If you’re one of the more than 39.5 million people who require medical attention after an injury every year, you may be considering talking with an attorney. A good personal injury attorney will offer a free consultation before taking on your case. This allows both the victim and the attorney to determine if they are a good fit for each other before work begins. Signs you might benefit from working with a personal injury attorney after you’re hurt include:
- The negligence of another party or parties caused your accident
- The injury you experienced was serious, resulting in substantial medical attention and costs
- You have had to miss time off work due to your injury
- You have evidence that helps a potential personal injury case
Not all of these factors are required in order for a personal injury claim to be successful. That’s why talking with a personal injury attorney can help, regardless of the trajectory your case ends up going on.
You may choose to speak with several personal injury lawyers before deciding to hire one for your case. The more details of your case you can present to each attorney you consult with, the better that attorney will be able to gauge whether or not they can help you. If you decide to consult with an attorney to see what can be offered to you, here are some questions to ask to help you feel more confident in any decision you make.
Have You Handled Cases Like Mine?
Some personal injury lawyers specialize in a certain type of injury law, while others have more diverse experience. Ask about outcomes of cases that are similar to yours and how confident the attorney feels about your case’s circumstances. Ask about experience regarding both the circumstances of the accident as well as the type of injury you have sustained.
May I Contact Some of Your Past Clients?
Being able to talk to a personal injury victim who has gone through a case like yours is an understandable request that many personal injury attorneys receive. The lawyer you’re talking with may be able to refer you to past clients who have had similar cases, so you can get a better understanding of how your case might play out.
Who Will Work on My Case?
Sometimes, the lawyer you talk to during the consultation will not actually be the person who does the majority of work on your case. Some law firms have giant teams, and an intern or inexperienced lawyer may be the one working on your case. Other times, the lawyer will rarely be available to speak with clients directly. If this concerns you, ask about what kind of responsibility for your case and communication you can expect during your consultation.
What Percentage of Your Cases Are Referrals?
The answer to this question can clue you into how experienced the lawyer is and how respected the lawyer is in the law community. Though a low answer is not necessarily negative, a high percentage of referrals is a good sign that the lawyer is one who is regarded highly.
What Is Your Trial Experience Like?
Many personal injury lawsuits make their way to court, where the case may have to be tried in front of a judge and jury. The personal injury attorney you hire should be confident with representing you in court and with bringing your case to trial.
How Much Do You Think My Settlement Is Worth?
Answers to these questions can clue you into the attorney’s confidence with your case and the potential settlement amount you may be entitled to. Don’t be wary of lower estimates. These aren’t necessarily negative, if the lawyers giving them are more competent in how they can win your case.
How Do You Charge?
How much you pay your personal injury attorney will likely be a concern. Some personal injury lawyers will only require payment if they win the case this is called contingency. They may take a percentage of whatever the settlement is, and this percentage can vary. Depending on your comfort level and the expertise of the attorney, you may decide that a higher-percentage fee is acceptable because you believe that attorney can win your case.
Contact the Millea Law Firm for a Free Personal Injury Consultation
If you’ve experienced a personal injury, Matt Millea is a Phoenix personal injury lawyer who may be able to help you. Millea personally handles all personal injury cases he takes on and is prepared to take personal injury claims to court.
All personal injury consultations are free, and the Millea Law Firm only takes on cases we think can be won. Contact the Millea Law Firm Phoenix personal injury attorney team online or by calling (480) 462-5540.
It’s nice how you said that a personal injury attorney should have a lot of experience. I also like how you said that they should offer you an estimate too. My husband and I are looking for a personal injury attorney for a car accident that we were involved in.
Ashley,
We are happy to help, please give our firm a call at (480) 462-5540.
You’ve got great ideas for choosing a personal injury lawyer. My wife will need one to help her after the accident she was in, so this is great. I’ll make sure that she finds someone who has had cases like hers before that were successful.