6 Important Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer

Published on: 19 July 2018 Last Updated on: 22 June 2021

The worst has happened. You got injured on the job, or your spouse hurt you in a fight.

Something happened to you while you were at the dentist, or you had a severe reaction to a latte.

Regardless, health care is expensive. There’s a chance that you’re not able to cover the bill.

You start wondering if there’s some other way to pay for your medical expenses. You talk to your company or ask for compensation. But no one is willing to do anything.

If this sounds like you or someone you love, it’s time to consider legal action. You can contact a personal injury lawyer who will help you get what you deserve.

But before you hire anyone, check out our six questions to ask a personal injury lawyer.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Sometimes we get hurt, and it’s because of our own stupidity. But there are times when the blame rests on another party. This can be an individual, a company, or even a doctor. When this happens, it’s time to hire a personal injury lawyer.

There are many different kinds of lawyers who can help you. Choosing the right one depends on the personal injury questions you have.

Most personal injury lawyers can handle a car crash case. But what happens if there are many parties involved or if there is severe damage? You’ll need a lawyer with more experience in your type of case.

If a doctor injured you, then hire a lawyer with experience in medical malpractice. At least they need to know about medical procedures and misdiagnoses.

If you got hurt by a piece of machinery, then look for a lawyer with a background in corporate and negligence law.

Do some research into the nature of your case. That way you’ll be able to find the right personal injury lawyer for your needs.

What Information Do I Need Before I Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Keep in mind that scheduling a consultation with a lawyer is not the same as hiring them. You’re asking them in-depth questions about their background and career. You’d do the same for any contractor or real estate agent.

But before you sit down with a lawyer, it will help you to have a few things prepared.

First, you’ll need to record the details of your case. Write down everything that’s related to what happened. Describe the events in the order they happened, and be as detailed as possible.

If you need help, think of the 4 W’s. Who was involved? Where did the accident happen? When did it take place? What were you doing? In fact, what was everyone doing?

Try to be as factual as possible. If you lie, it will come out in court. Then you’ll be in trouble.

Gather any evidence you can. This includes things like:

Police reports, tickets, arrest information, and toxicology results
Eye-witness reports
Photographs and videos
Bills, receipts, medical records, and any diagnoses

Getting all this information in one folder will help you and the personal injury lawyer.

6 Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is as personal as hiring a doctor or a therapist. It’s an expensive service, and you want to make sure you have the right lawyer for you. So check out our six questions to ask a personal injury lawyer before you hire them.

1. Have You Taken a Case Like Mine Before?

This is one of the most important questions to ask an attorney before hiring them. You want to make sure your case is in good hands, so don’t be afraid to ask about their experience.

Your lawyer should have years of experience working with cases like yours. It’s also important that they have experience winning cases, or making successful settlements.

Ask them for a reference list of all their cases. They should also have endorsements from past clients.

If your internal radar goes off, you can look up an attorney’s disciplinary records online. Some states need a lawyer’s bar number to do this. But other states like Georgia will list the lawyer’s name.

2. What is Your Opinion of My Case?

In other words, does this personal injury attorney think you’ll win?

This is one of the more dubious questions to ask a personal injury lawyer, but it’s an essential one. Their answer will help you make your decision about whether to hire this attorney.

You want them to give you an honest answer, of course. No decent lawyer wants to waste their time on a hopeless case, even if you are paying them.

They should give you an objective opinion about whether you’ll win your case based on the evidence you’ve given them.

That said, ask this question with an open mind. It’s easy for the victim of an accident to think they deserve compensation. If a personal injury lawyer is telling you it won’t happen, there might be some merit in that.

3. Will My Case Go to Trial?

Only 4%-5% of personal injury cases go to trial. That means there’s a good chance your case will settle out of court.

But no matter what the odds, a good personal injury lawyer will prepare to go to trial. In fact, it’s a red flag if the lawyer starts talking about settling out of court from the get-go.

Trials can be long and expensive for you. But if you have to go to court you want a lawyer who’s experienced. Ask them about their record in court, and whether the case won by a judge or jury.

