Top Questions to Ask When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, finding the right personal injury lawyer can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can represent you in front of the opposing party, insurance companies, and court.

But before you hire a lawyer, what do you need to know about them? You have limited time to file a claim, and contacting a lawyer immediately can improve your chances of recovering compensation more efficiently.

Many personal injury lawyers offer free consultations where you can discuss your case and ask questions before deciding to move forward. Here are some key questions when determining which personal injury lawyer is the right fit for your case.

What Experience Do You Have with Cases Like Mine?

While no two personal injury cases are identical, ensure your attorney has dealt with similar cases. Personal injuries can occur in many scenarios, and a car accident case may be handled differently than a slip and fall. Gauge your prospective lawyer’s experience and ask about the outcomes of cases they’ve seen like yours.

Does the lawyer you’re looking to hire have a good relationship with the local courts? Do they have connections to experts such as accident reconstructionists or doctors to consult in your case and testify? A lawyer’s knowledge of the law and resources can help prove that the at-fault party’s negligence directly caused your injuries.

What Is Your Approach to Handling Cases?

Whether your case settles out of court or heads to trial, your lawyer should know what to do for your situation and clearly lay out the strategy they plan to pursue. They might like the odds of reaching a settlement with the insurer or believe heading to trial is necessary.

Communication is an essential part of the attorney-client relationship. Before you proceed, ask your attorney who else will be involved with your case and how many other cases they’re currently working on. Establish how often you can expect to hear from them and how you’d like to be contacted.

If you disagree with your attorney’s proposed approach, get the sense that they might be hard to reach, or if your preferred methods of communication don’t align, they might not be a good fit for your needs.

What Are the Fees for Representation?

Securing compensation for your injuries and medical expenses is likely a priority as you recover. You should also understand how your attorney will be paid in exchange for their services. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, where no fees are charged unless a successful financial recovery is made.

Attorneys who operate on contingency fees advance the expenses of your case, such as court and filing fees and travel costs. If the attorney secures a settlement, they will claim a percentage of the recovery as payment.

The percentage a personal injury attorney charges can vary based on factors such as how complex the case is and how much time is spent handling it. An attorney can help you calculate the value of your case, which will influence how much of a percentage they might take. The exact rate charged is agreed upon in the contract between a client and their attorney, so it’s critical to understand how much your case is worth in the consultation.

What Is Expected of Me During the Legal Process?

You should also understand what is expected of you when filing a claim and what happens as your case proceeds. Some clients may want to be highly involved and have frequent direct communication with their lawyers, while others want to be more hands-off and let their attorneys handle the details.

Establish a mutual understanding, so your lawyer knows what you expect from them and what is expected of you in return. Any additional context you can give each other will help the process go much more smoothly.

Belt, Bruner & Barnett P.C. Can Help You Get Results

Trust your lawyer with your case, no which personal injury lawyer you choose. The right attorney has seen many cases like yours and knows how to navigate the personal injury legal process to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Belt, Bruner & Barnett P.C. has decades of experience with a wide range of personal injury cases, and a record of success helping clients across Alabama. Our team of attorneys will answer all your questions, and our attention to detail sets us apart.

Call (205) 933-1500 today or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.