Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Personal Injury Lawyer
When hiring a personal injury lawyer, you should be sure to ask them about their law experience. While years of experience does not always mean that the attorney has superior skill, you can learn about their educational background, important cases, and areas of concentration in their bio. Most attorneys have a page on their website highlighting their accomplishments. Read these testimonials before hiring a personal injury lawyer. Also, ask about their availability and communication style.
Another thing to ask when interviewing a personal injury attorney is if they work alone or in a team. Many law firms have associates and less experienced attorneys, and you should find out who is going to handle your case. If you are comfortable with your lawyer, you should be comfortable having him or her handle the case. If the attorney is working on a team, ask who is in charge of the team. You may also want to ask about their supervisor.
The next question you should ask when interviewing a personal injury lawyer is if they specialize in your particular area of the law. Moreover, ask if they have handled similar cases to yours. A lawyer who specializes in workers' compensation may not be as effective in handling a personal injury claim involving an automobile accident. So, it is better to find a personal injury lawyer who specializes in auto accident cases, such as those involving car accidents.
Before selecting a personal injury attorney, it is essential to know what happened to you and how it has affected you. You should know the date of the accident so that you won't run into a statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim. Also, be sure to understand the statute of limitations of your state so that you can ask specific questions about your situation. You should also be ready to provide documents supporting your claims.
Moreover, you should also know how long your personal injury case will take. Many personal injury cases settle out of court, but there are times when a trial is necessary. Ask the personal injury lawyer whether he or she has a lot of experience in jury trials. Experienced attorneys can point out unique issues that arise in your case. Ask them about their success rate in resolving cases before they go to court.
Another important question to ask when interviewing a personal injury attorney is about his or her reputation. Though it may be awkward to talk about reputation during an interview, you should ask a potential attorney whether they have received any awards or have high ratings. Avvo, for instance, gives out the "Client Choice Award" to attorneys who have received good ratings from clients. A good lawyer is likely to have received these awards and should be proud of the fact.
Depending on the type of injury you are facing, the lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for your damages. It is important to understand whether you want your lawyer to pursue trial or settle your case before it reaches trial. It is also vital to ask about the success rate of their personal injury cases in trial. If the lawyer does not have much experience, then you should avoid that lawyer. Moreover, ask if he or she has any specializations in your case.