10 Questions to Ask Your Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you will likely have endured pain, suffering, and emotional anguish and have sustained expensive medical care. You have probably experienced negative financial impacts. If you are considering a civil case, there are some questions you should ask your personal injury lawyer.
Speak to a personal injury attorney for advice about the specifics of your case. Here are some questions that will be helpful to ask when you sit down for a consultation.
1. What Fees Should I Expect?
After determining that the attorney you are speaking with has the right qualifications for your case, you will want to discuss how their fees will be assessed. Typically, personal injury lawyers charge their clients on a contingency fee basis.
Contingency fees are based on what is recovered in the lawsuit. If nothing is recovered, you do not have to pay a thing. But, you will want to know how much of your award will go to your attorney. This amount could be between 25% and 40% of what the court awards you.
If the contingency fee suggested is on the lower end, you should investigate to ensure the attorney is qualified to win the maximum settlement in a case such as yours.
2. How Much Money Will I Need to Pay if I Lose?
If your attorney is not successful and your case is lost, ask your potential attorney how charges related to your case will be resolved. Some personal injury lawyers want payment for expenses related to your case, even if they lose. So there are no surprises, be sure and ask your prospective lawyer how out-of-pocket expenses will be handled if they are not successful.
3. Do You Have Experience Trying Similar Cases in Front of a Jury?
Your case is unique. It is important to make sure your personal injury attorney has tried cases similar to yours before a jury. Experience and results matter when choosing an attorney for a personal injury case.
4. Could I Speak With Some of Your Former Clients?
Though an attorney’s website may be chock full of positive reviews, speaking to former clients is the best way to get a feel for the attorney you are considering. An attorney confident in their skills and client’s experiences will happily provide you with references. By speaking to the references they provide, you can get a feel for what it will be like to work with the lawyer in question.
5. How Much is My Case Worth?
After a consultation and review of the details of your case, your personal injury attorney can provide you with an estimate of how much your case is worth. While an exact amount is more difficult to calculate, they can supply you with a fairly accurate range. This will include elements like the following:
- Discovery
- Liability
- Any medical issues you had prior to the accident
There are many details that could affect the settlement. Your attorney should be knowledgeable enough to take them into account when offering you an idea of what your case is worth.
Contact The Cashman Law Firm Today
Knowing that you are in good hands is crucial when moving forward with a personal injury case. Reach out to The Cashman Law Firm. We are here to answer your questions, offer advice, and protect your rights.