how to talk to a personal injury lawyer

How to Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer

• Fair Warning. If you or a loved one has sustained some type of personal injury, our lawyers are here to provide you with legal assistance.
• Meeting for the First Time. ...
• Asking Questions. ...
• Calling a Lawyer. ...
• Talk to a Wynperle Personal Injury Lawyer. ...

Full Answer

How does a personal injury lawyer work?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. (See " Managing Lawyer Costs & Expenses in a Personal Injury Case ".) This arrangement means that the lawyer's fee is a percentage of what you ultimately receive in compensation. And if the amount you are likely to receive is small, most lawyers won't take on the claim.

Should I hire a personal injury lawyer?

You are likely to receive more personal attention from a small law office, and many of the best personal injury lawyers choose to work in a law firm with only a few lawyers. Make sure, however, that important work on your case is not left to less experienced lawyers or staff.

How do I find a good personal injury lawyer?

There are several ways to find experienced plaintiff’s personal injury lawyers. The best way to proceed is to comparison-shop. Get the names of several lawyers and meet with each of them to discuss your claim before you decide to hire any one of them. Finding a lawyer you want to hire is one thing.

What questions should I ask when interviewing a lawyer?

When first interviewing a lawyer, ask which lawyer in the office would have primary responsibility for your case and which lawyer you would be dealing with directly. If more than one lawyer would be working on your case, ask to meet and discuss your case with the other lawyers, too.

What is considered to be a personal injury?

What is considered a “personal injury”? Personal injury can include accidents, illnesses, or trauma that affect the physical or psychological status of the person in question. It is important to understand that the type of injury, as well as its extent, will determine the seriousness of each case.

What do you say to an attorney?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

How do I ask for pain and suffering?

In order to make a pain and suffering claim, you will need to send the insurance company a demand letter, which is a summary of your claim and damages. In your demand letter, you should discuss your pain and suffering damages, supported by relevant documents and evidence.

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...•

Should I tell my lawyer the whole truth?

It's almost always advisable to tell your lawyer the whole truth about your case, even if you've committed a crime. Giving your lawyer all the facts helps them craft the best defense by raising reasonable doubt. Even when a client admits guilt, there are usually many mitigating circumstances that can come into play.

How do I present my case to my attorney?

Consider how much you are willing to do to organize your evidence, provide your witness contacts, write down a chronology (time line) of events, and generally sell yourself to your attorney, as well as the case, by appearing organized. Tell your story in the shortest possible way.

How do you calculate emotional pain and suffering?

California doesn't have a set formula for calculating pain and suffering. In order to recover damages for pain and suffering (including mental distress and other economic damages), the plaintiff must prove that they suffered this harm or are certain to suffer in the future as a result.

How do you respond to a low settlement offer?

Steps to Respond to a Low Settlement OfferRemain Calm and Analyze Your Offer. Just like anything in life, it's never a good idea to respond emotionally after receiving a low offer. ... Ask Questions. ... Present the Facts. ... Develop a Counteroffer. ... Respond in Writing.

How do you negotiate a higher settlement?

Let's look at how to best position your claim for success.Have a Settlement Amount in Mind. ... Do Not Jump at a First Offer. ... Get the Adjuster to Justify a Low Offer. ... Emphasize Emotional Points. ... Put the Settlement in Writing. ... More Information About Negotiating Your Personal Injury Claim.

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...•

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.

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...

Know what to say to attorneys when you need to hire one after an accident

Meeting with an attorney for the first time is intimidating. What's a good strategy? How long is a free consultation, and how much does it cost to talk with a lawyer? These are all questions that someone who's been in an accident would have, and they're ones we answer here...

Meeting with a lawyer for the first time

Here are some tips for when you sit down with a lawyer. Remember, initial personal injury consultations are normally free of charge and could take anywhere from 15 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the complexities of your case.

What to say when calling an attorney

When you first call an attorney's office, you will likely speak to their assistant. It will not usually be the attorney him or herself who answers the phone.

What about phone consultations with a lawyer?

You may not always be meeting the lawyer in person. In some situations, you'll be having your consultation over the phone.

Listen to your lawyer

This is just as important as talking to your lawyer, because this is why you're seeking help in the first place.

What documents do you need to bring to a personal injury lawyer?

Bring copies of all the documents you have concerning your claim: police report, medical bills, income loss information, and all correspondence with the insurance company, including your demand letter if you have reached that stage. Most personal injury lawyers don't charge for an initial consultation.

How does a lawyer's willingness to listen affect your ability to make good decisions?

A lawyer's willingness to listen and ability to understand you may affect how much you can help the lawyer and whether you can control somewhat how the lawyer does the job. A lawyer's willingness and ability to explain what is happening in your case will likewise affect your ability to make good decisions .

Can I hire a lawyer for a small claim?

However, even if your case is too small to have a lawyer take over the entire claim, it may still be possible to hire the lawyer on an hourly basis to give you advice on particular parts of your claim.

Can a personal injury lawyer work in a small law firm?

You are likely to receive more personal attention from a small law office , and many of the best personal injury lawyers choose to work in a law firm with only a few lawyers. Make sure, however, that important work on your case is not left to less experienced lawyers or staff.

Do large law offices spend money?

Also, large law offices are in the habit of freely spending money on expenses that may use up much of your potential compensation. Also, insurance companies know that large law offices often do not put as much time or concern into a typical personal injury case as do smaller law offices.

Should I choose a lawyer solely on the basis of someone else's recommendation?

But don't make any decision about a lawyer solely on the basis of someone else's recommendation. Different people will have different responses to a lawyer's style and personality.

Can you ask a lawyer to change tack?

As the case goes along, you are always free to ask the lawyer to change tack. You may get tired of the whole process and want the lawyer to wrap things up as soon as possible. Or, the cost of taking your case through the lawsuit process may begin to eat up too much of your potential compensation.