Are you wondering, “Is it a lot of work to hire a personal injury attorney?†The truth is, no, it is not.
However, hiring a lawyer is a personal task.
You often have to divulge information to your lawyer that you may not want to share. That is why it is so vital to hire the right attorney. When you work with a lawyer you like and trust, you are more likely to have a positive outcome in your case.
Here are some critical questions you should ask when searching for a “Personal injury lawyer near me.†There is also some information from real reviews to help you avoid pitfalls in your search.
In this guide, you will find answers to essential questions like:
- Are accident lawyers worth it?
- Can I make a personal injury claim myself?
- What should I look for in a lawyer?
- How do I find the best attorney for my case?
- What questions should you ask a personal injury lawyer?
Keep reading to find out more about choosing a personal injury lawyer to represent your accident case.
Questions People Have When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
If you are like most people, you have questions regarding how to choose an attorney, if a personal injury attorney is worth it, and if you can make a claim yourself.
So, here are some answers to those pressing questions.
How Do I Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Asking yourself, “how do I choose a personal injury lawyer?†is an essential part of hiring a qualified attorney.
You can select an attorney from any online database.
However, you need to make sure the lawyer you choose is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Bar Association in your state. If they are not, they are not licensed to practice law.
It also helps to read personal injury attorney reviews. The top professionals will all have a positive record. Client reviews can also give you an idea of what it is like to work with your attorney. Not all clients and attorneys get along. An attorney-client relationship that works in one case may not work in another.
Can I make a Personal Injury Claim Myself?
You can make a personal injury claim yourself.
However, it is not an easy road. Insurance companies tend to give individuals the runaround.
Furthermore, if your case ends up going to court, you will want to have legal representation.
Although, most of the time, when an automobile accident victim has a good lawyer, the insurance company settles the case. You can make a claim yourself, but you might save time and money in the long run by hiring a professional to handle it for you.
Is it Worth It to Hire an Accident Attorney?
If you have been in an accident, a lawyer specializing in personal injury can help you reach a quick and beneficial case resolution. Receiving the compensation you deserve could make a massive difference in your quality of life in the future.
Accident attorneys know what the insurance companies will and won’t do. Without this expert knowledge, it is easy to sell yourself short or hold out too long and lose money.
You Want to Settle Your Case Quickly
If you want to get your case settled quickly, you should think about hiring an attorney. While you may be able to file a claim against the insurance company yourself, the claims adjuster is likely to drag things out for as long as possible if dealing directly with you.
Having an attorney can help you settle your case faster, so you can move on with your life.
You Are Out Of Work
When you are out of work, it affects your entire family. Your spouse likely feels responsible for picking up the financial slack, and your kids have to go without the extras. That can cause a lot of tension in your home. Your family likely wants to be supportive of you, but financial stress can cause turmoil in your home.
Your injury attorney can help you settle your case so you can get the medical treatment you need and money for your expenses while you are out of work.
Your Family Has Suffered a Significant Financial Loss
If you have suffered a significant financial loss due to your accident, you need compensation. In these cases, you must have a reliable lawyer by your side. Your family and your future depend on it.
Your Injuries Were Substantial
When you sustain injuries in a significant accident, many times, they are life-changing. Whether you have to undergo several surgeries, rehabilitation, or you live with chronic pain, you will likely have some longterm effects from your accident.
Anytime you suffer significant physical harm, it is essential to have legal representation. If you need longterm medical care, you will need the money to pay for that. When you are the victim of an accident, you need to hold the at-fault party responsible. Otherwise, you and your family could suffer lost wages, medical challenges, and more.
What Should I Look for In a Lawyer?
Another crucial question is, “what should I look for in a lawyer?â€
The truth is, it depends on your case, life, and personality. You want to work with an attorney that you get along with and someone who has a proven record of winning cases.
How do I Find the Best Attorney for My Case?
If you want to know, “how do I find the best attorney for my case,†you need to determine what outcome you want from your case.
Then, sit down with a few attorneys and see how they would approach the insurance companies.
During your consultations, you should get a pretty good idea of what it would be like to work with each attorney. Make notes during your appointments, so you have information to review later.
Your attorney needs to have experience handling cases like yours. Just because an attorney is qualified does not mean they have the necessary experience to get you the best possible results. If your case involves an 18-wheeler, you should have an attorney with experience handling claims against commercial insurance policies.
Likewise, if you were hurt on the job, you need an attorney who has experience with workman’s comp claims. Hiring legal counsel that only has experience handling accident cases won’t be your best choice for a job-related injury.
What Questions Should You Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are some questions that you should ask your personal injury lawyer before you sign a representation agreement. You want to know that you and your attorney are on the same page.
