Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
When you meet with a potential personal injury attorney, think of it like a job interview. You want to make sure they’re the right candidate for the job, so you ask questions that give you an idea of their experience and skills.
You can ask questions to a personal injury lawyer related to their experience handling your type of case, their educational background and expertise, as well as their success rate for winning personal injury cases.
You can also take this opportunity to clarify your expectations for communication during the claim filing process and how they’ll manage the case. If you want an attorney who will regularly keep in touch with you and keep you updated on the case’s progress, find someone who works that way.
Asking questions not only gives you an idea of who the lawyer is as a candidate, but you can also discuss legal fees and rates. You want a legal team that will support you while being within budget, so you can get a clear estimate of the potential expenses and fees they’ll charge.
Questions To Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
Similar to a job interview, you want to go into your consultation with questions to ask the personal injury lawyer. Preparing in advance can make sure your time is productive and you don’t miss or forget any crucial inquiries. They’ll ask you questions, and you’ll ask them questions. Here are some general questions you can prepare in advance to determine if they’re the right legal representation for you:
Experience & Case History
You need a lawyer who has experience dealing with your case type. If you were injured in a car accident, you need to look for an attorney who has worked on car accident claim cases and won. Don’t just focus on the number of cases they’ve taken on—figure out how many of those they’ve won and successfully earned their client proper compensation.
Some specific questions you can ask related to their experience include:
- How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
- Have you taken on any cases similar to mine? What were the outcomes?
- What’s your success rate for personal injury cases?
Legal Fees & Payment Structure
Filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit is a significant investment of your time and money, and you want to make sure that investment won’t break the bank. You could find the best legal representation in the state, but it won’t help much if you can’t afford to work with them.
You don’t want to risk going bankrupt while trying to file your claim, so don’t be afraid to ask about their fees and payment structure.
Here are some good questions to ask an attorney about their rates:
- Do you work on a contingency fee basis? What percentage of my compensation do you take?
- Will there be any additional fees or costs if we lose the case?
- Will I be responsible for any case-related expenses?
Case Evaluation & Strategy
This initial meeting with an attorney is a two-way interview. They want to know the details of your case, and you want to know their success rate. If you have a solid case on your hands, an attorney will be more willing to take you on as a client, so you want to get an idea of how they feel about your case. Questions you can ask include:
- What strengths and weaknesses do you see in my case?
- How much do you think my case is worth? What factors can impact that estimate?
- Do you expect there to be any challenges or roadblocks in my case?
Case Handling & Communication
Different law firms have different policies for when and how often they communicate with you throughout the process. There’s no right or wrong way to communicate with your legal team—it’s more a matter of personal preference.
If you want regular updates from your attorney about the progress of your case, you have the right to look for a firm that will work with you. You can ask questions such as:
- Will you personally handle my case, or will it be assigned to another lawyer?
- Who will be my primary contact for updates about my case?
- How often can I expect to get updates on my case?
Settlement vs. Trial Strategy
In most cases, you and your legal team can settle a personal injury claim outside of court without getting a judge involved. If the negotiations aren’t productive or the other party is trying to lowball you, you can take them to trial.
This process is more complex than a settlement, and it can cost you more in legal fees. Do you want to work out a settlement or take your case to trial? You can ask your attorney what their strategies are and see if they align with your interests:
- How often do your cases go to trial? How many are settled outside of court?
- If my case were to go to trial, would you handle it personally, or would it go to someone else?
- What is your success rate for cases that end up going to trial?
Working With Insurance Companies
One of the biggest parts of settling a personal injury claim is negotiating with insurance companies. At the end of the day, they’re a business trying to make money, so they will use every trick in the book to lowball your settlement or try to shift the blame onto you.
You need legal representation that knows these tricks and how to counter them so you get the compensation you deserve. Ask questions such as:
- How do you handle negotiations with insurance companies?
- Have you successfully taken on major insurance providers in the past?
- What can I do to strengthen my case against an insurance company?
Timeline & Expectations
Lastly, no one wants their case to drag on for months due to negotiations or legal processes. You want to settle your case quickly so you can move forward past the incident and leave it all behind you.
Before you agree to work with an attorney, you can ask them questions about the potential timeline and what you can expect from the process. Ask questions such as:
- How long do you think my case will take to settle?
- What factors could delay the process?
- What are the steps in the legal process, and how can I best prepare?
Red Flags To Watch for When Hiring a Lawyer
As you’re talking to a potential attorney and asking these questions, pay attention to the answers they give you. Make sure they’re giving you clear answers and aren’t trying to dance around the question.
They should have a clear estimate for legal fees and costs, and being vague can be a warning sign. Don’t work with an attorney who lacks trial experience or experience working with your type of case.
If an attorney tries to promise you a guaranteed settlement, that’s a red flag. There are no guarantees in the legal system, and a claim can go so many different ways in a short time. If they try to 100% guarantee an exact settlement amount, they may be overselling to try and get you to say yes. Overconfidence is not always a good thing.
Final Steps Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
This first consultation with a law firm is meant to test the waters and see if they’re a good fit for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get a feel for how they work as a firm.
Ask about their rates, their experience in settlements and trials, and how they negotiate with insurance companies. The more questions you ask, the better.
You don’t have to go with the first attorney you meet with. You can shop around and schedule multiple consultations to compare responses. The goal is to find an attorney that works with your needs, so don’t settle for less. Find a lawyer who has experience and offers transparent and open communication.
Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case
Knowing the right personal injury questions to ask can help you find the right legal representation to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Prepare for a legal consultation like you would a job interview, except you’re the employer interviewing a potential candidate.
If you’re looking for legal representation in the Los Angeles area, Compass Law Group, LLP, is ready to jump into action. Our team of personal injury lawyers knows the legal system like the back of our hand, and we’re here to fight for the justice you deserve. Give us a call today to start the conversation about your legal options.
