It’s an unfortunate statistic, but personal injury case filings went up by 36% in recent years. And when you find yourself facing a personal injury claim, the process can be stressful and confusing, to say the least.
Important Questions to Ask When Consulting a Lawyer
With more and more attempting to get compensation for lost wages and a growing stack of medical bills, many need someone they can depend on. The first obvious step would be to look into consulting a lawyer.
But when hiring a lawyer, how do you know what to ask to find the right one for you? If you find yourself lost on where to start, here is a quick guide to help. Read on for five questions to ask when consulting a lawyer about your personal injury.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do You Specialize In?
Just because a lawyer says they can recover your personal injury damages, that does not mean they are an expert in your particular injury field.
For example, say you were injured in a car accident. You would probably prefer a lawyer handling your personal injury claim with a history of car accident injury cases, not workplace accident cases.
How Much Could I Expect to Be Compensated?
An experienced lawyer will be able to tell you what to expect in way of compensation should you win the case. Sometimes a lawyer will bring in an outside expert to help decide how “close” your particular case is to a winning verdict.
Knowing these factors will reveal how much experience they have in taking past cases to a verdict and what they are prepared to do to help you win your case.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
Dealing with personal injury is expensive. And while waiting for your case to be resolved, medical bills could start to stack up.
Do not be afraid to ask so you can have an idea of what plan to take, since some cases can take years to settle. A good lawyer will include all past, present, and potential medical care costs in your claim, so make sure that is addressed as well.
Do You Have Any References From Past Clients?
Past clients will be an invaluable source of information when hiring a lawyer. You can find out what the firm’s strengths and weaknesses are, and get a realistic idea of what to expect. If the lawyer in question hems and haws at the idea of providing references, that may be a red flag warning you to go elsewhere.
Will You Be the One Who Represents Me?
Not many realize this, but some firms will take on cases but not represent them in litigation. Instead, they will transfer the case to another law firm for a referral fee.
Since you want a law firm you can trust, make sure to check it out thoroughly and know they will actually be the face you see next to you in court.
Consulting a Lawyer For a Personal Injury Case Can Be Very Successful
Dealing with an injury is very difficult, no doubt about it. And consulting a lawyer to help you might seem even more stressful. So find a good law firm and examine it thoroughly.
If they are reputable and answer the above questions, you will more than likely find one that you can count on. Need more helpful tips? Keep reading some of our other blog articles for more insightful legal information!