In 2020, nearly 4.8 million people in the United States were seriously injured in automobile collisions. With this large amount of injuries, it is no surprise that there are a large number of personal injury lawsuits that are filed afterward.
If you are looking to file a lawsuit after a car crash, it is important to choose a personal injury attorney that will best represent your specific needs. Here are 7 important questions that you should ask a potential attorney before hiring them.
1. How Long Have You Been Practicing Law?
The first step to winning your personal injury case is to choose a lawyer who has been in practice for at least a few years. You want to make sure that your attorney has spent a good amount of time helping clients with cases similar to your own.
Although lawyers who are fresh out of law school may be capable of doing a great job, practice makes perfect. You are more likely to see success with someone who has gone through the lawsuit process multiple times.
2. What Is My Role in the Lawsuit?
As the client, it is important to know about your specific role in the lawsuit. Your main priority should be getting the rest you need and recovering from your injury while your lawyer does the legal work.
You may be asked to provide legal documents and evidence for your lawyer to use for your case. Your lawyer may also need to reach you once or twice for additional information.
In addition to this, you will also want to ask if someone will keep you updated about your case. Even if you are not involved much, you will still want to know about the progress of your case. It is never a bad idea to request these weekly or monthly updates.
3. What Do You Charge?
The overall cost is a big consideration when hiring a lawyer. Many lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that your lawyer will only get paid if you do. Your lawyer will take a percentage of your winnings after the case is resolved.
It is important to ask about the percentage the lawyer will take. It is typically around 20% to 40%. You will also want to inquire about any other legal fees you may be expected to pay.
4. How Long Might It Take to Resolve This Case?
Although a lawyer can’t tell you exactly how long it will take to resolve your case, they should be able to give you a rough estimate based on other cases they have handled.
Make sure you get the impression that your attorney wants to close your case as quickly as possible while still getting you the settlement you deserve. If you are interested in the average time it takes to settle a car accident claim in Ontario, then feel free to check out our recent blog post on the subject.
5. Do You Have Experience in This Area?
If you are hiring an attorney for a car accident, then you want to make sure they have adequate experience in the area. Many lawyers, such as Armstrong Accident Attorneys, focus solely on auto accidents. Others, however, may have many specialties within their firm.
Ask your potential lawyer how many cases they have handled similar to yours. In addition to this information, it is also important to know how many of those cases they have won in and out of trial.
6. Will You Be Available Around the Clock?
Some attorneys will give you their own direct phone number and allow you to call whenever you have a question; others will have certain office hours where you can reach them through a secretary.
If your lawyer will not be your point of contact, then it is important to know who will. It is good to know if you will be speaking with the attorney, a paralegal, or an assistant when you have questions or concerns.
You’ll want to hire a lawyer and a legal team that can give your case the attention it deserves. If your legal team is too busy to return your calls, then they may be too busy to give the proper amount of effort to your case.
7. Will My Case Go to Trial?
Most cases settle out of trial, but it is nice to know that your lawyer is can take it there if need be. Your lawyer should treat the case as if it will certainly go to trial. This allows them to get all of the evidence they may need to support you in court and get you the compensation you deserve.
It is also essential to choose a lawyer who has won cases before a jury. Make sure to inquire about their success rate at trial.
If your case is taken to trial, then your original contingency fee may increase. It is always a good idea to inquire about this beforehand.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Today
There are many things to consider when choosing a personal injury attorney to handle your case. As long as you know what to ask for and what to look for, it shouldn’t be a problem to find a qualified lawyer for your needs.
The professionals at Armstrong Accident Attorneys are always ready to fight for you and your rights. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our services, then feel free to contact us today or request a free consultation.
