When you’re dealing with the fallout of any sort of injury that you suffered due to someone else’s negligence or malicious intent, you don’t have to go it alone. Personal injury attorneys can help you navigate your lawsuit to help you get the compensation you deserve for the hardship that you’ve suffered as a result of the injury.
Getting the right assistance when pursuing your case is critical to achieving the outcome you’re looking for. But with so many different law firms out there offering their services for personal injury cases, how do you know who to trust? Here are some questions to ask that will help you find the best legal help possible.
8 Things to Look for When Hiring Personal Injury Attorneys
1. What Types of Cases Does Your Firm Have Experience In?
Personal injury lawsuits cover a diverse array of circumstances. Everything from animal bites to equipment failure can cause injury that a person might seek damages for. The process of gathering evidence and calling in expert testimony will vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the situation surrounding your injury in particular.
Ask the attorneys whether or not they have dealt with a case similar to your own situation before, as well as the previous outcomes of those cases. Find out the advantages and disadvantages they see in your case compared to the cases they faced in the past. Having a team on your side who has experience navigating the legal situation you’re facing can make the difference in getting a favorable outcome.
2. What Fee Will You Take for Working My Case?
Given that incurring an injury often brings expensive medical bills and loss of other income, hiring a lawyer can seem like a daunting expense. Often, you’re in a position where you can’t afford additional expenses until you’re compensated for the injury you suffered. That’s why it’s important to clarify your attorneys’ policy on taking their fees.
Find a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis to have a reassurance that your legal team is working in your best interest. A contingency fee basis means that you will not pay any sort of attorney fees until your attorneys are successful in seeking compensation for you. Your attorneys won’t get paid until you do, which means you won’t have to worry about being taken advantage of.
3. Who Will Be Working on My Case?
Having somebody on your side who has a proven track record of getting justice for people who have been in the situation you find yourself in can put your mind at ease when you’re facing a difficult time. An attorney who knows how to navigate the legal processes surrounding a personal injury case will make your life much easier.
Find out when consulting with a legal team that you’re considering who will be put in charge of seeing your case through to a resolution. That will allow you to find out more about the background of the lawyer who will be helping you as you try to make amends for the wrong you suffered. You’ll be able to research their past track record to see their background in similar cases.
4. How Will the Costs Incurred by the Case be Paid?
Between paying court fees, conducting an investigation to gather the necessary evidence, and calling upon expert witnesses, the costs of successfully carrying out a lawsuit can be steep. However, you don’t want to cut any corners to ensure that you get the best representation possible when pursuing a favorable outcome for your case.
Ensure that you’re hiring a team of attorneys who have the financial resources necessary to take on a legal case such as yours. A well-established law firm will be able to pursue your case without sparing any expense, increasing the chance of a positive resolution for you.
5. What Will I Do While Waiting for the Case to be Resolved?
Anyone who has suffered an injury knows that the physical pain the incident causes isn’t the only concern that you have to deal with. An injury also brings medical expenses, missed time from work, and a loss of ability to get around. Because it can take some time to reach a resolution for the damages you suffered, you may need help in the meantime.
Ask the personal injury attorneys that you’re considering how they will help you with these difficulties. They may be able to advise you on finding medical professionals to alleviate the difficulties caused by your injury or assist with any transportation difficulties you face. Discuss any other needs you are having difficulty meeting, as they may be able to offer some help.
6. Do You Think My Case Will Go to Trial or Reach a Settlement?
As you prepare for the legal process that lays ahead of you, it’s crucial that you and your legal team proceed with a clearly defined strategy. One important aspect of that strategy will be deciding whether to pursue a settlement for your case or taking the case to trial. It’s important that you discuss the positives and drawbacks of both possibilities in relation to your particular case.
Broadly speaking, most civil cases end up reaching settlements out of court. These resolutions are a much quicker process that will conclude your pursuit of justice with less time or money expended. However, depending on the facts of your injury, it may be worthwhile to have the case brought to court, as jury-awarded payments can often be much higher than settlements would otherwise be.
7. What is Your Level of Experience in the Courtroom?
Because most civil cases end up settled out of court, some law firms actually don’t have much direct experience arguing a case in the courtroom. However, you’ll be best positioned for success in your case if you have as many possibilities open to you as possible. You want to be prepared whether the case ends up going to trial or reaches a settlement.
Find out whether or not the attorneys you will be working with have first-hand courtroom experience so that you can factor that into your decision of which law firm to choose. Inquire as to their record in cases that have been brought to court in the past. Trying a case in court involves a diverse array of resources, and you’ll want to be prepared if that’s a direction your case goes in.
8. How Will We Remain in Contact Throughout the Case?
One crucial factor in giving you peace of mind throughout your legal case is having clear and consistent communication with your personal injury attorneys throughout the process. Before trusting a law firm with your case, establish clear expectations for communication. You’ll want to know when your lawyer is available for both urgent and non-urgent concerns, as well as what methods (email, phone, etc.) you can contact them with.
These are just some of the considerations that you’ll want to make when you’re searching for an attorney to take on your personal injury case. Talk to our experts for even more details about the help we can offer in your time of need. Get your free consultation from Gamez Law Firm today and start on the path towards the justice you deserve.