afford them, there is no point in going through their portfolios.
One way to ensure you can afford them is by asking this question at the very beginning of the screening process so that you can proceed forward.
2. How Much Daily Time Will You Devote To My Case?
Most perusal injury lawyers (if you are hiring them from a firm) are not working on one particular case at a time. They have different cases all around the legal circle, therefore, in order to ensure that you are not left in the backseat at the time.
A good attorney will be schedule oriented, and they should be able to give you a fixed time of the day. In this way, you can gather your questions and queries before calling them during the assigned time.
3. When Can I Call You When It Query?
Not every query can wait. There will be emergencies where immediate legal help is required, whether it is talking to the police inspector dealing with the case or medical documentation requiring legal advice.
Don’t forget to ask your attorney about an emergency point of contact. This is when and where you should be calling if there is an emergency and you cannot wait until the scheduled time to get an answer.
4. Do I Need To Go To Trial?
A trial comes after the attorneys representing both parties fail or deny a mutual agreement. The lawyer gives an appeal to the court of law, and if it is accepted, both parties are called for trial.
This is especially common in criminal cases, but with civil cases like personal injury, one should be able to settle mutually. However, if the trial is important for your case, a good personal injury attorney should make you well-versed with courtroom protocols.
You have to understand how the attorney is offering their help without you overtly asking for it.
5. What Is Your Success Rate?
A success rate of an attorney will decide your success in the case. However, it is impossible for any attorney to have a 100% success rate. A solid 80% is required for a client to trust them. If an attorney has a few failed cases, don’t fall shy of asking about the reason behind these failed cases.
This will give you a fair idea of how those cases failed. The goal is to understand the difference between your case and the case that they failed to settle. If there is no proximity in their relationship, it shouldn’t matter.
6. Will You Be Handling My Case?
If you are going to a firm, generally, there is one person who speaks to the clients and provides legal expertise. However, when you hire the firm to run your case, you are met with a totally different person.
Now, there is nothing wrong with that, but comfort is a big deal when choosing an attorney. You were probably comfortable sharing your case with the first attorney, and not having to talk to another representative is putting a bitter taste in your mouth.
Thus, it is better to be sure of the person who will be handling your case before hiring them.
7. Can I Speak To Any Of Your Past Clients?
A past client’s feedback can do wonders for a lawyer’s reputation. Yes, you often see reviews on social media or other public domains, but nothing like talking to the people who have had winning cases before.
You will be able to understand what it is like to work with an attorney firsthand. How empathetic are they towards their clients, and on what grounds are they providing legal help?
Attorneys who work at a credible firm and are confident about their success rate do insist that the potential client should speak to the client.
8. If I Lose, Do I Have To Pay For Case Related Expenses?
There are certain costs pertaining to the case, whether it is evidential expenses or others that the firm is initially paying for.
After a win, attorneys generally take fees from the percentage of the won compensation. However, when it comes to a lost case, many would wonder what happens to the fees.
Therefore, understanding what would happen during a loss is also important while scouting for a personal injury lawyer.
9. Can You Help With My Insurances?
Sometimes people need negotiation assistance after a personal injury case, especially when they are in distress and speaking to an insurance agent.
Many make the mistake of accepting the first compensation. This is why an attorney by your side can be of great help in negotiating the claims better.
Do ask if they provide such help.
Events & Accidents For Which You Should Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
Events & Accidents For Which You Should Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer