Each year, tens of thousands of individuals drown in motor vehicle accidents. There are millions more injured.
When individuals enter their vehicles, they do not contemplate such distressing statistics. Their concentration is on their destination.
However, a solitary external error is sufficient to disrupt that state of blissful ignorance and potentially transform the trajectory of an individual’s life.
Consider consulting with an attorney if you have fallen victim to such an error and are currently enduring physical suffering and disability. The following list of questions to ask a personal injury attorney can assist you in reducing your legal options:. By doing so, you can ensure that you are engaging the most qualified expert to handle this exceptionally challenging period in your life.
1. “Do you have expertise in driving collision cases?”
When seeking an injury settlement following a car accident, you may be confronted with insurance companies, plaintiffs, and their legal representatives. To achieve achievement, you will require every advantage that you can obtain.
We advise against forming partnerships with anyone other than personal injury attorneys who specialize in car accident cases. An attorney who specializes in employment injuries but also provides services in vehicle accidents is not the type of advocate you want on your side.
2. “What is the duration of your engagement in this activity?”
We cannot count the number of law firms that have boasted “40 years of experience,” only to disclose that the figure was calculated by aggregating the 5-year experiences of each of their eight employees. This is an enormous issue, as experience significantly affects the outcome of personal injury cases.
It is easy to become so preoccupied with the number of settled personal injury cases that we neglect to reflect on the tens of thousands of cases that do not result in settlements. Most unsuccessful cases fail to achieve their intended outcomes due to ineffective legal maneuvering.
Instead of simply asking, “How long has this firm been representing accident victims? ” ensure that your attorney is prepared to handle your case when the going gets difficult. Inquire as to the length of time they have been intimately involved in case proceedings.
3. “What is the rate of your success?”
This suggestion regarding questions to ask a personal injury attorney is likely something you had already intended to discuss. We merely wanted to remind you, in case the thought hadn’t already occurred to you.
Soliciting feedback regarding an attorney’s past performance is the simplest method to obtain a definitive understanding of their ability to represent you. Inquire about the attorney’s past performance by quantifying the proportion of cases in which they have prevailed.
Be extremely skeptical if the attorney you are interviewing refuses to answer that question or attempts to sidestep it by stating the amount of damages they have recovered for their clients.
4. “How Many Are Tried Among Your Cases?”
In accident settlement negotiations, nobody desires to go to trial. Each party invests time and money in a trial, and the results are not predictable.
However, in the event that your case proceeds to trial, you desire assurance that your attorney will be adequately equipped to advocate for you.
Ask your prospective attorney what proportion of their cases ultimately reach a jury verdict. Ask how many of those cases result in a victory.
If an attorney consistently exhibits subpar performance in trial proceedings, it is possible that their law firm does not allocate sufficient resources to jury trials. That ought to be of concern to you.
5. “When will I be able to expect to receive my settlement?”
No attorney can predict with absolute certainty how swiftly they will be able to secure your settlement. They should be capable of providing you with an estimate, however, based on the general particulars of your case and their current case loan.
Opt for a legal team that exhibits greater optimism regarding the timeline of your settlement. These are the teams dedicated to ensuring that your case is given the utmost priority.
6. “How Much Do Your Services Cost?”
An essential factor to take into account when selecting an attorney is their fee structure. The overwhelming majority of personal injury attorneys, fortunately, accept contingency fees. This signifies that they retain a portion of the settlement they obtain for themselves.
This practical arrangement eliminates the financial burden on injury victims by covering legal fees. Simply ensure that the percentage of your settlement that your attorney wishes to retain is comparable to that of other local attorneys.
7. “Will I Be Held Accountable for Any Damages Sustained?”
As previously stated, since the majority of personal injury attorneys are remunerated solely on a win-lose basis, this is typically the last query that comes to mind when individuals consider which inquiries to pose to a lawyer.
Although it is accurate to state that in most cases, attorneys do not assess legal fees in the event of a loss, they might request reimbursement for any costs incurred during their defense of your case.
It is not common for losing attorneys to request expense reimbursement; therefore, you are welcome to market around for an attorney who does not impose this fee.
8. “With whom will I be collaborating?”
Just having a positive encounter with an attorney does not necessarily imply that that individual will be the one to handle your case. Always inquire with the individual providing your consultation as to who will be assisting you on a daily basis. Ensure the attorney representing your case is an employee of the firm and not a contractor.
If the resolution of your case does not meet your expectations, search for a firm that places a higher value on your business.
Conclusion: Our List of Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney
Using our list of questions to ask a personal injury attorney will assist you in sifting through the legal muddle in search of the ideal practitioner.