When you have a personal injury case on your hands, it's necessary that you find a good personal injury lawyer. Yes, you can legally represent yourself, but you're generally not fighting an individual. You may find yourself up against insurance companies or even major corporations that have far more resources that will allow them to win the case.
A personal injury attorney will help. They can walk you through the complicated legal process so you can get what you deserve. But how do you find the right lawyer?
Read on for a few questions you should ask a potential personal injury attorney before hiring them.
Many people don't know that they can ask to speak to previous clients before they commit to a personal injury attorney. Remember, you're hiring this attorney, so you're within your right to ask for references just as any other employer would.
Those references are your lawyer's portfolio.
Ask those previous clients about their experience with your potential lawyer. Did the lawyer act professionally? Do previous clients have any complaints?
A good personal injury attorney is always busy. It never hurts to ask how much time they have in their schedule to take on your personal injury case.
It's not uncommon for well-regarded attorneys to assign out work to assistants, so if you want your attorney's full attention, make sure you ask for it. If you don't think they'll have enough time for you, move on to the next one.
It's no secret that hiring a personal injury attorney isn't cheap. Make sure you know all about what an attorney charges before you make a commitment. The cost should never be the only determining factor when you're choosing an attorney, but you want to make sure that the attorney suits your budget.
Some, but not all, personal injury attorneys work on contingency. This means that they don't charge you until you win the case. This is a good option for people who do not have the money to pay upfront.
Ask about whether they charge by the hour and if they charge for various types of communication (like phone calls). Don't be embarrassed. Attorneys understand that everyone is working with a different budget, so they anticipate these questions.
Not all personal injury attorneys have experience with every type of personal injury case. Even if they have minimal experience in one specific area of personal injury law, they may not have enough to handle your case.
Ask about their past experience with cases like yours. Then ask, based on that experience, what they expect to happen with the case. Do they expect it to be successful, or go to court?
All lawyers have different expectations for their clients. Some lawyers prefer clients who are as hands-on as possible while others prefer to do all of the work.
There's no right or wrong answer to this question, but make sure the answer suits your own preferences.
If you're in need of a personal injury lawyer, it's time to start interviewing them. Keep these questions in mind so you can find the right lawyer for your personal injury case. This is a big decision.
If you need an Orlando personal injury lawyer, we want to meet you. Get a free case review or contact us to get in touch today.
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