Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Many people who are hiring a lawyer are hiring one for the first time and are thus not familiar with the profession and its specialties. There are criminal lawyers, divorce lawyers, corporate lawyers…and a lot more…but when you need a personal injury lawyer in Joliet, you need a lawyer who can do that job the best. Here are some questions to ask before hiring a personal injury lawyer.

First of all, ask about fees

It is important that you and your personal injury lawyer in Joliet get to know each other so you can both work well together. The first thing that you will want an answer to is whether or not the law firm will charge you a fee. Most often, lawyers promise that you only pay when you win, but it is still a question to ask about. How does the law firm get paid if you don’t win, and will any expenses or other fees come your way? It is also a good idea to ask around to find out how this agency’s fees match those of personal injury lawyers at other firms.

Secondly, ask about their successes and failures in the past

Ask if they have ever tried cases like this one before. Have they had any experience with cases involving personal injury? Most importantly, does the personal injury lawyer in Joliet have any interest in this type of case? This will give you some idea of whether or not they will be dedicated to you.

These questions also speak to experience. If you and your personal injury lawyer in Joliet have to go to trial, does this lawyer have the experience to represent you? Do they have a strong success rate? You don’t want a lawyer who will push you to settle too early, but one who is ready and willing to go to trial armed with as much information as they can get to lead you to the best outcome.

Thirdly, ask about their experiences with other clients and their relationships with other law firms

Will they allow you to talk to other past clients? Do they have reference letters to give? You will also need to know how busy they are and how many referrals they get from other firms. Can they give your case the amount of time that it needs, and are they respected enough in the field to take clients from their peers? Do they know their stuff? This questioning will also tell you if the personal injury lawyer in Joliet has enough time to give you.

Have You Worked on Similar Cases Before?

If you’re filing a personal injury claim, you’ll want to work with a personal injury lawyer. They’ll understand the ins and outs of your case and be able to give you the best representation possible.

So ask your lawyer if they’re worked before on cases that are similar to yours. If they avoid answering this question, you might want to take your business somewhere else.

What Types of Cases Do You Usually Take?

Isn’t this question the same as the one above?

Actually, no. There’s an important distinction between the two. Just because a lawyer has worked on a case similar to yours before doesn’t mean it’s their usual area of practice.

For example, you won’t want to work with a lawyer who primarily focuses on dog bite injuries if you have a car accident injury.

What kind of strategies do you typically use?

This is a great question to ask so that you understand the methods that an individual lawyer will use in your case moving forward. Some personal injury lawyers are extremely aggressive, and others are patient, yet no less successful. It’s up to you to decide which strategies work best.

Have you ever had a case that was similar to mine?

You most likely want to know if the personal injury attorney has any similar experience in his or her past that will help you win your case. Some people only want experienced attorneys. Others are okay with allowing new attorneys to work on their case. It’s up to you, but you should be able to make the choice yourself.

How does pricing work?

Don’t forget to ask this question. Even if you forget to ask, it’s the attorney’s responsibility to discuss the breakdown of pricing with you. You need to know exactly what you’ll be paying for and how much your personal injury lawyer gets if he or she wins the case for you.

Tips for Hiring the Right Lawyer for Your Case

Finding the right attorney to represent you is absolutely essential to any personal injury or accident case. With 1.35 million lawyers in the United States, choosing the right one can be challenging. We’ve gone over some questions to ask before hiring a lawyer, and now it’s time for some additional tips to make sure you have the right legal team by your side:

• Make sure the lawyer has the right kind of experience
• Set expectations for communication right from the start
• Make sure the law firm’s approach fits your own intentions
• Go with an attorney who is familiar with your state’s laws
• Call references for the attorney and talk to past clients, if possible
• Don’t be shy! Ask about the attorney’s fees
• Use an attorney who specializes in your case
• Consider the lawyer’s reputation and credentials
• Make sure your lawyer is objective and isn’t looking to settle right away

What Should I Know Before Hiring a Lawyer.

Are you in the midst of a tough dispute and feel like you are out of options? Or, perhaps you are not fully aware of the legal routes you can take. Either way, if you are about to pick up that phone to call a lawyer, there are a few things you should know first.

How can my case be handled?

Just because you are hiring a lawyer, you do not necessarily need to go to court. Attorneys can be of assistance in many different ways both inside and outside of the courtroom. There may be alternate methods of resolving your dispute. A good lawyer can review your case and help you develop a cost-effective strategy. It is a lawyer’s job to know the ins-and-outs of the legal system, making them a true asset to you during these difficult times. A lawyer’s advice is always given with your best interest in mind, whether it be before a judge or outside of the courtroom.

What kind of lawyer do I need?

Although lawyers are highly trained in the legal system, each one tends to have their own specialty. For example, if you are going through a divorce, you should seek out an attorney who focuses on family law as opposed to say, criminal defense. There are also certain areas of the law that are very specialized, in which case, you would want a lawyer with the experience necessary to succeed. So, before you pick up the phone to call the first lawyer that pops up on Google, narrow down your results by searching for the right attorney for your specific needs.

The Specifications.

Before agreeing to anything, make sure you are fully aware of the scope of your contract. What exactly is the lawyer representing you for? Will the lawyer provide litigation services? What type of fee structure will you be paying? These are important things to know before hiring a lawyer. It is important to ask questions! And remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question. The more you know about the case and contract, the better off you will feel.