Hiring a personal injury lawyer is a big decision to make. When you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, you’re entitled to fair compensation and settlement. Ideally, you should be able to receive just compensation without a full-blown legal trial. But, not everything is always ideal, and some individuals are just so challenging to deal with.
This is where the expertise of your personal injury lawyer comes in. As the name implies, this lawyer specializes in the field of personal injuries. With the vital role they play in your walk towards moving forward from your personal injury experience, it’s settled that you shouldn’t just settle for one with a mediocre track record.
This article gives you a list of the five most important questions to ask when you’re seeking representation by a personal injury lawyer.
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Do You Have Enough Time To Handle This Case?
This first question is the first one you should get out of the way immediately. No matter how broad the areas of expertise of that lawyer is, this won’t matter as an advantage if their docket of cases is clogged. It would be best if you were in the hands of a lawyer who has enough time to handle your case and give you full attention.
You see, if the lawyer is too busy, then they might not be able to focus well enough on your personal injury case. Surely you wouldn’t want this to be the situation, for a matter as crucial as your claims. A good lawyer won’t sign up a client unless they’re confident they can give them the attention they truly deserve.
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What Is Your Area Of Expertise?
When you’re looking for a doctor, is it not that you’re going to search for one who has the specific expertise or specialization according to your needs? Thus, you wouldn’t go to a cardiologist when you’ve just found out you’re expecting a baby. This same rationale holds as well for lawyers.
Because you’re looking for a lawyer who can help you with your personal injury claims, it’s a must to ask about whether or not they’ve got experience in that area. If the lawyers you’re talking to don’t have any expertise with personal injury law, then move forward to others. You’re sure to find others, like the one from Kania Law, whom you’re certain to have personal injury law experience.
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Have You Handled Other Cases Similar To Mine?
Now it’s time to take your search process one step deeper. After assessing the area of expertise a lawyer has regarding personal injury law, ask too if they’ve handled other cases similar to you. This is a bonus on your end.
Especially when you’re hiring a solo lawyer, you wouldn’t want your personal injury case to be their first time or their trial. The only time when you can avoid ruling out the possibility of a lawyer who hasn’t handled a case like yours yet is when a senior lawyer supports them, as is the case when you’re hiring from a firm.
A lawyer with experience in cases similar to yours can give you that added peace of mind. Whether you have been involved in a car accident or got injured in someone else’s vehicle, you can rest assured in the fact that you’re in good hands.
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What’s Your Track Record?
Fourth on this list relates to how well recommended a particular personal injury is. If you have a network of friends in the local legal industry, ask for insights about that specific lawyer. You can also do your own search of their name online. Or ask to see that particular lawyer’s portfolio.
It’s always to your advantage to have insights into a lawyer’s track record. Their number of cases won should always be greater than the losses. Personal injury lawyers who have helped clients win their personal injury compensation for many years now means they’ve also earned valuable trial and negotiation experience.
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What Do You Charge?
Lastly, ask about the fees. Most personal injury lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t have to pay any fees upon hiring them. The fees your lawyer will charge come in when you receive your personal injury case settlement. The fee is then a percentage of how much you receive from the defendant or the erring party.
Being upfront about this ensures that the lawyer you’re hiring is one you can afford. You won’t have to worry about your settlement amount being eaten up too much by the lawyer’s percentage. Remember that a high fee doesn’t always equate to experience. It’s on you to weigh your options, so you’re certain that the fee the lawyer is asking for is reasonable enough.
Conclusion
Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. No one has control over its likelihood of happening. No matter how careful you are, there are still those who can be negligent, either of their own volition or accidentally. This brings in the risk of personal injuries. The best professional who can help you out is a personal injury lawyer when this happens. In hiring one, be sure you’re able to ask all the questions above, so you can wind up hiring the best for your needs.