Your lawyer should also be able to give you a timeline of how long a court proceeding takes.

While each case is unique, an experienced lawyer knows how things go at the local courthouse.

Regardless of whether you go to court, you need to talk with your lawyer about your level of involvement. Some people want to be at every meeting and deposition, but most lawyers won’t allow it. It’s often best for you to stay on the sidelines and trust your lawyer.

4. What are Your Fees?

This is another important question to ask an attorney. If you can’t afford this lawyer, then you’ll need to look for someone else.

A typical personal injury lawyer earns money based on contingency fees. That means you won’t pay any fees unless you win money damages in the lawsuit.

Once you do win the case, the personal injury lawyer will take a percentage of the money. This can range from 25% – 40% of anything you win from the lawsuit.

While this is a great incentive for your lawyer to win your case, it might not be the only bill. There are other costs you should ask about, like case-related costs. These are also known as “out of pocket” fees. Ask your lawyer about these fees, and who will pay them in case you lose.

Do not work with a personal injury lawyer who charges by the hour. These kinds of payment plans can get expensive in personal injury cases.

5. How Much is My Case Worth?

An experienced personal injury lawyer should give you an estimate on how much your case is worth. They’ll base this estimate on cases they’ve already won or worked on.

Most personal injury lawyers won’t give you a hard number to work with, but instead give you some kind of range. They need to explain how the different factors in your case will affect the bottom line.

You can also ask them point-blank whether they’ll make more for you than their competitors.

After all, this isn’t only about getting justice for you. It’s also about who’s going to pay your medical bills.

Money is always hard to talk about, but you have to do it. You can discover more about discussing your case worth by doing some research. Make sure that you factor in the lawyer’s contingency fee when you talk about how much you can make.

6. Who is Handling My Case?

This question is vital if you’re working with a large law firm. This is because that lawyer you spent all that time getting to know? He might not be the one representing you in court.

This might help you because you’ll have a larger team working on your case. Lawyers all specialize in different things. If your case is a complicated one, there’s a good chance it’ll get passed around the firm.

But that’s why it’s important to know who is handling your case, and why. You want to know who you need to contact in each situation. You should also ask about the track record of every lawyer on your case.

If your lawyer has less experience than the one you spoke to, ask about who is supervising them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or voice your concerns.

Want More Tips About Hiring a Lawyer?

We have lots of informative blog posts on our site about the legal field. If you want to know about questions to ask a personal injury lawyer or other legal tips, check out our blog.

We also have articles on everything else you can imagine. From social media to entertainment to real estate, we have you covered. Take a look at our site for more great posts.

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Picking the Right Law Firm for You and Your Family

