When you are involved in an accident or suffer an injury, you may wonder what questions to ask a personal injury lawyer to determine if you qualify for any compensation. A personal injury lawyer will work on your behalf to help you reach a fair settlement to cover medical expenses, loss of income, or other potential financial compensation.

 

What Are the Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer?

After experiencing a personal injury due to work or personal accident, it’s a good idea to talk with a personal injury lawyer about any possible compensation you may be entitled to receive. Don’t assume you are not eligible for medical expense reimbursement or other compensation if the injury you sustained was not your fault.

A personal injury lawyer will be able to review your case and let you know if there is a possibility for a settlement.

  • What is Your Overall Experience?

One of the first questions to ask a personal injury lawyer is their experience in handling personal injury cases. Ask about any awards, organizations, or success stories that relate to your situation. How will their experience help your situation?

  •  Do You Have Any Experience Handling Cases Like Mine?

Not all personal injury lawyers work on every type of personal injury case. Ask if they have experience with your specific kind of accident or injury and what steps they take if your case goes to trial.

  • What Does Your Workload Look Like?

Ask about their current workload. An attorney who takes on too much will not devote the appropriate amount of time to your case, which could lead to not receiving the compensation you are entitled to receive.

  • Can You Handle My Personal Injury Case?

Not all personal injury cases are the same, and not all attorneys can handle every type of case. Some law firms only work on worker compensation cases, while others solely work on personal injury. Ask what type of injury cases they have experience with and their success rate.

  •  What Are My Personal Injury Lawyer Fees?

Most personal injury lawyers will have you pay on a contingency basis. This means you do not pay any fees until after your case is settled or you win at trial. Your attorney should be upfront with you about your fees and when they should be paid. Ask about additional fees that may come up during the process and what percentage of the award they will take.

Most lawyers will receive anywhere from 20 – 40% of the settlement. Compare the percentage they take with their success rate. If they have a high success rate, paying a higher percentage is worth knowing they have the experience necessary to try your case successfully.

 

  • Can We See the Reviews of Your Previous Clients?

Reading reviews or speaking with past clients can give you great insight into how attorneys work with their clients. It can also give you an idea of your experience and if they will be a good fit for your personal injury case.

 

Crucial Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer

Selecting the right personal injury lawyer to handle your case is the first thing you should do if you feel that the accident or injury was not your fault. If you are unsure, speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help answer any questions about potential compensation and what is involved in the process.

 

For more information on what questions to ask when getting a personal injury lawyer, continue reading.

 

  • What Type of Personal Injury Do You Specialize in?

There are many different personal injury areas to specialize in. Some attorneys will specialize in workman compensation cases, wrongful death, dog bites, car and motorcycle accidents, premises liability, and more. Be sure to ask if they have experience working on your type of personal injury case and their success rates

 

  • What Are Your Billing Practices?

While most personal injury lawyers will try your case on a contingency basis, there are other billing practices that your attorney may use:

o   Retainer fee – A retainer fee is a set amount of money paid upfront before the lawyer begins working on the case. Billing is against the retainer, and you may be asked to add more if the cost is higher than anticipated.

o   Hourly fee – A set hourly rate for document preparation, research, court representation, and case review.

o   Flat fee – This billing structure is typically for well-defined or straightforward cases where a one-time fee is paid. Typically, this is not for personal injury cases.

 

what questions to ask my lawyer for a personal injury case

 

  • What Can I Expect to Be Billed For?

Most personal injury cases will work on a contingency basis. During your initial consultation, be sure to ask about any fees involved and how they will be paid. Ask what percentage they will take from any settlement and if other fees will also be taken from the settlement.

 

  • How Will You Communicate with Us?

With so many ways to communicate, each lawyer will have their preferred methods of communication, such as phone calls, texts, emails, and regular mail. Ask their preferred communication method, so you do not miss any crucial requests or settlement offers.

 

  • What About the Lawyer Fee if I Don’t Get the Compensation?

Many personal injury lawyers state they do not get paid unless you are awarded a settlement. Typically, if an attorney fails to win a settlement, you will not pay the percentage of the settlement or any fees associated with your personal injury case. Make sure you understand all the fees related to your case and what happens if you do not receive a settlement so you do not end up with fees that you were not aware of in the beginning.

 

Contact Quirk Reed, LLP – A Personal Injury Law Firm

Now that you know what questions to ask a personal injury lawyer after you suffer a personal injury, you can decide what law firm should represent you in your personal injury case. Call the experienced personal injury lawyers at Quirk Reed, LLP today and if you’ve got involved in any of the cases mentioned above get in touch with our wrongful death attorney, dog bite attorney for dog bite victims, car and motorcycle accident attorney, or click here to request a free consultation regarding your personal injury case.