best questions to ask when hiring personal injury lawyer

12 Questions You Need to Ask Before Hiring an Injury Lawyer

1. There are sources that rate personal injury lawyers based on what their colleagues say about them. How do you find a top-notch lawyer for a serious personal injury case? ...
2. Ask the lawyer, “What percentage of your cases are referrals from other lawyers”? ...
3. Be careful about lawyers who send “solicitation” letters to your home following an accident. ...

More items...

Full Answer

How soon should I contact a personal injury lawyer?

Some of the compensation you may receive includes:

• Payment for a new vehicle (when needed)
• Money for all medical bills including any surgeries and prescription medications
• The cost of the ambulance ride and tow truck
• Repayment for missed time at work
• Pain and suffering

What should you look for in a personal injury lawyer?

Top 5 Personal Injury Attorneys near Morgan Hill, CA

1. (✭✭✭✭✭) Nadrich & Cohen, LLP. Exceptional 5.0 Exceptional 5.0 Absolute best experience I ever had with a lawyer. ...
2. Law Offices of Teresa Li, PC. Exceptional 5.0 Exceptional 5.0 A real sincere professional,honest. ...
3. 🏆 Compass Law Group PC (Recommended) Exceptional 5.0 Exceptional 5.0
4. Accident Injury Pro CA. ...
5. 💥 (Recommended) Murphey Law Group. ...

Why should I hire a personal injury lawyer?

Why we should hire a Lawyer

1. The law is complex. If you are not a lawyer, in some cases you may not act as a lawyer in your business in a law firm. ...
2. A lawyer cannot pay you more. What is the relationship? ...
3. Lawyers know how to challenge evidence. ...
4. Submitting incorrect documents or following incorrect procedures can ruin your case. ...

Who is the best personal injury lawyer?

Who Is the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for My Case?

• Experience in the Area of Law Relevant to Your Case. ...
• Research an Attorney or Law Firm’s Reputation. ...
• Proximity to You. ...
• Schedule a Free Initial Consultation to Discuss Your Case. ...
• Ease of Access and Open Communication. ...
• Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer Who Will Fight for You. ...

How long does it take for a personal injury lawsuit to be filed in New York?

Can you give an exact figure upfront?

Can an attorney give you an estimated amount of damages?

Can a personal injury case be settled without a jury trial?

Do personal injury attorneys charge a fee in New York?

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

6 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A LawyerWhat's Your Experience? ... What Percentage Of Your Practice Is Dedicated To This Area Of Law? ... What Will This Cost? ... Can You Charge Me A Flat-Rate Fee? ... Where's My Contract? ... Can I Avoid Going To Court?

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

What percentage do most personal injury lawyers take?

33%As a general rule, the personal injury lawyer will receive 33% of the final settlement amount in the case. However, cases that go to trial often incur different costs. The goal of this fee structure is to minimize the client's financial risk in hiring an attorney to represent them.

What should you consider when hiring a lawyer?

5 Top Things to Consider When Hiring a LawyerSpecialization. The first thing you should consider when hiring an attorney is his or her area of specialization. ... Experience. Check the track record of the attorney before you hire. ... Location. ... Specifics about Billing and Representations. ... Ability To Convince You.

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

What are good questions to ask a professional?

Questions To Ask: Informational InterviewWhat are your main responsibilities as a...?What is a typical day (or week) like for you?What do you like most about your work?What do you like least about your work?What kinds of problems do you deal with?What kinds of decisions do you make?More items...

How do lawyers negotiate settlements?

The negotiation process typically starts with your lawyer providing a written proposal for settlement to the insurance adjuster or the defendant's lawyer. The adjuster or lawyer will respond to your lawyer either in writing or over the phone.

How is settlement value calculated?

If you worked prior to your injury, and are out of work as a result of your injury, you may be able to recover lost wages in your settlement. To calculate these, just multiply your monthly earnings by the number of months you were out of work due to injury.

Why do lawyers take so long to settle a case?

