5 Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident, it can be a daunting experience. You may be overwhelmed with medical bills and paperwork.

It would help if you had a lawyer who has extensive experience in the practice area that applies to your case. This could include car accidents, slips, falls, or medical malpractice.

How long have you been practicing?

Like when hiring any other professional, you would research before committing to someone. When it comes to finding an attorney, experience and expertise are essential. Ask each lawyer you meet how long they have been practicing law and whether or not their practice primarily focuses on personal injury cases.

A good lawyer should be willing to take your case through trial. Insurance companies know attorneys willing to defend their clients vigorously and are more inclined to provide a just settlement if the attorney has a successful history of doing so. Also, ask if the lawyer you are meeting with will handle your case or if they plan to delegate tasks to less experienced members of their firm.

Do you have trial experience?

Like you would go to a specialist for a foot injury rather than a general practitioner, you want an attorney specializing in personal injury cases. This ensures they have the foundational knowledge and expertise to navigate your case successfully.

Wilk Law, LLC lawyer specializing in personal injury, experienced how to negotiate with insurance companies and other parties in your case. They also have much trial experience and know how to select a jury for your specific case that is sympathetic to your situation.

Ask an attorney about their experience with trial cases and how many of them they have won. This will help you determine whether they will likely settle your case or take it to trial.

What is your success rate?

Injury victims often cannot afford a personal injury attorney who will fight for their rights. Fortunately, many injury lawyers work on contingency fees and will only charge you if they win your case.

It is essential to ask an injury lawyer about their past trial results. Ideally, you want a lawyer who has obtained jury verdicts on behalf of injured victims in your type of case.

Insurance companies know which injury attorneys can fight in court and will factor that into their settlement offer. By asking these questions before hiring a personal injury attorney, you can ensure that you select the right one for your needs. 

What issues or difficulties do you see with my case?

During your initial meeting, the attorney should be able to spot issues that could affect the case. This will help them determine how much of a settlement you should expect to receive.

A good lawyer will be honest with you and explain the challenges of your case. For example, if you share some fault for your accident, it may limit the amount of compensation you can receive.

Usually, personal injury attorneys provide a complimentary consultation and assure you they will only bill you if your case is successful and you receive compensation.

How much is my case worth?

This is a tough question to answer without knowing the details of your specific case. However, an experienced injury attorney can use experience with similar injuries to provide a general estimate of what your claim might be worth.

Furthermore, a skilled lawyer will know how to accurately and equitably determine damages. They will consider your medical bills, lost wages, future losses, and pain and suffering.

A personal injury lawyer will also be able to help you reduce any outstanding medical bills or medical liens you may have. They will do everything they can to maximize the value of your claim and get you the money you deserve.