questions to ask when interviewing a personal injury lawyer

^{Personal Injury Client Interview Questions}

• When did the accident occur exactly? The attorney you are speaking with is going to want to know exactly when the accident happened. ...
• How did the accident happen? Who was involved? Whose fault do you claim that it was? What were the exact series of events that led to the injury or damages? ...
• Where did the accident happen? Do your best to determine the exact location of your accident. This will help your attorney to determine the appropriate venue for any legal action.
• What injuries were sustained due to the accident? Make sure to be thorough in detailing your exact injuries to the attorney when you speak with them. ...
What witnesses can attest to the injury event? After any accident, whether it is a car accident or a workplace accident, you will want to ensure that you know every ...
Where have you been treated for your injuries? This last one is a very important one. ...

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. ...

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 are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?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 are the qualities of the best car accident lawyer?

The following are key qualities possessed by the best personal injury lawyers.Availability. It is prudent to search for a lawyer who is readily available whenever you require his or her services. ... Professionalism. ... Approachability. ... Sincerity. ... Record of Success.

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.

Who pays costs in personal injury claims?

The general rule in personal injury claims in relation to payment of costs is that the 'losing' party pays the 'winning' party's costs.

How is settlement value calculated?

Settlement value is essentially based on what a jury would award you for what you went through because of your injury. That number is the sum of your pain, your suffering, your bills, and your lost wages.

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.

What are the personality requirements of a personal injury lawyer?

7 Personality Traits of Best Personal Injury Attorneys (What to Look for In an Attorney)Excellent Communication Skills. ... Excellent Judgement and Analytical Skills. ... Research Ability. ... Negotiation Skills. ... Assertiveness. ... Perseverance. ... Compassion.

Do I need to Interview my Personal Injury Lawyer?

Before you enlist the services of a personal injury attorney, it is very important that you learn basic information about them. This can be done in an informal interview over the phone and through e-mail, before you hire them.

What information should be obtained from the interview?

An interview of your potential lawyer should disclose detailed information in two general areas: information related to the lawyer and information related to your personal injury case . Ideally, you should formulate your own interview using a scripted checklist of questions organized around these two themes.

Are there any other considerations?

Double check the personal injury attorney’s credentials and confirm that they are validly licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction. You should also be aware that a court can dismiss an attorney if they have a conflict of interest that would impair their ability to represent you.

Why is it important to ask a personal injury lawyer to interview?

Although uncomfortable, it’s important to ask this to the personal injury lawyer you’re interviewing so that you know if he or she has been in trouble in the past and the reasons it’s for. You want to make sure you’re hiring someone with integrity and respect for the legal profession.

What happens if a personal injury lawyer takes on too many cases at once?

If a personal injury lawyer takes on too many cases at once, your case might not be handled competently. It’s always good to know how many cases a lawyer works on at a time so that you can decide if he or she has the necessary amount of time to effectively help you win your case. 4.

Why do people settle out of court?

Many people prefer settling out of court because it is much less stressful.

What is communication in personal injury?

Communication is a huge topic of conversation between you and your future personal injury lawyer. You need to set boundaries and discuss different methods of contact so that you are both clear and comfortable moving forward.

Can a personal injury attorney work on your case?

You most likely want to know if the personal injury attorney has any similar experience in his or her past that will help you win your case. Some people only want experienced attorneys. Others are okay with allowing new attorneys to work on their case. It’s up to you, but you should be able to make the choice yourself.

Do personal injury lawyers know if you have a case?

Usually, the personal injury lawyer will let you know after some research as to whether or not you have a case. But, feel free to ask just in case they already know the answer.

Is it hard to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Hiring a personal injury lawyer might seem difficult and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Lawyers go through intensive schooling and education to be able to represent clients competently. When you or a family member has been injured, hiring a lawyer might be the last thing on your mind.

Prepare for Your Meeting

Schedule a preliminary meeting, often called an initial consultation to meet with the personal injury law firm, learn more about their expertise, and provide them with the details of your case.

Background & Experience

A logical place to start the meeting is by asking about the firm and its attorneys' legal background, experience, and skills. Consider asking these questions:

Legal Philosophy & Style of Practicing Law

Also ask questions about the lawyer's philosophy toward practicing law. Among the questions you should consider asking:

Assessment of the Case

Describe the facts of your situation to the personal injury lawyer. This will help the attorney make an accurate assessment of the case. Among the questions to consider asking:

Case Management

Now you should move on to questions about how your personal injury case will be managed. Among the questions to consider asking:

Legal Fees

Most personal injury law firms work on a contingency fee basis, but you'll want to confirm this in each meeting. Questions to consider asking include:

Hiring a Personal Injury Law Firm

It's important to remember that there's no single "best" personal injury law firm. Instead, you want to hire the best personal injury lawyer for your case. After you've finished your initial consultations, you'll want to think about how each meeting went and which attorney is the best attorney for your case. Consider the following:

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.

Is there a list of questions attorneys are likely to ask their clients?

After an accident, common personal injury questions will focus on exactly what happened to you, and will help your attorney assess your case.

What are some good questions to ask a lawyer?

It’s natural for an attorney to have questions about an injury you have sustained, since the answers give them a fuller picture of your situation. At the same time, when answering the personal injury interview questions asked by your attorney, it’s also natural that you might have some questions of your own.

How to Find a Good Accident Attorney

If you have additional personal injury interview questions, or you’re wondering what qualifies as a personal injury in your case, all you need to do is ask – Avrek Law provides free personal injury consultations!