The reasons a case can progress slowly can be summed up into three general points: Your case is slowed down by legal or factual problems. Your case involves a lot of damages and substantial compensation. You have not reached maximum medical improvement from your injuries (this will be explained below)

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

How do you know if your lawyer is selling you out?

Signs of a Bad LawyerBad Communicators. Communication is normal to have questions about your case. ... Not Upfront and Honest About Billing. Your attorney needs to make money, and billing for their services is how they earn a living. ... Not Confident. ... Unprofessional. ... Not Empathetic or Compassionate to Your Needs. ... Disrespectful.

How do people choose a lawyer?

How do people choose attorneys?Expertise. Of the respondents to the survey who contacted an attorney, 47% said “expertise” was the main factor they considered in determining to whom they'd reach out. ... Reviews. ... Trustworthiness.

1. What do You Charge for Your Services?

Most personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. That means you won't have to pay anything unless you recover monetary damages in your personal injury lawsuit.

2. How Long Have You Been Practicing Personal Injury Law?

One of your biggest concerns should be making sure you choose an experienced attorney who has several years of experience trying cases just like yours.

3. Have You Handled Personal Injury Cases Like Mine Before? If So, Did Any Go to Trial?

Just because an attorney has experience working on cases like yours doesn't automatically make them a superstar lawyer. You want someone who has taken similar cases to trial and won. Many times, ideally.

4. What Issues or Difficulties do You See with My Case?

In every personal injury claim, there will be issues and difficulties unique to the case. An experienced lawyer will be able to point these out to you quite easily.

5. How Will You Keep Me Updated on the Progress of My Case?

Will someone be available to take your calls? The attorney? A paralegal or a secretary?

6. Do You Have Testimonials or References from Past Clients that I Can See?

Just as you'd want to see proof of past results and case relevance, you might also be interested in seeing previous clients' experiences.

7. What Happens if I Lose? Will I be Responsible for any Case-Related Costs?

This may be one of the most important questions on this list because the answer may impact your financial livelihood—listen up!

What to know before hiring a personal injury lawyer?

Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, make sure you understand your role in the lawsuit and what will be expected of you. Some people want to be very involved in their case, attending depositions and other meetings.

How much do personal injury lawyers take?

If you recover money damages, your personal injury lawyer will take a percentage of the award, typically between 25 percent (25%) and 40 percent (40%). It is important to understand the qualifications of the attorney you hire.

Do personal injury lawyers go to trial?

Be wary of any lawyers who tell you early on that your case is going to settle. Your personal injury lawyer should expect every case to go to trial and prepare as if your case will be tried before a jury. That way, you can enter settlement negotiations with the defendant armed with as much evidence as possible.

Should I file a personal injury lawsuit?

You should never file a personal injury lawsuit without first consulting with an attorney. Before you hire a personal injury attorney, there are some very important questions that you should ask. Your lawyer is someone with whom you will work very closely. You should feel comfortable with this person, and consider him or her a trusted advisor.

Can you negotiate a settlement with a defendant?

That way, you can enter settlement negotiations with the defendant armed with as much evidence as possible. This will help ensure that you receive the fairest settlement possible. If your case ultimately goes to trial, you want to make sure that your personal injury attorney has won cases before a jury.

Do personal injury lawyers charge contingency fees?

Some personal injury lawyers charge for any case-related costs they advance in addition to the contingency fee. Ask your lawyer who will be responsible for these costs (also known as “ out-of-pocket ” costs) in the event that your personal injury lawsuit is unsuccessful.

Why is personal injury case so hard to answer?

This is a tough questions to answer because each case is different and each person’s injuries are different. Generally speaking, the value of a personal injury case depends on the extent of a person’s injuries and how those injuries will affect the person throughout his or her life. Although your lawyer can never make promises or guarantees about ...

Do you have to pay a personal injury lawyer?

Many personal injury lawyers represent clients on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay fees to your personal injury lawyer unless you recover damages in your personal injury case. If you do, your lawyer will take a percentage of the compensation he or she obtains for you. You should be clear on this percentage amount before agreeing to have him or her represent you.