The law field is a very lucrative industry in the modern business world. No wonder you will see so many law firms cropping up within the region. Most of these firms have very big names but the most important thing is the level of service provision. Here are some tips on how to choose the right law firm for you and your family. Area of Specialization Different law firms specialize in various areas of practice. For instance, you cannot expect a personal injury lawyer to handle a real estate case with high levels of precision. You need a specialized firm to handle your case depending on the nature of the legal battle. You can find both general and specialized law firms. Most people will advise you to go for a specialized law firm whenever you are looking for legal expertise. However, even a general firm should have specialized attorneys in your area of interest. For instance, a firm like Wyskiel, Boc, Tillinghast & Bolduc handles cases related to injury, social security disability, compensation of workers, trust, probate & estate plans, zoning and real estate transactions, divorce, child custody, and business law issues very well. You can be sure that such a company will handle different legal issues for your family without compromising on the quality of service. Level of Experience You also want to look at the number of years the preferred firm has been in operation. A good firm should have been in this industry for several years. You need to hire a brand that has passed the test of time. a high level of experience shows that the company has handled different types of cases. It is easier to evaluate a firm that has been in existence for a long period. Therefore, you should not hesitate to ask the law firm how long they have been operating a business in this industry. The legal experts should also share with you some of their success stories and pitfalls over time. It is important that you consult with an attorney and find out the exact court hours in an experience that they have had. Higher the years of experience, more suited are they to represent your legal case. A good experience is also a sign of extensive networking. In other words, someone who has been in the legal circuits for a long time, knows the law enforcement officials, all the judges, and all the other officials working in the judicial departments. This can help you with everything from favorable treatment with the police to getting your paperwork filed in time. Professional Background of the Practitioners You also need to hire well-trained legal professionals to serve you and your family. Professional training forms the foundation of a successful legal career. On the other hand, the right experience is the building block for legal practice. Therefore, you need to combine the right training and experience to get the best that the market has to deliver. Make sure the attorneys who are serving you have the right credentials from leading law training universities in the region. Certification A good law firm should be certified by a professional body that operates within your region. Certification talks so much about the level of professionalism. Confirm whether both the law firm and individual lawyers are certified. Always choose certified legal practitioners over those who are not certified. Licensing of the Firm This point may seem to be obvious but you need to do your due diligence and make sure that you are employing a licensed professional. Licensing shows that the firm has met some minimum requirements to operate in the industry. No licensed business wants to engage in non-ethical practices because the authority may withdraw the permit. You will be sure of being in safe hands if you choose a law firm whose licensure status is up to date. Pricing Cheap is not always the best when looking for the right law firm. The most important thing is to get the value for your money. look for a law firm that will give you the best service at the most cost-effective price. The only way to achieve this objective is to do a lot of research on the available law firms in the region. Reputation Some businesses over-promise clients but end up underdelivering. Reputation in the market is critical when looking for a lawyer. Go through the company website and other online sources to see what past and existing customers have to say about the service provider. The good thing with past clients is that they will always give an objective view of the kind of services they receive. Easy-to-Understand Legal Advice A key point missing is easy-to-understand advice. Sometimes, legal language can be overwhelming. When choosing a law firm, choosing one that explains things clearly is important. You should feel comfortable asking questions and understanding what’s happening with your case at every step. Building Trust Through Communication It’s also important that your lawyer is someone you can talk to openly. Look for a law firm that stays in touch, keeps you updated, and takes time to listen. You don’t want to feel left in the dark or like another case file. Personalized Attention Some law firms may juggle many clients simultaneously, which can lead to your case being deprioritized. Ensure that your chosen firm gives your case the personal attention it deserves. Ask questions about case management, such as who will handle your case and how often you’ll receive updates. Carefulness is a Must! You need to be extremely careful when choosing a lawyer for you and your family. The above tips will help you to make informed decisions when looking for the right law firm. The most important thing is to get everything right from the onset so that you don’t regret it afterward. Read More: Choosing & Relying Upon The Best Personal Injury Lawyers Citizenship By Investment Program At CSB Group

How To Settle Claims In Case Of A Personal Injury Incident?

