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February 28, 2020

If you have been injured by someone else's negligence or another company, you may be eligible for compensation. Hiring a personal injury attorney will help ensure you receive the most compensation allotted under the law. Contact our office today to get started. 

When you are injured through no fault, you can feel alone. Whether your injuries result from a distracted driver and their smartphone, a defective product and shoddy manufacturing, or a slip and fall caused by a negligent business owner, you deserve just compensation. Here's what to ask before hiring a personal injury attorney so you can get the most compensation.

If you have been injured through no fault of yourself, a personal injury attorney can help you get your life back, so you can recover financially while you heal physically and emotionally. When you are the victim of a personal injury, not just any attorney will do, and you cannot afford to make a costly mistake. Here are some key questions you need to ask before hiring a personal injury attorney.

1. Describe Your Typical Personal Injury Case.

Personal injury law is a unique specialty; every case is just as unique. When you sit down with a personal injury attorney, ask them to describe their typical case.

The answers you receive can help guide you, so you can choose a representative who meets your specific needs. A personal injury attorney specializing in product liability law may not be the best choice if you have been injured in a big truck crash. Finding an attorney who understands the types of injuries sustained and how they happened can help you make a wise choice.

2. What Do You Think My Case is Worth?

It can be hard to know how much your personal injury case is worth, but an experienced attorney should be able to help. Your personal injury attorney may not be able to provide a specific dollar figure, but they can provide guidance and information on how similar cases have been settled.

An experienced personal injury attorney can also provide honest advice on whether your case is worth pursuing since not all injuries will result in significant compensation. It is a good idea to interview several personal injury attorneys to get a good idea of how much your case could be worth. Hiring a personal injury attorney should be done with the most information possible.

3. Is There an Up-Front Fee, or Do You Work on Contingency?

The fee structure can be important, especially if you do not have enough money. Many personal injury law firms work on contingency, taking on cases in exchange for a portion of the settlements they negotiate.

This contingency arrangement can benefit the client and the personal injury attorney. Since their fee is directly tied to the size of the settlement, these lawyers will typically work hard to get the best possible deal for their clients.

4. Do You Have Courtroom Experience?

A surprisingly large number of personal injury cases never see the inside of a courtroom. Many of these cases are settled long before they go to court, with the two sides sitting down and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

Even so, courtroom experience is important when hiring a personal injury attorney. If the other side feels that your attorney lacks courtroom experience, they may drive a harder bargain, which could cost you serious money. Always ask about courtroom experience when hiring a personal injury attorney, even if you do not want to go to court.

5. How Long Have You Been Practicing?

Practice makes perfect, especially when litigating and settling personal injury cases. The time the law firm has been in operation and its attorneys have been practicing are very important factors, and you should always ask about that experience.

Sometimes a young and hungry lawyer can help you get the most for your injuries, but it helps if that newcomer is backed up by a solid law firm. Experience matters in the law, and years of practice should be a major factor in your decision-making when hiring a personal injury attorney.

6. Will You Handle My Case Personally?

Referrals are common in personal injury law, and it is important to ask if your case will be handled internally or referred to another lawyer or law firm. If you are comfortable with the attorney you are interviewing, you will want to make sure that person will be handling the bulk of your case.

In many cases, the attorney handling your personal injury case will have a paralegal do some of the work, which is perfectly normal. The quality of the staff is an important factor when choosing a personal injury law firm, and a good paralegal can be a big boon to your case.

Hiring a personal injury attorney is a big decision, and it is not something you should rush into. If you have been injured through no fault of your own, knowing what questions to ask and which answers to expect can help you find the best possible personal injury law firm, one that has your best interests at heart.

If you have been injured by someone else's negligence or another company, you may be eligible for compensation. Hiring a personal injury attorney will help ensure you receive the most compensation allotted under the law. Contact our office today to get started. 

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