There are now over 50,600 personal injury lawyers across the US. While searching for a personal injury law office, vetting every local firm can take time. Rushing, on the other hand, could leave you with an inexperienced personal injury lawyer.
Before hiring a lawyer, ask these nine questions. Asking these questions will help you find a personal injury law firm you can depend on. They can maximize your claim, ensuring you don't pay out of pocket to cover losses.
Start your search for a law firm by asking these questions today.
- What Area Do You Specialize In?
Before anything else, take a moment to consider the details of your case. What type of personal injury lawsuit are you pursuing? For example:
- Medical malpractice
- Auto accident
- Premise liability
- Product liability
- Elderly abuse and neglect
- Wrongful death
- Workplace injury
- Liable and slander
Medical malpractice claims can include misdiagnosis, medication errors, surgical errors, and birthing errors. Auto accidents can include cars, bikes, motorcycles, Uber, Lyft, and pedestrians. A product liability claim might involve food, medication, toys, or automotive parts.
Specifying the details of your case can help you hire an attorney who specializes in cases like yours.
When interviewing law firms, determine what type of personal injury cases they take the most often. Make sure they have a strong track record of wins for similar cases.
Confirm they handled cases like yours recently, too. Otherwise, they might not remain informed about relevant laws and procedures. A lawyer with relevant, timely expertise will have an easier time strengthening and winning your case.
- How Long Have You Practiced?
Before hiring an attorney, confirm that they have years of experience in the industry. First, determine when they earned their license. Confirm their license is up-to-date by visiting your local bar association website.
If the attorneys on your list don't have an active license for the state where your case is filed, keep searching. Prioritize hiring a personal injury attorney with years of experience trying cases in the area, too. These lawyers will have local, professional contacts that might benefit your case.
For example, your lawyer might contact a medical expert or private investigator. A medical expert can discuss the injuries you sustained as a result of the accident. An investigator might gather evidence that proves the other party was at fault.
Your lawyer might even have professional relationships with other attorneys at local law firms. These relationships could work in your favor.
Some laws vary based on where a case is handled as well. If your attorney doesn't have local experience, they might neglect to consider location-specific laws and procedures.
- Do You Have Courtroom Experience?
When learning about each lawyer's experience, confirm that they have courtroom experience as well. Some lawyers are nervous about handling cases in court. To avoid going to court, a lawyer might accept a lowball offer on your behalf instead.
They might rush through the process of settling and closing your case without considering your best interests and goals.
Ask the personal injury law firm about the last three cases like yours they handled in court. Consider the outcome of those cases.
- Who Will Work My Case?
When consulting a personal injury law office regarding your case, you might speak with one lawyer, only to work with another. Before leaving, determine who will take the lead on your case. Ask about that lawyer's current caseload.
If the lawyer is juggling too many cases at once, they might neglect to thoroughly handle your case.
Make sure a seasoned lawyer with a strong track record will take the lead on your lawsuit.
- What's Your Track Record?
Learn more about the law firm's history with personal injury cases like yours. Determine how many similar cases they've handled and won in the past year. Determine which lawyers at the firm have the strongest track records, too.
Ask how much each lawyer was able to win for their clients. Asking can help you maintain realistic expectations regarding your case.
Finding a law firm that has a history of wins behind them will help you feel confident in their abilities to win your case.
- What Memberships Do You Have?
Once you determine who will handle your case, learn more about their credentials.
Determine if the law firm or lawyer is a member of any national and state legal organizations. Some organizations specialize in representing injured individuals, such as the American Association of Justice.
These lawyers will have additional training relevant to your case.
- Can You Provide References?
Ask each law firm or attorney for three references. Interview each client regarding their experience with the lawyer. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time.
Consider asking questions about the law firm's history, law's case history, experience, and expertise.
A law firm and attorney with a glowing reputation will strive to maintain that reputation.
- What Legal Strategy Would You Recommend?
Discuss the details of your case with an attorney during a consultation appointment. Ask what legal strategy they would recommend. Ask how much they think they can win for your case, too.
Don't believe an attorney that gives you a guarantee or instant estimate. Instead, they should review the details of your case. They should ask for documents relevant to lost wages, property damage, and medical expenses, too.
They should also consider your lost quality of life and pain and suffering.
- How Much Will This Cost?
Ask each law firm about their fee structure. Some firms work on a contingency fee basis. You won't have to pay an attorney unless they win your case.
If they do win, you'll only provide them with a percentage of your lawsuit settlement as payment.
Don't choose the cheapest law firm you find. Review your notes to find a team that can maximize your claim.
Find the Best Personal Injury Law Office for Your Case Today
Don't rush when hiring a personal injury office. Instead, ask these questions to thoroughly interview your options. The answers you gather can help you make an informed choice.
You can choose a firm that can win your personal injury lawsuit.
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