Are you looking for a car accident lawyer? You shouldn’t necessarily hire the first attorney you talk to, especially if they reach out to you first. It’s a good idea to interview several different personal injury lawyers in your area before you choose one. That way, you can be sure that you’re working with an attorney who is qualified and has the experience to bring your case to a successful conclusion. Ask these questions to get the info you need about your car accident lawyer.
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Do You Handle Cases Like Mine? How Many?
Every personal injury lawyer doesn’t necessarily handle every kind of personal injury case. They often specialize in a specific subtype of personal injury case, like slip-and-falls, car accidents, work injuries, or dog bites. Make sure the attorney handles cases like yours. Ask how many cases like yours he or she has handled in the past to make sure they have the experience you need.
Of course, at some firms your case will be primarily handled by junior attorneys, who may not personally have much experience handling personal injury cases like yours, yet. This is fine, as long as they’re working under the supervision and guidance of an experienced senior attorney.
What Is Your Fee Structure?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that they only get paid if they win your case. They’ll take 33 to 40 percent of your settlement or award to cover their fees. A good personal injury attorney will ask for additional money to cover their fees as part of your settlement or award.
What Costs Do I Pay If I Lose My Case?
While most personal injury lawyers won’t take any money if they lose your case, some will require that you pay legal fees even if you lose. Make sure you ask about this so you know what to expect. In most cases, though, an attorney won’t take your case if they’re not absolutely sure they can win at trial or at least get you a settlement.
How Much Do You Think My Case Is Worth?
Don’t be afraid to ask an attorney how much he or she thinks your case is worth. An attorney may not be able to give you an exact estimate, as it’s hard to estimate exactly how much a case is worth before delving into the particulars. But your Largo car accident lawyer should be able to tell you what range your award or settlement will fall into.
Who Will Be Working on My Case?
Ideally, you want your case to be handled by a senior attorney at the firm. However, chances are that junior attorneys will do most of the work on your case, unless you go with a solo practitioner. You may want to choose a larger firm anyway, because they will have more resources to put towards your case.
Can I Get References from Past Clients?
You should absolutely ask any lawyer to talk to for references from past clients. Talking to past clients can give you an idea of how satisfied they’ve been with an attorney’s services. You want to make sure that previous clients are happy with their outcomes, and that the attorney you choose is someone you can see yourself working with, potentially for a long time, and while you’re going through a difficult time in your life.
How Long Have You Been Practicing Personal Injury Law?
The longer an attorney has been practicing personal injury law, the more experience he or she will be able to bring to bear on your case. You want an attorney who has experience not just settling personal injury cases, but bringing them to trial and winning. If you want to get the maximum amount of compensation for your case, then you need an attorney who has no qualms about litigating your case, rather than one who prefers to settle.
How Will You Keep Me in the Loop about My Case?
A personal injury case can be complex and can take a long time to resolve, so you want an attorney who keeps the lines of communication open. Ask how you can expect to communicate with the attorney, whether by phone, email, or text. Choose someone who is responsive to your attempts to communicate from the beginning, and someone who will use your preferred means of communication to keep you updated regarding the progress of your case.