Once you or a loved one has been in an accident or suffered a personal injury and has decided to start the process of hiring a personal injury attorney, you should schedule a free consultation. As you are preparing for that meeting, gather all the pertinent documents you need and start thinking about questions to ask. Take time to sit down and review any questions you’d like to discuss with the attorney.
It is okay to interview several attorneys before you hire one. Your decision on hiring the personal injury attorney you are going to be working with can affect your outcome. Find a Pasadena law firm that you can trust and feel comfortable working with.
Here are a few questions you might like to ask:
How does your fee work?
Understanding the fee structure that your injury attorney is offering will help you know what type of fees you should expect to pay whether your case is won or lost.
Will I end up owing you more money than my case settlement when this is over?
This will help you to discover the expenses that are on top of the fees. Some attorneys charge expenses on top of the fees for handling your case and you could end up with them regardless of the outcome of your case.
Have you taken a case like mine before and how many?
It is important to understand how experienced they are in cases like yours. It will also give you an idea as to if they have unique experience and understand the area of law of your case.
How much do you think my personal injury case is worth?
Be wary of any attorney that gives you a fixed amount on the first interview. There are many factors that are involved in determining the value of your claim. Most Pasadena law firms offer a free consultation to new clients, do as many as you need until you find the right fit.
Will you be my attorney throughout my entire case?
Some law firms will have most of the cases handed to paralegals or junior associates, so they may not be the one who Is actually handling your case. Make sure an attorney that you are comfortable with will manage your case.
If my case has to go to court, do you litigate the case and/or take them to trial?
Although most personal injury cases are settled through negotiation and do not end up in court, you’ll want to make sure that your attorney has the ability, skill, and experience to take it to trial.
What can I do to ensure the success of my case?
This is very important to ask. In today’s electronic monitored environment, your everyday activities can help or hurt your case. Something as simple as a simple social media post can be used against you. This is why it is extremely important to avoid posting on social media or talking about your case. Ask your attorney for guidance to avoid these landmines.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
While each case varies in the time to completion. Your attorney should be able to give you some guidelines on what they have experienced to give you an educated time frame with an idea of anything that could cause delays.
How would I be able to contact you and what kind of response time could I expect?
By addressing this while you are interviewing a potential attorney you can find out their communication style and how accessible they are. As well as a reasonable expectation of how they will communicate with you.
A consultation should be an in-depth conversation about your unique situation but also a conversation to determine if you feel the attorney is qualified, has had time to devote to your case, and is someone you will be comfortable working with on your case. Treat it like an interview process, make sure that you feel comfortable, and don’t feel pressured into making a quick decision.
If you or one of your loved ones have been injured and are in the process of dealing with its aftermath, having a Pasadena personal injury lawyer on your side can affect your ability in achieving fair compensation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation. We make your fight, our fight.
Click here for our complete guide to hiring a personal injury lawyer.