How Much Are Your Fees?
Knowing how much you will need to pay your auto injury lawyer is essential. Some states regulate the amount an attorney can take out of your settlement.
So, be sure to check with the laws in your state.
You should also be able to find an attorney that will take your case on contingency. That means that you do not have to pay anything unless the attorney wins your case. If there are any case-related costs, most attorneys will ask you to pay that upfront.
Most lawyers charge 33.3 percent for contingency cases.
Although, in most areas, the law firm decides the fee. So, it is vital to ask how much the costs will be before the attorney begins working on your case. You should also get that information in writing in the form of a representation agreement.
If I Lose What Case-Related Costs Will I Need to Pay?
Attorneys can’t win every case. So, there is always a possibility that your case will not result in a settlement for you. If you do not receive a case resolution, you need to know what you will be responsible for paying.
Typically, an attorney may ask you to pay for certain things during the discovery process, when the lawyers gather evidence regarding the case. The documents an attorney might ask you to retrieve include: death certificates, financial statements, medical records, insurance documents, and other documents.
The fees for obtaining documents needed by your attorney should be nominal. If your case goes to trial, there may be some additional trial-related fees for:
- Expert witnesses
- Scientific analysis
- Medical tests
- Paralegal research
How Much Do You Think My Case Is Worth?
You need to know if pursuing your case is even worth it. So, you should have an idea of how much your case is worth.
While no attorney can tell you what the outcome of your lawsuit will be, an experienced lawyer will have an idea of how much the insurance company will be willing to pay to settle your claim.
We have a personal injury calculator that you can get an estimate on what your case may be worth.
Have You Tried Any Cases Similar to Mine?
When your health and well-being are in question, you need your attorney to know exactly what they are doing.
Now is not the time to take a chance on a lawyer without experience in cases similar to yours.
How Much Time Will You Spend On My Case?
While asking just one attorney how much time they will spend on your case will not provide you with much information, when you are shopping attorneys, it can help determine how much time your legal representative is willing to spend on your case.
Will You or Someone Else In Your Office Handle My Case?
Most attorneys have a paralegal that handles most of their pre-litigation cases. Some of the things a paralegal might do include:
- Case researchÂ
- Sending demand letters
- Organizing depositions
- Contacting witnesses
- Collecting witness statements
At other law firms, the attorney themself might do a lot of these functions.
Either way, you need to know who you need to contact and who will be contacting you for information during your case.
How Long Do You Think My Case Will Take to Resolve?
Having an idea of how long it will take to resolve your case is essential. You need to get back to a healthy life as quickly as possible. Be sure you ask each attorney you meet with how long they think it will take to settle your case.
What Do I Need to Do to Have a Positive Settlement Outcome?
The outcome of your case will depend largely on your actions while you are waiting for your settlement. Some attorneys will ask you to go to physical therapy several times per week. Others will ask you to provide them with evidence to help prove your case.
You should expect to do some work on your case.
However, you have to know what your attorney expects from you and what you can expect from them.
Do You Think My Case Will Go to Trial? If It Does, Can You Handle the Trial?
It is vital to ask your attorney if they think they can settle your case outside of court and if they can handle the litigation.
Otherwise, in the event your case does go to trial, you will need to hire another attorney to handle your lawsuit at that time.
This is very important. You want to find an attorney like Chris Stoy that tries more case than any other lawyer in Fort Worth, Texas. Insurance companies know that Stoy Law Group will take a case all the way to trial and will not settle for less than a case is worth.
Can You Give Me A Reference?
When you are looking to hire a lawyer to represent you in a personal injury case, you have to do more than just search for, “personal injury lawyer near me.†You need proof that the person you hire is qualified.
So, ask them for a reference. Any top attorney should have plenty of clients who are willing to give them a recommendation.
Personal Injury Lawyer Reviews
In addition to asking the right questions, personal injury lawyer reviews can be an excellent resource. Client reviews give first-hand insight into what it will be like to work with a specific law firm.
However, it is essential to remain objective. More people write reviews when they are upset, so satisfied clients might be underrepresented.
Some of the best sites to find a car accident attorney are:
- Avvo
- Lawyers.com
- FindLaw
- LegalMatch
- Martindale
You can also check with friends and family. Many people work with personal injury attorneys. So, there is a good chance you know someone who has a great auto accident lawyer.
Final Thoughts on Hiring an Auto Accident Attorney
Hiring an experienced attorney may be the best thing you can do to protect yourself when you are in an auto collision. You must handle your claim in a timely manner, and a personal injury attorney has the skills and knowledge to reach a quick resolution in your case. Contact us today so you can be represented by the best auto accident attorneys and find a swift and just resolution to your case.
