10 Important Questions to be Asked from a Personal Injury Lawyer during Consultation
Your personal injury settles well when you find the right personal injury lawyer to navigate your case. A competent lawyer may make all the difference between a just settlement or an award of a verdict that is fair. Asking the right questions at a consultation will allow you to take stock of the experience, skill, and compatibility of the lawyer with your needs.
For residents in Long Beach, California, seeking legal assistance for personal injury cases, The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus offers car accident lawyer consultations. With over 34 years of experience, they handle a wide array of personal injury claims, including automobile accidents, back injuries, bicycle accidents, brain injuries, dog bite injuries, motorcycle accidents, nursing home abuse, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death cases.
The following guide includes a series of questions with more elaborate explanations that will enable you to evaluate a personal injury lawyer more effectively before you have made up your mind.
Section 1: Background and Experience
1. How many years have you practiced personal injury law?
Why does it matter?
Legal expertise is gained over time. More than a decade or so of personal injury practice would have given a lawyer the nuances of such cases.
What to listen for:
First of all, it is important that the lawyers have significant personal injury experience, rather than just doing this type of cases part-time. A lawyer is often all the better for the more specialized they are.
2. Have you experienced the same situation that I am in? What were the outcomes?
Why it matters:
Every case of personal injury is a little different, whether from car accidents, workplace injuries, or medical malpractice. You want a lawyer who has experience in situations similar to yours.
What to listen for:
Look for specific examples where the attorney has handled cases similar to yours and has been able to come out on top.
Section 2: Strategy and Case Evaluation
3. What do you think an initial case evaluation is for me?
Why it matters:
You want to know his or her candid views on the strengths and weaknesses of your case and how certain he or she is of success.
What to listen for:
A transparently thoughtful response to the key elements of your case, in addition to proposing possible challenges.
4. How are you going to treat my case?
Why it matters:
More importantly, you will understand the approach of the lawyer, what strategy he will use, and whether this is in accordance with your expectations.
What to listen for:
Providing a structured approach to evidence collection, negotiation with the insurance company, and litigation if needed.
Section 3: Communication and Support
5. Who shall be in charge of my case? Will you be working on it yourself?
Why it matters:
Many larger law firms pass cases from high seniors down to their juniors or other paralegals. Knowing who is going to handle your case ensures you have the right level of expertise.
What to listen for:
A direct response to the level of involvement, from the lead attorney to the other members within his team.
6. How will you keep me updated throughout this process?
Why it matters:
This will keep you abreast with the developments, whether it is an addition or alteration to your suit.
What to listen for:
A clear explanation of the frequency and means of communication whereby the attorney will keep you current, by mail, telephone, or email.
Section 4: Price and Payment Terms
7. What is your fee structure? Do you work on a contingency basis?
Why it matters:
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win. Knowing about the fee structure would avoid surprises.
What to listen for:
A clear explanation of their contingency fee percentage and any other costs that you may have to pay.
8. Are there any other expenses associated with it?
Why it matters:
Most cases will involve other costs in addition to attorney's fees, such as expert witness fees or court filing fees. Knowing this upfront will help you understand and plan financially.
What to listen for:
Transparency of the amount of additional costs and whether these are paid up-front or deducted from the settlement.
Section 5: Goodwill and Performance History
9. What is the success rate in personal injury cases?
Why it matters:
A lawyer's success rate indicates how well the cases can be handled efficiently to arrive at favorable results.
What to listen for:
Statistics that are accurate and continuing to prove success, as is in cases like your own.
10. Do you have references or customer testimonials?
Why it matters:
Hearing feedback from previous clients can give you an idea of the attorney's professionalism and effectiveness.
What to listen for:
Willingness to provide references or point you to online testimonials. Hesitation might be a warning.
Section 6: Warning Signs to Watch For Unrealistic promises:
- Beware if the attorney promises an absolute win or unrealistic results.
- Evasive answers: An attorney who does not answer directly might be lacking the experience or transparency that you would like to represent your case.
- Ignorance of experience-gains will prevent one from engaging an attorney who cannot prove a track record in personal injury law.
Conclusion
The difference between an average and great personal injury lawyer is what will make or break your case. Such well-phrased questions shall help you obtain valuable insight into his years of experience, strategy, and way of communication. Take your time to compare various responses from different consultations before making a decision.
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