Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer

By Staff Reporter Aug 19, 2021 12:58 PM EDT

Recovering what you deserve for your injuries and losses after an accident is important but difficult. If you live in Florida, you may need to hire a personal injury lawyer in Orlando to represent your interests in settlement negotiations.

Personal injury law professionals never recommend filing an injury lawsuit without consulting a lawyer first. Before hiring your personal injury lawyer, you should ask them some very important questions.

Choosing A Personal Injury Lawyer

You should feel comfortable with your lawyer because you will be working with them very closely. Law professionals recommend interviewing at least two attorneys before deciding on one to represent you. Here are some questions to ask potential personal injury lawyers:

What does it cost?

Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you will not have to pay a fee until you recover damages in your lawsuit. If you recover financial damages, your personal injury lawyer will take a percentage, between 25% and 40%, of that award. Ask them upfront what percentage of your settlement they will receive if they win your case.

What happens if I lose, do I still need to pay?

Some personal injury lawyers charge for any case-related costs they advance to you. It's vital to understand who will be responsible for these costs if you lose your personal injury claim.

How many cases have you tried that are similar to mine?

Ask every potential lawyer about his or her experience and results before hiring them. If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may not want to hire a personal injury attorney who has only worked on premises liability lawsuits. Choosing the right attorney with the correct kind of experience could improve your chances of winning your claim.

Will you dedicate the time necessary to help us win the case?

Many law firms encourage their lawyers to take on as many cases as possible. This could be detrimental to your claim because it won't get the attention it deserves. It's important to speak with your potential injury attorney about the time they'll devote to your claim. You'll want to get a clear idea of when your claim will be filed and when your claim's process will begin.

How long do claims like mine take to resolve?

Many factors will influence how long it takes to resolve your case. Potential attorneys, however, can use their experience to give you a rough estimate. Cases can drag on but it's imperative to choose an attorney committed to resolving your case as quickly as possible.

Do you foresee my case going to trial, and what is your trial success rate?

Your personal injury lawyer should be prepared for your case to go to trial. If the defendant understands the seriousness of your accusations and your willingness to put time, energy, and resources into your claim, then this could help improve your settlement negotiations. If your case does end up going to trial, you'll want to make sure your lawyer is experienced and prepared.

What is the value of my claim?

Personal injury attorneys should be able to use their experience and the details of your claim to estimate what your claim could be worth. Usually, attorneys can prove a range of possibilities and how the other factors such as discovery, liability, and pre existing medical issues could impact a settlement offer or verdict.

It's vital for you to do some research, ask all the right questions, and feel connected to your personal injury attorney. This person will guide you through some of the most important decisions you'll make. Be wary of personal injury attorneys who make unrealistic promises.