Sometimes it is difficult to know what to ask your prospective lawyer during the initial consultation. It is a good idea to have a list of questions that you want to ask, so that you don’t forget to get any relevant information during the meeting. Here is a list of important questions to ask any personal injury lawyer before hiring them.
What is Your Experience with Personal Injury Law?
Experience matters. You want a lawyer who has been practicing personal injury law for long enough to really know the field.
Have You Dealt with Cases Like Mine Before?
Again, this is asking about experience, but more specifically.
How Long Does a Case Typically Take to Resolve?
Many people have no idea what to expect in terms of a timeline for their case. A good personal injury lawyer will be able to give you an idea of how long your case is likely to take, based on your individual situation and past cases that they have worked.
It is a good idea to find out up front whether your case will be handled exclusively by one lawyer or if other members of the firm will be involved.
What Fees Will I Be Responsible for?
Find out at the beginning exactly what fees you will be responsible for if you win your case, and what fees you will be responsible for if you lose your case. This way, you will know exactly what is expected of you financially and you will not have any unexpected surprises later.
How Likely is it That My Case Will Go to Trial?
Most people are unlikely to have a good understanding of the likelihood of their case going to trial or not. Take advantage of your lawyers’ expertise and ask about the trial process and how likely your case is to proceed to trial.
How Much Compensation Do You Think My Case is Worth?
If you are talking to a lawyer who has dealt with cases similar to yours in the past, they probably have a good idea of the amount of potential compensation that you could receive. Your lawyer can let you know what is reasonable to expect in terms of compensation for your particular case. However, there is one very important caveat. If you continue to actively suffer from your injuries, you may not have a prognosis from your doctors. In this type of situation, it will be difficult for your lawyer to give you an accurate estimate of damages because he or she cannot foretell what the future holds for your recovery or rehabilitation.
Lawyer Consultation
Ready to talk to a lawyer? We offer Consultations so that you can ask all of your questions and decide whether Hoogbruin and Company is the right fit for you.