Finding the right personal injury lawyer is something millions of Americans struggle with each year. They don’t know where to start, and with 6 million accidents each year, there are plenty of places to look!
Don’t be tempted to go with the first name you see on a search result. Be invested in the process. If that sounds too intimidating, consider the following.
You Have the Most to Gain or Lose
The best personal injury lawyer is the one willing to treat your case seriously like you are the only client they have. This is an important factor as you are the one with the most to gain or lose from the outcome.
Getting too low of an award (or none at all) can leave you with mountains of repairs and medical bills with which to contend. That can cause a domino effect of financial catastrophe.
You Want to Prevent Misunderstandings With Your Personal Injury Lawyer
Scrutinizing even the best personal injury attorney is essential to keep you from misunderstanding the possible outcome and cost of your case. The more questions you ask, the less surprised you will be by the steps that are taken along the way.
You Need a Roadmap For What to Expect
Search for a “personal injury attorney near me,” and you’re likely to find many attorneys just willing to settle as quickly as possible. Some settlements are great while others do you a disservice. Meeting with your attorney and asking questions like the kind we’re about to get into will let you know what to expect from every scenario.
Note the importance of each of these factors, and give them the attention they deserve. Now that we know why legwork is necessary, let’s discuss the specific questions you should be asking any potential personal injury lawyer that you choose to hire.
1. What Are My Total Costs?
Before you get to the issue of the personal injury settlement, it’s important to have a clearer understanding of what your costs might be. Attorneys generally work at an hourly rate.
Your attorney might not be able to give you an exact total, but he or she should be well-versed enough in cases of your type to extrapolate the cost based on the average time and their billing rate. Also, some attorneys may not take payment unless they can attain a settlement.
Knowing these factors ahead of time will help you understand the overall costs. It also will give you some idea of what to expect with the case duration.
2. What Questions Will I Need to Answer About My Personal Injury Case?
In any personal injury case, you’re going to be putting yourself out there to some extent. The other side will be arguing their case as best as possible, and so that means there will be some questions you are going to be asked along the way.
A good attorney should have some idea of what types of questions you’ll be facing. They should be able to prepare you for how to answer or where to go to get the answers that you’ll need.
3. How Long Will This Take?
The duration of a lawsuit can add to your stress and be a major factor in whether you decide to settle or press through to the jury trial. Your attorney should be able to give you a good idea through their own experiences in dealing with other clients what to expect.
They need to illustrate timelines for each scenario. They also should be able to help you do a risk-reward analysis on determining whether you should stay or stick it out.
4. Should I Fight or Settle?
It is really just a question of the outcome probability. Have your attorney look at the facts and circumstances of your accident, as well as the lingering effects.
Most cases settle (some estimates state as much as 90 percent). That doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for your case, though.
There’s a temptation to listen to only what you want to hear. Trust attorneys who are willing to shoot straight with you, even if it means a less-rosier outlook.
5. What Is the Easiest Way to Contact You?
Attorneys should treat you like a priority. After all, you’re entrusting your accident lawsuit and all that entails to their care.
An accident can leave you disabled, facing costly financial damages, or missing work for a certain period of time, thus affecting your earnings. These are serious matters that demand responsiveness.
You don’t want to deal with an attorney who never gets back to you or fails to pass along key information. Speak to your attorney ahead of time regarding what your expectations are for communication.
6. What Is Your Professional Experience?
Professional experience is nice to have. However, it’s not enough to have the right degree or years in practice. The attorney should also have experience in the specific type of case that you’re bringing to them.
The more specific the experience is, the better. For example, say your accident was on a motorcycle. A regular personal injury attorney might do a fine job, but you’ll probably want one specifically well-versed in motorcycle accidents.
7. Any Conflicts of Interest?
Attorneys are more than just legal professionals. They’re also members of the community, business owners, and friends. While no attorney should let their personal relationships cloud their judgment, you can’t afford to assume the best.
Ask your attorney whether there are any potential conflicts of interest in your case. This includes companies involved as well as other parties.
Your Personal Injury Lawyer Should Work For You
Finding the right personal injury lawyer takes a little work, but it’s worth it if you ask the right questions and get the right answers. Ideally, you want someone with relevant experience, responsiveness, integrity, and unflinching honesty about your case.
Thankfully, it’s a lot easier to find if you are living in Florida. That’s because RHINO Lawyers has many years of experience helping people in your situation get the judgments or settlements you deserve. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
