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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How To React When An Employee Sustains Workplace Injury

Witnessing a workplace accident affecting an employee will likely throw you off balance at first. But considering their health is on the line, it’s vital to be swift in action. There are many issues to sift through once this unusual incident occurs. A few include compensatory claims and treatments, which is the most imminent. Let’s take a look at some of the crucial responses to workplace injuries. 1. Seek Medical Care Getting proper medical attention is the primary thing every employer should oversee. This is made more accessible if the organization has the policy to cater to injured or ill work persons. Those often include transport provisions and alert mechanisms during the tragedy. The compliance of these protocols with the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration helps to contain contractible infections. Other related bodies like the fire department can also be the first call in case of an inferno. 2. Investigate the Occurrence Once health professionals are attending to the employee, the next thing to do is to look into the incident. Inspect the site of the accident and square it out as out-of-limit for investigative purposes. Here, you might need to take the place of a detective to collect hinting details from the location and eye-witnesses. Your findings will help to discover the cause and prevent similar future accidents. 3. File a Personal Injury Claim Injured employees have the right to report their ordeal formally. As the boss, you must provide them with the necessary paperwork. If they decide to pursue the claim, you must contact a workers’ compensation lawyer hervey bay, for legal advice. Your cooperation with the attorney regarding handing over your investigative findings, providing documentation of injured workers, etc., will help shed more light on the issue. 4. Stay Informed About the Medical Condition of the Employee The hospital will provide you with the medical certificate of the worker. This will include the nature of the injury and how long recovery will take. If there are leave possibilities, take note of the period and fill in other staff to their positions temporarily. 5. Support the Employee After Return to Work After an injury, work is an essential part of a person’s recuperation. For a start, the employee might be unable to go back to their usual roles. You should designate other aspects where they can work effectively as they recover. You can also give such a person special access to office experts and resources during working hours. These might encompass health practitioners and other service providers. 6. Don’t Neglect Other Workers It’s understandable for other staff to feel unsafe and anxious after hearing about a workplace accident. As the employer, it’s your responsibility to assure them of workplace safety. Listen to their takes on these issues and how to avert them. That will help to secure their well-being and prevent other unforeseen mishaps. It’s a world of uncertainties, and at that, you must be prepared for anything ugly. Situations of on-site disasters vary; this is why an employee must be well-breed in this aspect of the law. Equally, employers should hold enough knowledge should they receive notification of office injury from their staff. Additionals: Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Cases 5 Critical Things To Learn About Personal Injury Claims In Ann Arbor Can an Employee Claim for a Personal Injury When Working From Home? The Hidden Damages In Workspaces: 5 Steps To Reduce The Risk Of Workplace Injuries!

Hiring The Services Of A Legal Eagle

Finding one's way through the law can be one of the most difficult activities. While it is true that no one typically plans to take legal recourse to solve family issues, it is equally true that in some situations the only option left would be a court of law. And one of the most important aspects in a court of law is to be represented by a competent and experienced lawyer. Choosing an inexperienced advocate can seriously jeopardize the chances of getting a fair settlement or judgment from the court. Proper representation in a court of law : Relationships are never intended to end. It is true that circumstances can change over time, and even the best of relations can often sour to the worst relations. During this dark moment, it is possible that couples may be battling among themselves for custody of the child. It is important to have the services of a good advocate to protect the rights of the child and also to get yourself quality time with the child. It is necessary to put forth a strong case for adequate time with the child. By choosing the featured legal service, it is possible to rest assured that your case will be represented well either in a court of law or during any of the other alternative mediating channels. Settling property disputes amicably : Often when relationships end it results in property disputes and the need for settlements. Rather than turning the relationships even sour, it would help to actually either mediate or opt for a settlement through the court. Regardless of the type of supplement, it is most important to ensure that you are represented by a lawyer who is competent and well versed in the rights of individuals. The outcome of any dispute in court is determined by the quality of representation and the manner in which points are raised and presented in court. This makes it necessary to choose the services of a competent and experienced central coast family lawyer. Sorting out the documentation : When a couple chooses to part ways, it can be a very painful decision for either or both the individuals. And the paperwork that is necessary as part of the proceedings for legal separation does not make it any easier. During these moments of emotional turmoil, it is best that all legal aspects are handled by a competent lawyer. By making the correct submissions in court and by having discussions with the lawyer of the spouse it is possible to conclude the divorce proceedings smoothly. One of the biggest problems faced by individuals during any court proceeding is the inability to understand the complex legal jargon used by courts and lawyers. This is precisely why it is important to employ the services of an advocate who will be able to brief all aspects of the case beforehand and make you feel comfortable. The good lawyer would be able to communicate effectively and help his or her clients to secure an order in the shortest possible time that is acceptable to all. Read Also : The Effects Of Drinking And Driving Under The Legal Age Of 21 Go For A Better Legal Job In 2018! Divorce Lawyers In Houston Texas: A Short Guide On Saving Your Marriage

How to Handle a Car Accident?

Even though it is best to avoid getting into accidents, you should know what to do once that occurs. Accidents can be messy and quite troublesome if you do not know how to handle them properly, which is why it is important to always consult a lawyer and know the basics at the very least. Lebanon car injury law firm handles all types of accident-related cases. Some of the ways you can handle car accidents in the best way possible are mentioned-below. Here are How to Handle a Car Accident: It is of the utmost importance that you not leave the accident scene no matter how major or minor it is. Running away will put all the blame on you and you would be held accountable for a crime you might not even have done. If you leave someone when they are injured or seriously hurt, you can end up in jail. So, it is best that you stop the car and park it somewhere (if you can) and wait for the ambulance or the police to arrive. But do not leave the crime (accident) scene! Check to make sure that everyone involved in the accident is physically alright and does not require medical assistance. If they do, call an ambulance! Even if you do not require immediate care, some injuries or pain comes, later on, get yourself checked. Call the police. Avoid saying sorry or taking all the blame on yourself. Only the police get to decide who the main culprit is, so avoid getting involved in any kind of useless argument or apologies. You need to have a police statement or evidence that you got into an accident to claim the insurance. Without a police file complaint, the insurance company will make everything very difficult for you. While waiting for the police to arrive, take pictures of the entire accident, make videos. Note down the vehicle numbers, injuries, if there are any, as well as the damages, are done to the cars. When you are being questioned, make sure that you do not lie, exaggerate, or state untrue facts as they could be used against you. After you file a complaint, call your lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer then get one as quickly as possible. You should not say or do anything without your lawyer being with you or before talking to your lawyer. Although you should always have a lawyer by your side in case of emergencies as it saves a lot of time and money. You also get to learn so many dos and don’ts about laws. Your lawyer will do all the hard work as well as the dirty work (insurance-related work) for you. The lawyer will be talking to the witnesses, collecting information and evidence, doing all the paperwork, as well as get the best deal out of the insurance agencies. Although the above-mentioned points are for major accidents, however, they can be used in minor accidents as well up until point 3 or 4. In a minor accident, usually, people do not file a complaint and try to solve the accident within themselves. This saves both the party the lawyer fee, dealing with the insurance claims, the police’s questioning as well as the paperwork. However, it is safe and recommended that you go to the hospital for a regular check-up even if everything is perfectly fine. Read Also: How To Find Best Car Accident Lawyer Near You 4 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents Florida Car Accident Lawyer: The Ultimate Approach to Winning Car Accident Cases

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