No matter how cautious you are, life is unpredictable. You might have taken all safety measures in performing a task, but the next thing you know, you might be paying the price for someone else’s negligence. Personal injury claims are when you seek monetary compensation for the impact of someone’s negligence. A Portland Work Auto Accident Attorney can help you in preparing and filing such cases.
But there are plenty of good lawyers out there. So, how do you look for the one? By asking the right questions. Consider asking these seven questions before you hire a personal injury attorney for your case.
1. What is their specialization?
One of the first questions you must ask any lawyer is about their specialization. Most personal injury lawyers specialize in specific claims, like filing mesothelioma lawsuits, motorcycle accidents, or employer negligence. It’s important to remember that not every lawyer you come across would be equipped and skilled to handle your specific injury claims when finding a suitable attorney. Every case has a different set of methods to follow. Take your time in assessing each attorney’s record of cases and whether or not that matches your situation.
For instance, if you have been in a motorcycle accident, get services from professionals with a relevant experience like Rider Justice – motorcycle accident attorneys. They will offer you a free consultation and expert legal advice to sort your situation out.
2. Case Success Rate
Being experienced with personal injury claims isn’t enough of a credential to hire an attorney. It would help if you inquired about their success rate as a personal injury lawyer. For instance, if you want to hire a lawyer to fight a mesothelioma case, you must inquire how many times they have led a case into victory and how long it took. Success rates give a broader view of how your case will proceed. You might have to keep looking if the attorney has a history of losses. You should also inquire about the financial reward they secured with each case. It’s also better to ask about settlements since most lawyers help clients settle outside the court, which may or may not benefit you.
3. How long will it take to close the case?
No attorney can give you the correct answer to this question since every personal injury claim is different; some may go on for weeks, others for months. However, if they give you an approximate figure, they will speak on behalf of their experience of fighting personal injury lawsuits.
Remember that personal injury claims depend not only on how long the attorney takes to prepare and file the claim; other factors are also involved. For example, case proceedings, a rebuttal from the opposing party, and even your healthcare or treatment could decide how long the case takes. Therefore, to assess the lawyer’s credibility, ask them the time frame for your case, and observe if they bring up these factors to give you an honest answer.
4. What are the lawyer’s fees and costs?
Before hiring a lawyer, you must ask whether they work on a contingency basis or demand a separate fee. Lawyers who work on a contingency basis don’t charge an amount from your pockets. Instead, they get a small cut of the financial reward you gain from the personal injury lawsuit. Typically, personal injury attorneys demand a 30-40% cut from the reward, so you may have to demand a financial reward keeping that in mind. It’s also better to work with lawyers on a contingency basis since it promises that they won’t get paid unless you win. It motivates lawyers to work hard and demand a higher financial reward since their cut comes from that compensation. If your attorney does charge a fee, you should ask beforehand what it will cost you to hire them.
5. What is your role in the case?
If this is your first time hiring a personal injury lawyer, you may not know your role in the case. Ask your lawyer how you can help them prepare for the case. They would give you a list of documents you need to prepare for the case. You might have to set up meetings between your lawyer, healthcare provider, or other concerned parties. Ensure you communicate throughout the case to know what to expect from the process.
6. Do you have an idea of what my case is worth?
There is no definitive answer to this question because there are plenty of factors to consider. An experienced attorney would ask for your case details before giving you a figure for your financial compensation. Reviewing your case will decide how much you need to cover healthcare expenses, compensate for lost wages and provide for your family while you’re out of work.
It is essential to avoid lawyers making hefty claims as they’re probably inexperienced or unequipped to handle your case. It isn’t easy to give a definite amount straight up. If your lawyer or law firm does that, they are probably eager for you to sign an agreement with them and not interested in honestly fighting your case. Also, know that every personal injury claim is different as the pain and suffering, healthcare, and treatment vary from case to case.
7. Do I have a case?
Lastly, ask your attorney whether you should file a claim. Specialized attorneys will assess your situation, weighing the pros and cons of filing a lawsuit and comparing your chances of winning it. Only then will they be able to give a fair picture of whether you have a case or should you file one. You don’t want to spend months preparing for a case you have no chance of winning; therefore, ask this question before hiring a lawyer.
Conclusion
Finding a good personal injury attorney is a time-consuming task. But with the right questions in mind, you can speed up this process. Ensure you have had an open conversation with your lawyer before signing an agreement. Because once you have signed up for an agreement, they’re the only ones who can fight for you and help you get the compensation you deserve.