In the last few years, cases of personal injury have shot up dramatically. This has coincided with incidents of growing traffic-related accidents the world over. In most instances, the victims of such incidents are average middle-class individuals who do not have enough savings to pay for their Insurances, Medical Bills and other expenditures. There have been many reported cases where the person who has been affected with the injury is the sole bread earner of the family. In such instances, the entire family ends up suffering for an act that they were not responsible for in any way. This is why more and more people are turning to Personal Injury Attorneys. In this article, we will look at why people should take help from a personal injury attorney. We will also look at what some of the cases where a personal injury attorney can help you get your rightful claim and due from the perpetrator. Personal Injury Attorney: Meaning and Definition A Personal Injury Attorney is a ‘civil litigator’ who presents settlement cases before a legal proceeding in front of a judge on behalf of an aggrieved party or individual. These attorneys specialize in what is known as ‘tort law’, which is a specialized law that deals with accidents or injuries arising out of negligence on the part of other individuals, companies, and corporations. The legal system is a complicated one. Big companies and corporations exploit poor people and families be manipulating them in legal loopholes. Often these people do not have anyone to represent him or her in an affordable fashion. This is where personal injury lawyers become a helpful service for people who are exploited and afflicted by the system. Other than private companies, Insurance Corporations also manipulate the claims of the affected in a major way. They confuse people with paperwork and several loopholes and aim to give them no insurance money, for which they have been paying premiums. A personal injury attorney also fights against the corrupt practices of these insurance and settlement companies. What are some cases where a Personal Injury Attorney can help? As we have already stated, a personal injury attorney can deal with a number of injuries and accident-related cases. These cases can emerge on account of the negligence of the factory owner, company owner, or the industry in which the individual is working. Their services can also be availed of when there is a car-related accident. We often think that personal injury is only physical in nature. However, in the last few years, mental and psychological related cases are being reported from different parts of the country. In addition, cases of sexual harassment are also very rampant. A personal injury lawyer can help in addressing such cases. Many times, people fail to think that sexual or emotional harassment can end up destroying the person from within. They become mentally depressed and this takes a toll on their professional productivity. Conclusion: It is important to select a personal injury lawyer, which is affordable, humane and sensitive to the needs of the aggrieved. While you are in the process of selecting one, please do your research accordingly. It is also important that you ask them for references of successful cases that they have practiced. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney can help you address many of the concerns arising out of physical injury, harassment, exploitation, and emotional turmoil. Read Also: Things About A Personal Injury Lawyer How To Choose A Personal Injury Lawyer Learn How Personal Injury Claims Are Resolved In 5 Steps 3 Reasons Why You Might Need A Family Lawyer How To Market Your Personal Injury Law Firm On Pinterest 7 Things You Should Know About DUI Charges: Can You Go To Prison As A Result?

Why You Should Never Try to Defend Yourself in Court

After an arrest, some defendants may consider trying to represent themselves in court to save money. However, this is not going to work out well and could mean they not only end up convicted but receive the maximum penalties as well. It's not a good idea for any defendant to try to handle the court case on their own, Here are the reasons why you should never try to defend yourself in court: It's Too Easy to Make Incriminating Statements Defendants tend to hope they can talk their way out of an arrest; or convince a judge to drop the charges. However, while doing this, many will inadvertently say something that proves to the arresting officers or the judge that they're guilty. A lawyer, on the other hand, knows what to say to avoid incriminating statements. Ready to learn more about how a lawyer can help? You can find more at hopelefeber.com now. There's Tons of Paperwork and Deadlines Court cases involve a ton of paperwork, all of which need to be filled out properly. And many different deadlines that must be followed. Even missing one part of a file or missing a deadline by a day can have devastating consequences, and it can be very difficult to keep up with everything. Lawyers have experience with this, however, and will make sure everything is filled out completely and no deadlines are missed. It's Hard to be Objective Defendants will find they have a hard time being objective about the case; which means they can't really look at it from the prosecutor's point of view or see it how a jury might see it. They're simply too close to the case; which means they can miss important information that could make a difference in how their case is handled. Rules of Evidence are Incredible Complex The rules of evidence must be followed, but aren't always. In some cases, this could mean the defendant can have evidence dismissed, which will help their case because there will be less evidence against them. However, the defendant won't necessarily understand the rules of evidence because they are incredibly complex. This could mean they miss out on a good way to fight the charges. Court Procedures Need to be Followed A failure to follow court procedures can have a devastating impact on a case. The defendant may understand the steps in the criminal process, but they won't know all of the procedures that have to be followed during each step. Missing something could mean they end up convicted of the crime and could impact their sentencing negatively. When it comes to criminal charges, trying to defend against them without help from a lawyer is never a good idea. There are too many potential mistakes that can be made that will leave the defendant with a worse outcome than they expected. Instead, it's always a good idea to work with an experienced lawyer. And to ensure the right help is obtained as early on in the legal process as possible. Read Also: Why Are Court Reporters Necessary? Dating versus Courtship: Which is right for you How to Choose the Best Murfreesboro Criminal Defense Attorney

6 Important Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

What Information Do I Need Before I Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer?

6 Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer