what to ask your pwrsonal injury lawyer when you meet them

by Dr. Rudolph Goldner 10 min read

One of the first questions you should ask a personal injury attorney is their experience. You should know their qualifications and have the assurance necessary to trust in their history and past case results. You can also ask them where they received their education and how long they have been involved in personal injury law.

What to Bring When You Meet Your Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Medical Records. Your medical records will be the most important documentation that you can bring with you. ...
  • Receipts and Paystubs. ...
  • Police Reports. ...
  • Insurance Information. ...
  • Witness Information and Reports. ...
  • Personal Account and Timeline.
Oct 17, 2019

Full Answer

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...•Jan 29, 2017

What percentage do most personal injury lawyers take?

33-55%Unlike many other lawsuits, attorneys in personal injury cases are most often paid through a contingency fee agreement. If you're asking what percentage do lawyers take for personal injury services, the answer is they usually receive 33-55% of the award as payment fees.May 17, 2021

What are five things you should ask your lawyer?

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...•Apr 13, 2018

How do I know if my lawyer is cheating me?

The attorney does not return phone calls in a reasonable amount of time, and; In a meeting with the client, if the lawyer is being very short, taking phone calls, trying to re-schedule, not giving enough time to the client, does not listen, ignores what is asked or is not answering questions.Nov 28, 2015

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.Dec 17, 2018

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.Oct 28, 2020

How do you tell your lawyer what you want?

Practice telling your attorney exactly what you want, and don't be afraid to ask questions....Your lawyer should be happy to answer all of your questions.If you don't understand something your lawyer has said, ask for clarification. ... Ask your lawyer to explain the reasoning behind their advice.More items...

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

Typically the contingency rate free ranges from 33%-45% of the recovery. A contingency fee agreement is a payment arrangement that enables injured victims pursuing legal recourse to have legal representation, even if they do not have the financial ability to pay a lawyer out of pocket.Aug 3, 2021

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!

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.

What questions should I ask a personal injury attorney?

One of the first questions you should ask a personal injury attorney is their experience. You should know their qualifications and have the assurance necessary to trust in their history and past case results. You can also ask them where they received their education and how long they have been involved in personal injury law. If you want further insight, ask them why they

Who is the attorney for auto accident in Salem Oregon?

The personal injury lawyer at the Youd Law Firm has been handling auto accident claims for over 27 years. Personal Injury Attorney Lance D. Youd helps clients in Salem, Portland, the Willamette Valley area, and Marion County get full and fair compensation for their injuries. Let him work hard to get you a fair settlement as smooth and seamless as possible. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Can you hand over a personal injury case to another lawyer?

You should know beforehand which personal injury lawyer will be in charge of your case.

Should I ask an attorney about personal injury?

Whether you were in an automobile accident, slip-and-fall accident, or something else, never assume that an attorney has already worked on your type of case. Instead, ask every legal team you meet with if they have experience handling cases like yours .

Do personal injury cases go to trial?

Most personal injury cases don’t go trial. Typically, these cases will settle out-of-court. There are many benefits to settling, but sometimes going to trial will be in your best interest. Ask potential personal injury attorneys whether they expect to go to trial or settle.

What is the mark of a top lawyer?

One mark of a top lawyer is any awards and honors they have been given by legal organizations. Leadership of bar associations is another type of honor.Lawyers who are elected to leadership posts tend to have a lot of hustle that has attracted the admiration of their peers. 9.

What percentage of a lawyer's fee is still nothing?

(One-third of nothing, or 40 percent of nothing, is still nothing.)

What is a clearinghouse lawyer?

In every city, there are "clearinghouse" lawyers who advertise heavily and get many clients as a result – and who then either settle their cases quickly or refer them to other lawyers to do the real work. (The "clearinghouse" lawyer gets a piece of the fee for making such a referral.)

How many medical specialties are there in a case?

A typical case can involve three, six or even more medical specialties, each one of which needs to have an expert witness hired to deal with issues in that specialty. If a lawyer lacks the resources to fund a case properly, corners can be cut at the expense of the client's case.

Can a lawyer promise to pay out of pocket expenses?

In some jurisdictions, lawyers can promise the client that the client will never be liable for the lawyer's out-of-pocket expenses. Other jurisdictions prohibit this and require that the client always be ultimately responsible for case expenses, win or lose.

Can you have more than one lawyer?

There's nothing wrong with having more than one lawyer on the case. Top lawyers typically run teams of lawyers who handle different aspects of the case. The senior lawyer may delegate more routine functions to less experienced lawyers.Find out how the team functions.

Do real lawyers go to court?

On the other hand, real lawyers actually go to court and try cases the old-fashioned way: in front of judges and juries. Real lawyers settle cases out of court too, but they also compile a track record of verdicts that they will tell you about if you ask.