Each year in the United States, approximately 3 million people are injured in non-fatal car accidents.
Getting in a car crash is scary enough on its own, but dealing with injuries after the fact can be stressful and overwhelming. And, in the worst cases, the pain from the injuries can last years and cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ve probably thought about talking to local personal injury attorneys about your situation. But an online search for “personal injury attorney near me” likely brings up hundreds of results. How do you find the right one to take your case?
Keep reading to learn the questions you should ask before hiring a personal injury attorney.
Can You Help Me Understand Your Fee Structure?
One of the most important things to understand before hiring a personal injury attorney is how much you’ll have to pay. Car accident lawyer fees typically work on a contingency fee basis.
Simply put, that means you won’t have to pay a fee unless you win your case and receive money as a result. If you do win your case, your lawyer will usually take a set percentage of the amount. Make sure you know what that percentage is before you agree to work with an attorney.
How Much Experience Do You Have in Cases Like Mine?
The best injury lawyers tend to have experience in different types of injuries. But, before deciding to work with an attorney, it’s best to ask directly about their experience with cases like yours.
For example, if you’ve been injured in a car accident, you might not want to hire a lawyer who primarily focuses on workers’ compensation lawsuits.
Do You Have Any References I Can Contact?
One of the best ways to know what it’s like working with a personal injury attorney is to hear from their past clients. When meeting with a lawyer, ask if they have any references you can contact.
You might also consider reading online reviews to learn more about a lawyer’s past experience with clients. If you’re deciding between a few lawyers, reading unbiased reviews may be the determining factor in your decision.
How Long Can I Expect This Process to Take?
The length of a case will vary, even if you work with the best personal injury attorney in your state. There are many factors that go into the process and the details of your specific case will influence the timeline.
However, it’s helpful to ask potential attorneys for an estimate of how long they think your case might take, based on their past experiences.
What Is the Likelihood My Case Will Go to Trial?
If a settlement can be reached in your case, you won’t have to go to trial. But, settlements are not always possible.
While a lawyer cannot guarantee whether or not your case will end up going to trial, ask about the likelihood of settling to help set your expectations for the case.
Find a Personal Injury Attorney Near Me
We understand that there is no shortage of results when you search “personal injury attorney near me” online. Read through our website to learn more about our experience with cases like yours and find out what helps set us apart from the competition.