While some people always have a good lawyer on retainer, others do not seek legal representation until they need it. In either case, finding an experienced attorney is a process not to take lightly.
In personal injury cases, having a qualified lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in whether you win your case and how much you receive in a settlement. When meeting with prospective attorneys, you should ask some essential questions.
What Do You Charge for Your Services?
Make sure your personal injury attorney works on a contingency fee basis. Instead of taking money upfront, they charge a percentage of the damages awarded or the settlement you receive. Put simply, they should not get paid until you do.
In most cases, attorneys charge 20%-40% of the total award or settlement. Make sure to ask about the rate before signing any agreement.
How Much Experience Do You Have Handling My Kind of Personal Injury Case?
Do not be shy about asking how long that lawyer has been in practice. While hiring someone fresh out of law school is not necessarily a bad thing, a seasoned attorney has likely encountered legal snags and situations that could affect the outcome of your case.
Furthermore, each personal injury claim is unique, and you should try to find an attorney with extensive experience handling your type of case. Suppose you are filing a lawsuit against the owner of a dog that bit you. In that case, you might benefit from the guidance of a lawyer in Cincinnati experienced in dog bite cases. Personal injury claims differ in the laws that cover the nature and type of injury you incur. Therefore, having an attorney who knows those laws’ intricacies will be to your advantage.
In addition to years of experience, don’t forget to ask about their success rate. Although not all lawyers disclose this information, you have the right to inquire about it.
How Many of Your Personal Injury Cases Have Gone to Trial?
While years of experience can be beneficial, you should look for other attributes. One important one is how many times they have taken a case to trial and won. It would be a mistake to assume that if a lawyer has handled many cases, they automatically know how to try a claim in court.
Most personal injury cases settle without ever going to court. However, it would help if you did not necessarily count on that happening in your situation. You will want an attorney with ample trial experience who knows what it takes to win.
What Difficulties Do You See in My Claim?
It can be hard to hear the truth, but it usually saves time and frustration in the long run. Even if you think your case is straightforward and completely valid, a trained attorney can see the challenges and potential legal snags that you may not.
Also, you want a lawyer who is honest with you, not just optimistic. If a prospective attorney tells you that there are absolutely no problems with your case, you might need to keep shopping around. A competent attorney should be able to anticipate and point out the issues in your claim. Given the difficulties that your unique case may pose, your lawyer should let you know all your options so that you can make informed decisions.
If you need to pursue a personal injury claim, take some time to know the lawyer you are considering hiring. Knowing some key questions can save you frustration and possibly increase your chance of getting the compensation you need. Moreover, a qualified personal injury attorney in Cincinnati will be happy to answer your questions and address all your concerns before moving forward.