At any moment, our lives can be completely altered by the events that transpire after an accident occurs and there are many important questions to ask. These moments are often filled with panic, shock, and confusion. Ultimately, leaving the victim in question unsure of what first steps to take when they’ve been hurt.
Despite the uncertainty, it’s important to know that the first person you should contact after your accident is your doctor. After this call, you should begin to seek out a personal injury attorney; one that is both experienced and qualified. To determine whether the personal injury attorney you’ve chosen is worthy of your case, you’ll need to prepare the right questions.
Below, we’ve listed our top ten important questions you can ask your personal injury attorney for your personal injury case:
1. What areas of law does the attorney specialize in?
The first thing you need to know is what area of law is the attorney specialized in. The attorney you need will be the one who is specialized in personal injury law.
2. Has the attorney taken any similar cases? How many? Did the attorney win or lose?
The second question to ask a personal injury attorney is whether they had similar cases and how they turned out. It doesn’t mean every personal injury attorney is highly skilled in that particular area even though it’s their specialty.
3. Who will be working on the case?
You need to know if the person you chose will work on your case or other individuals will be involved. There is a high possibility that junior attorneys and non-attorney case managers conduct all of the work. This fact alone may greatly influence your decision to pursue this particular personal injury attorney.
4. How long will the case last for?
Florida personal injury attorney should be able to tell you the general estimate on how long the case might last. He/she gives the estimate based on similar cases in the past.
5. Does the attorney work on a contingency basis?
Most of the personal injury attorneys in Florida will take a portion of the settlement you receive at the end. So, the attorney is contingent upon you getting paid.
However, while you await your settlement, you can opt for pre-settlement funding. Pre-settlement funding will keep you financially stable and able to pay for your medical expenses.
6. How to improve the chances of the case being successful?
When you hire a reputable attorney, they’ll ask you to be an active participant in your case. Your attorney will need you to see a number of doctors, talk to investigators, and be fully involved in the case.
7. How frequently does the attorney go to trial?
An attorney who rarely goes to trial may be a sign that they’re only there for the fast payoff. This is a clear indicator that they are not working to get you the maximum settlement you are entitled to.
8. Has the attorney ever been censured or disciplined by legal or ethics committee?
You should definitely know the answer to this question because it may affect their ability to effectively represent you.
9. If client and attorney disagree on accepting a settlement, will the attorney accept client’s wishes?
No one can require you to settle a case if you don’t want to. However, some attorneys may withdraw from the case if they think you should accept the settlement proposed to you. This is why you need an answer to this question.
Can the attorney provide references from past clients?
If you’re in a jurisdiction where past references are allowed, the attorney should be more than willing to provide them to you. Review these references in detail to help you gain a better understanding of case outcomes and experiences.
These were just some of the simple questions to ask when interviewing a personal injury attorney. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact The Law Office of Dan Zohar. Our phones are answered 24/7.