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What to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Many clients wonder how they should prepare for their initial consultation. One of the most important ways you can prepare is by drafting a list of questions you have for us. Asking questions during your initial consultation can help you determine whether a personal injury attorney can actually help with your case and whether they are the right fit.

Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney During Your Initial Consultation

While you may have your own questions and concerns for your attorney, here are several important questions that we recommend you ask as well.

  • What do you charge for your services, and how will I be billed? Firms have different fee structures and protocols. While some firms work on a contingency fee basis, others will be you as the case progresses on an hourly basis. You should have a clear picture of what you will be charged so that you can budget or completely understand what percentage of your settlement will be given to your attorney if you win.
  • How long have you been practicing law, specifically personal injury law? You should understand how much experience your attorney has, especially in the personal injury field specifically.
  • Have you handled similar cases? If you have a complex case or unique circumstances, you should know whether your attorney has handled similar cases. If they have, they can employ similar tactics and learn from what happened, in that case, to help better develop a strategy for your case.
  • What would your strategy be for my case? During your initial consultation, you and the attorney should review your case. After you discuss the details, you can ask for their initial thoughts on how to best approach your case.
  • What issues or complexities does my case present? You may already have an idea of what can complicate your case. Hearing from your potential attorney about what they see being a potential issue, and they may even mention this when they explain their strategy for your case.
  • Do you think my case will go to trial? Litigation can be costly and can take a lot of time. You should ask whether they believe your case can be settled in negotiations, and if not, do they have litigation experience?
  • How often will you update me on the progress of my case? Throughout the process, you should expect communication from your legal representation concerning the progress that has been made. If you want to be involved every step of the way or only want substantial updates, you should know how often the attorney typically communicates with clients.
  • Do you have references or client testimonials I can review? While reviews can be misleading at times, they are still a great source of information. Reviews and references can be helpful in determining whether your attorney is respected by their clients and in how they work.
  • What case-related costs will I be responsible for if I lose? Whether you negotiate a settlement or litigate your case, you will incur expenses throughout the process. To protect yourself financially, you should ask for an estimate on litigation and court costs as well as other expenses you will need to cover even if you lose your case.
  • How much time does your current caseload allow you to devote to my case? Asking this question can help you get an idea of whether other people at the firm (i.e. paralegals, associates, other partners, etc.) will be working on your case as well as how much time the attorney has to focus on your case. If other people will be working on your case, you can also ask to meet them.
  • How long do you think it will take to resolve my case? While there is no exact timeline for how long personal injury claims take and each case is unique, you should ask if they have a rough time frame.

Consult with Our Firm

At Eliot Reiner, APLC, we handle a wide variety of cases, such as:

If you have suffered damages because of someone else’s negligence, we are here and equipped to help you. Known for providing our clients with personalized legal strategies and aggressive representation, we can advise you of your legal rights and options and help you:

  • Collect evidence
  • Speak to witnesses and the opposing parties
  • Improve your chances for success because of our experience and legal knowledge
  • Have an objective opinion concerning your case
  • Focus on your healing while we handle the legalities
  • Calculate your economic and non-economic damages

Contact our team today by reaching out online or calling (916) 778-3228.

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