Suffering an injury in an accident can be devastating. You may face mounting medical bills, lost income from missing work, and struggle with daily activities. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you receive full and fair compensation. But how do you know which lawyer is the right fit? Here are some important questions to ask before hiring a personal injury attorney.
What is Your Area of Expertise?
Not all personal injury lawyers are alike. Make sure the attorney has extensive experience in your specific type of injury case. An attorney who mainly handles car accident cases may not be the best choice for a complex medical malpractice lawsuit. Ask the lawyer about their track record with cases similar to yours. Look for someone with deep knowledge of the laws and processes relevant to your situation. A personal injury attorney Summerlin CA who focuses on cases in your local area will know the ins and outs of the local court system.
What Will My Role Be in the Case?
The attorney-client relationship is a partnership. You need to understand what tasks and responsibilities will fall on your shoulders during the legal process. Will you be required to gather medical records and documentation? How often will the lawyer expect you to come into the office for meetings? Clarifying expectations upfront ensures a smooth working relationship. A Summerlin personal injury lawyer who keeps you informed and makes you an integral part of the team is key.
What Are Your Fees and Billing Practices?
Never hire a personal injury lawyer without fully understanding how you will be billed. Many personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only collect fees if they recover compensation for you. Typically, this fee is a percentage of your total settlement amount. Ask upfront about the lawyer’s contingency fee percentage and get it in writing. Beware of any attorneys requesting you pay retainers, deposits, or other fees before your case settles.
What Expenses Will I Owe?
In addition to attorney’s fees, certain costs arise in personal injury cases. These may include court filing fees, fees to obtain medical records, costs of expert testimony, and more. Clarify which expenses are the law firm’s responsibility and which ones you will need to pay out of pocket. Some lawyers front the case costs and then take their cut when your case settles. Be wary of excessive expenses being passed on to you.
Does Your Firm Have Sufficient Resources?
To build a strong claim, your attorney may need to consult medical experts, reconstruct the accident scene, interview witnesses, and take other steps. These actions cost money. An under-resourced law firm may not vigorously pursue all evidence and legal avenues. Ask about the size of the attorney’s support staff. Do they have connections to respected doctors and healthcare providers who can assess your injuries? Does the firm have sufficient financial resources to take on large insurance companies? Resources matter.
What Is Your Track Record of Success?
Past results say a lot about a personal injury lawyer’s skills and effectiveness. Ask about verdicts and settlements the attorney has achieved in recent cases. Request specific dollar amounts. An honest and accomplished lawyer will be transparent about their win/loss rate and ability to deliver satisfactory claim outcomes. Be wary of vague claims of recovery amounts like “millions” without hard data. The right Summerlin personal injury lawyer can point to a proven history of significant financial compensation for clients.
Do You Have Malpractice Insurance?
Even the best personal injury lawyers make mistakes occasionally. If your attorney commits an error that negatively impacts your case, their malpractice insurance should cover you. Don’t assume that a lawyer carries adequate coverage. Ask for written confirmation of insurance protecting you from mistakes that harm your claim value. Beware of attorneys unwilling to back up their work with a strong malpractice policy.
How Quickly Do You Return Calls and Emails?
Hiring a personal injury attorney means putting your trust in their hands. You need to feel confident you’ll have access to your lawyer when questions or concerns arise. During the initial interviews, pay attention to how promptly the attorney returns messages and follows up on information requests. An unresponsive lawyer can increase your stress during an already difficult time. Look for dedication to open communication from day one.
Will You Personally Handle My Case?
Many large law firms assign junior associates or paralegals to much of the daily casework. It’s important to learn who specifically would manage your case and represent you in settlement negotiations or at trial. Will a senior partner take an active role? Or will you rarely meet with the lead attorney? Hire a lawyer who cares enough to be personally involved at every phase.
How Long Do Your Cases Typically Take to Resolve?
Personal injury cases can drag on for months or even years depending on complexity. It’s important to have realistic expectations about the potential timeframe. An ethical attorney will explain typical timelines and warn you if your case seems likely to go past the norm. Knowing the pace of the process will help you plan financially and emotionally while your claim works through the legal system.
Do You Have Experience Taking Cases to Trial?
Most personal injury claims settle out of court. However, if a fair settlement can’t be reached through negotiation, you may need an attorney with the confidence and skillset to take your case to trial. Not all lawyers have extensive trial experience. Ask how often the attorney has had to take cases all the way to a jury verdict. A lawyer who has succeeded in the courtroom may gain you more leverage in pre-trial talks.
Trust your gut feeling during initial lawyer meetings. Ultimately you want a personal injury attorney who is compassionate, attentive, and dedicated to fighting for the maximum possible recovery. With an attorney who makes you confident in their skills by your side, you can focus on healing while they handle the legal intricacies.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident, the experienced attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys are here to help. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims and take the utmost care with every client’s case. To explore your options risk-free, call 1-800-4THE-WIN (1-800-484-3946) for a free consultation. Our personal attention and aggressive representation can help you obtain full compensation as you move forward. Contact our office today to learn more about how we can help.
