Essential Questions to Ask When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
It is imperative to interview multiple candidates when searching for legal representation. It cannot be stressed enough that not all attorneys possess the same skill level. In the same way, you would visit a specialist for a foot injury rather than your regular doctor, a proficient personal injury lawyer can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your case.
What type of cases do you handle?
There are many personal injury cases, from auto accidents to medical malpractice. These cases are settled or heard in court thousands of times yearly and involve vast sums of money. A personal injury attorney at Batrice Law Firm will complete a professional investigation of the incident and gather all documentation, including police or incident reports, CCTV footage, medical or insurance documents, employment records, and property damage. They will also call in experts like accident reconstruction specialists or actuaries to help determine causality and damages. They will then send demand letters to the at-fault parties and handle all communication with them, ensuring you don’t inadvertently give damaging information or sign statements. They will even work with expert witnesses to bolster their case if needed. They can also help you recover your lost wages and ongoing medical expenses.
How much experience do you have?
Having complete faith in your chosen attorney’s ability to understand your case and legal issues is crucial. An experienced lawyer can identify any challenges and provide a practical solution. It would be best to ask about their length of practice in personal injury law and whether they have handled similar cases. It’s well-known that attorneys with extensive experience have a superior understanding of the legal process, making them more likely to secure a just settlement for their clients. In addition, a seasoned attorney should be able to provide you with statistics on their successful track record. For instance, they should be able to inform you about the number of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements they have achieved for their clients.
How much do you charge?
In personal injury cases, most attorneys at https://batricelawfirm.com/ work on a contingency basis and take a percentage of the amount recovered. Find out the lawyer’s fee structure before you agree to represent you in a case. An experienced attorney will have a good idea of the potential monetary value of your case. However, they may need to provide an exact number based on liability, discovery, and unknown medical issues still being investigated. The lawyer should also be willing to fight for your claim if necessary. Trying the case before a jury may be necessary if the insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement amount. A trial-experienced lawyer will be better equipped to present a persuasive case before a jury.
Will you be the lawyer handling my case?
If you have a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney must have experience with the specific type of case you are bringing. It is also essential that your lawyer has successfully won a case similar to yours. It is good to ask how many lawyers will work on your case and who precisely. This will help you avoid being left in the dark as to what is happening with your case. Insurance companies take personal injury attorneys with trial experience very seriously. They know that personal injury attorneys who try cases are likelier to get them top dollar in a settlement. This is especially true compared to personal injury attorneys who do not try cases.
Do you ever take cases to trial?
Injury cases are often resolved without going to trial, yet it’s essential to ensure that your lawyer has experience with jury trials in case your case ends up in court. A trial attorney with experience can secure a higher award than an attorney who only handles injury cases from start to finish. This is because a trial attorney knows how to approach the case differently than someone who only handles injury cases from the beginning. If the insurance company is unwilling to settle for an appropriate amount, a trial attorney with experience can display persistence by taking the case to court. This may cause the insurer to be more inclined to propose a just settlement to avoid a trial.