How to Interview a Personal Injury Lawyer

After sustaining serious injuries in an accident, it is important to find reputable and aggressive personal injury representation at a reputable law firm. This will give you the best chance of recovering the full and fair compensation you are owed to pay hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and more. When it comes time to sit down face to face with a potential personal injury attorney, it helps to know what questions to ask before choosing one to represent your claim. Read on for some helpful tips for interviewing a personal injury attorney.

Interview Questions for Personal Injury Lawyers

The most effective method of choosing a group of law firms to interview is word of mouth. Personal recommendations and referrals are a great way to find law firms that have provided good service to people you know and trust. You can also search online using reputable web portals like Yelp and Google+. These portals provide contact information, credentials, recent customer reviews and descriptions of the company’s practice areas and more. It is a comprehensive way to get to know a law firm before calling them. Credentials to look for include licenses, 10+ years of experience, case histories, and customer reviews.

The 10 most recommended questions to ask:

What are your practice areas?

– Make sure they represent cases like yours.

What practice areas do you specialize in?

– It is best to choose an attorney who has real experience in your particular type of accident.

How many years of experience do you have?

– Experience is vital in the personal injury field. Look for at least 10 years of experience.

How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?

– Experience is key in a personal injury attorney. Make sure they have represented other cases like yours.

Do you only settle cases out of court?

– If a lawyer only settles out of court, you cannot expect the fullest possible recovery. Choose a lawyer who will go to trial if necessary and who has experience doing so.

Will you take cases to trial or refer clients to a trial attorney?

– There’s a term called “clearing house lawyers.” Avoid attorneys who only rush cases to get quick results, or refer you to other attorneys.

What is your record of verdicts and settlements?

– No matter how experienced a lawyer is, their track record may not always be great. Choose a lawyer who has won multiple cases and settlements.

Do you personally handle my case or will you pass it on to someone else?

– A lawyer can conduct an interview very well and pass all your checkpoints, but then he passes your case to another professional in his firm. Choose a lawyer who really works on your case.

Can you explain in detail your contingency fee payment plan?

– There are some fees associated with large claims. Talk to the lawyer about all the possible fees you could face even in a contingency fee plan.

Do you have adequate financial and employment resources to take on my case?

– Large cases can require many resources, such as expert testimony, investigations, medical specialists, and more. An attorney must be able to finance these types of cases and have connections to all the appropriate staffing resources.