Do you want an attorney who has never been in trouble?

Obviously, you want an attorney who has never gotten into any trouble. Ask your personal injury lawyer whether he or she has ever been subject to disciplinary proceedings by the State Bar of Texas.

Can you file a personal injury lawsuit without an attorney?

When securing compensation for any injuries you may have sustained, you need to be sure you have the right personal injury lawyer representing you. Lawsuits should never be done without an attorney, as these specialists know exactly what you should do in order to win the case.

Do personal injury lawyers get paid?

Most personal injury lawyers will get paid based on contingency fees. This means that you won’t have to pay them any fees unless they win you that lawsuit. You will be told right away whether your case is on the winning or losing side. In the event that you do get your compensation, they will get a share of it as well.

Can a lawyer have no cases lined up?

Hiring a lawyer that has no cases lined up might be a problem. On the other hand, you should not go for the type that takes on too many cases at the same time. If this happens, they may sit too long on your case and focus on many other clients at once when they should be focusing on yours instead.

Do law firms have more lawyers?

A law firm usually has more lawyers, so there is a chance that they will pass your case to other available lawyers. This might not be a problem, but you should at least ensure that you know exactly who will be representing you. 6.

Can you ask questions later in a personal injury case?

Hiring a personal injury lawyer can be challenging, but as long as you ask the right questions, you should find one that is compatible with your needs. “Shoot first, ask questions later” does not work in this case, so you might want to do your research and have your questions answered.

2. Does the Attorney Have Experience with Similar Cases?

Today, personal injury cases are a desirable option in the legal industry. That’s because they tend to be less complex than other types of legal situations (in some cases).

3. How Much Time Can They Spend on Your Case?

A busy personal injury attorney means they are good at their job. However, you don’t want to find an attorney that is so busy that they don’t have time to focus on your case and help you recover a fair amount of compensation. Be sure to ask how much time they have to devote to your case before hiring them.

4. Do They Think Your Case Will Have to Go to Trial?

There’s no way for an attorney to know for sure if your case will have to go to trial. But it is a good idea to be prepared either way. Also, the process of preparing a case to go to trial is extensive. You need to ensure the attorney you hire has real-world experience in the courtroom.

5. How Soon Can They File Your Lawsuit?

Be sure to request dates and provide the attorney with a deadline. If you don’t do this, some lawyers will wait to file your case for as long as they can. They can charge you more by doing this, and the attorney can develop a log of work to keep them busy when times are slow.

6. What Will You Have to Do During the Lawsuit Process?

If you hire an attorney, you may believe they will handle everything from that point on. This is not the case. You also have a role in your personal injury lawsuit. Be sure to find out what you will have to do and what is expected of you. This will help ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.

7. What Is a Fair Settlement Amount?

There’s no way for an attorney to give you an exact amount that you can expect to receive. However, their experience should allow them to provide you with an estimate. Be sure to ask about this. You can also ask why the attorney thinks this amount is fair.

Hire an Attorney for Help with Your Personal Injury Case

After considering the answers given for the seven questions above, you should have a pretty good idea of who you want to hire for your case.

How long does it take for a personal injury lawsuit to be filed in New York?

Keep in mind that New York has a statute of limitations of 3 years after a personal injury incident takes place.

Can you give an exact figure upfront?

An exact figure usually cannot be given upfront, due to unknowns such as liability, discovery, and medical evidence.

Can an attorney give you an estimated amount of damages?

At this evaluation stage, the attorney will not be able to give you even an estimated dollar amount of your damages but should be able to tell you if you are legally entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and possibly other categories depending on your individual case.

Can a personal injury case be settled without a jury trial?

If a fair, reasonable offer is negotiated prior to trial, it’s possible that a personal injury case could be settled without a jury trial; however, if no amount can be agreed upon by both parties a jury trial may be inevitable.

Do personal injury attorneys charge a fee in New York?

In New York, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means you are not charged a legal fee unless the attorney wins your case, and the fee will be a percentage of your compensation award. Find out what that percentage is and whether there will be additional costs in addition to the legal fee.