Following an accident, your next step may be to visit a personal injury lawyer. Use their free consultations to meet with one, two, or more before deciding. These meetings are like job interviews. You both ask questions to see if the relationship is a good fit. You’ll need to know if this is someone you’ll like talking to and sharing your story with. Rapport is important, and not everyone will be a match. If you don’t like them, you probably won’t be comfortable discussing your accident with them.
Most people do not hire a lawyer often. These are some questions to ask during your consultation.
General questions
These are some questions to start with:
• What’s your assessment of my case?
• Do you only handle personal injury or as part of a larger diverse practice?
• Do you have the resources to support and handle my claim to the end?
• How will you communicate with me during the case? Who will be my point of contact (POC)?
• What is your current bandwidth for handling my case?
These next questions are for more in-depth answers.
Have you dealt with this type of case before?
If your case is for a slip-and-fall accident, a lawyer who handles primarily car accidents may not be the right choice. Similarly, if you need someone to help with a car accident, someone who handles Workers’ Compensation cases may not be the right choice, either.
You want to know if the lawyer understands your case and what type of results the lawyer has had in the last few years with this type.
How many cases have you. . . .
Ask if they have handled cases like yours before and how many cases the lawyer has:
• Settled
• Won
• Lost
This will tell you if they are likely to settle quickly or if they would go to trial if necessary. Ask, “Would you take my case to trial?” You want to make sure they are comfortable representing you at trial if this happens.
What are your fee arrangements?
Many lawyers offer a contingency fee arrangement to their personal injury clients. This arrangement allows clients to have the legal services they need that they might not otherwise be able to access. In return, the lawyer’s fees are taken out of the eventual settlement. This will vary from lawyer to lawyer. Generally, the fees range from 30% if the case settles in negotiations, 35% if the case goes to trial, and 40% if the case goes through the trial and into appeals.
Ask about the details of what “no fee upfront” means. For instance, what about “out-of-pocket expenses?” These can range from copies of your medical records to filing fees at the courthouse and other case-associated costs. Will you be paying for them, or will those expenses be added to the final amount your lawyer receives from the settlement? And what happens if the case is lost?
You’ll probably have other questions you want to ask each lawyer. Make a list, have clean copies for each one you meet, and take notes before deciding.
The Love Law Firm Can Help With Your Personal Injury Case
For over 25 years, we’ve helped West Virginians with all types of personal injuries. These include auto accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, mining accidents, and nursing home cases, among others.
Contact us today at The Love Law Firm, or call us at (304) 344 5683, to discuss your case. Your consultation is free, and we only collect if we win.
