After extensive research, you booked a consultation with a personal injury attorney. But you have doubts about whether they are the right choice for you and your case. You want to ask questions, but you don’t know what to ask.
Asking the right questions in the first meeting make your life easier by helping you to choose the right attorney. To help you out, here are seven questions to ask your personal injury attorney at your first meeting.
Have You Handled Cases Like Mine in the Past?
This question is essential because it shows attorneys’ ability and experience in handling cases similar to yours.
Personal injury law protects individuals from harm due to others’ actions or inactions. It covers car accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and more. Each case type requires different expertise and knowledge. For instance, you need to know the medical field to handle medical malpractice cases. On the other hand, truck accidents require trucking regulation experience.
A lawyer needs knowledge of the industry and the law to win a case. Great lawyers know their practice areas. They know nothing is certain in legal proceedings. Their experience helps them tackle challenges the insurance company or opposing counsel presents.
So you must know if your attorneys know how to deal with your case.
What Is Your Assessment of My Case?
Asking your personal injury attorney for an assessment of your case helps you understand where you stand in the legal battle.
Experienced lawyers can assess your case. They tell you its strengths and weaknesses. They can calculate your damages and estimate the compensation you may receive.
This assessment will give you an overview of your case and help you make an informed decision.
When Will My Case Resolve?
This question tells much about the attorney’s experience.
No one can tell you the definite time it will take to resolve your case. But an experienced personal injury attorney can estimate the time frame based on past cases. This can help you manage your expenses and plan your finances.
What Is Your Experience With the Courtrooms?
Your lawyer’s answer will give you an idea of the chances of going to trial, their experience, and their success rate in the courtroom.
Trials are uncertain and expensive. Attorneys settle most personal injury cases out of court.
If your case goes to trial, however, you need an attorney with experience and success in the courtroom.
Sometimes, insurance companies may offer you a settlement you think is enough. But your attorney believes it is way less than you deserve and wants to go to trial. You decide whether to go to trial or accept the settlement. If you go to trial, your lawyer needs courtroom experience.
What Is Your Fee Structure?
Most reputable personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. You may nothing unless they win your case. You pay them a percentage of your compensation as their fee. But the fee may vary depending on the attorney and the complexity of your case.
If they decide to work with you on a contingency basis, they do everything to win it, because the more you make, the more they make.
What Potential Challenges May Arise During My Case?
As every case requires a different approach, yours may involve a few challenges.
You may think your case is straightforward because they hurt you, you are the victim, and you deserve compensation, but insurance companies make it more difficult.
Experienced personal injury attorneys can evaluate your case and tell you about the potential challenges that may arise. They can also overcome these challenges. Knowing the weak side of your case prepares you mentally and shows that your attorney is transparent and honest.
What Do You Need From Me to Help Build a Strong Case?
As a client, cooperate with your personal injury attorney to build a strong case.
They try their best to fight for justice, but they need your assistance to increase your chances of winning. As the victim, you know the details of your case better than anyone. Your lawyer needs to know these details to prove your losses and get you the compensation you deserve.
You must provide them with all of the information they ask for. In addition, follow their instructions carefully.
Asking this question will help you cooperate with your attorney.
The Importance of Asking Questions in Your First Meeting
Personal injury law practice involves highly complex insurance company tactics. Thus, choosing the right personal injury lawyers for your case can present incredible challenges.
Asking these questions will give you an overview of your case, including its strengths, weaknesses, and expected compensation amount. Furthermore, it will tell you a lot about an attorney’s experience and their plans to approach your case. This information will help you to choose the right attorney for your case.