The complexity of personal injury cases often, if not at all times, requires legal representation from highly experienced lawyers, well-versed in the field.
This might seem quite straightforward to some of you reading this, but choosing the right law firm for your personal injury case can be daunting, especially when dealing with the aftermath of an accident.
Whether you have experienced a vehicle accident, medical negligence, a slip and fall, or any other form of personal injury, you should have legal representation to help you through the intricate legal system and obtain the fair compensation to which you are entitled.
By the end of this article, you’ll be more aware of the qualities to search for in a law company, the inquiries to make during a consultation, and the best way to make a choice that could significantly affect the result of your case.
Experience and Expertise
As we have already mentioned, personal injury law is a complex and constantly evolving field, and as such, it requires years of practice to become proficient in it.
A law firm’s expertise and experience should be one of the first things to consider while performing this evaluation.
Here are some inquiries to make to determine the level of the law firm’s experience and expertise:
- How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
- Will you be able to provide references from previous clients?
- Are you willing to go to trial if that becomes necessary?
- What is your experience in working with insurance companies?
Answers to questions one and two will clearly indicate the law firm’s experience. Question number three is very useful since previous client references can give you valuable insights into the firm’s experience and overall client satisfaction.
Question number four is there to determine that you are working with a trusted personal injury law firm willing and able to take your case to trial since most personal injury cases are settled out of court.
Finally, insurance companies can be very difficult to deal with, especially regarding personal injury cases.
Working with a law firm with experience in dealing with insurance companies is essential.
Availability and Communication
Any legal case requires effective communication, and personal injury cases are no different. A law firm’s communication style and availability to answer all your questions and provide updates on your case are important elements to consider during the evaluation.
You want to hire a firm that prioritizes communication and information flow. To figure out the level of the legal firm’s availability and communication, you can ask the following questions:
- How do you prefer to communicate with clients?
- How often will you communicate with me about the case?
- Are you offering any online case management portals or tools?
- How do you handle emergencies?
- Will I be communicating directly with my attorney?
The first two questions will help you check to see if their preferred methods of communication – email, phone, or in-person meetings – are compatible with your requirements.
Many law firms provide their clients with online case management tools or portals that let them follow the development of their cases, examine documents, and contact their lawyers. Make sure to inquire about this option’s availability and operation.
The fourth question will tell you how the law firm handles emergencies since they can easily arise during a personal injury case. You should determine whether they have an emergency line available after hours or if you will need to wait until the start of business hours to receive assistance.
In certain law offices, most client communications are handled by a paralegal or case manager. If you prefer to communicate with the lawyer directly, be sure to ask if this is possible.
Contingency Fees and Costs
Most personal injury lawyers practice on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if you win the case.
Since the cost of legal representation can be a significant burden for some people, be sure to confirm that this practice is, in fact, the case with the law firm you are evaluating.
You should look for a law firm with a reasonable and transparent fee structure to avoid any unpleasant surprises later.
Here are five questions that will help you evaluate if the law firm’s fees and costs are something that you can handle:
- What is your contingency fee percentage?
- What costs become my responsibility if I lose the case?
- Are there any additional costs I should expect?
- In what way will the cost be deducted from my settlement or award?
- What will happen if I terminate the representation agreement?
As we have mentioned, most personal injury law firms operate on a contingency fee basis. The first question will help you determine whether that is the case with this particular firm.
The second inquiry will help you avoid any future fees since many personal injury law firms require their clients to pay for costs associated with the case if it is unsuccessful. A similar thing is resolved with the third question, although it is more related to other costs like expert witnesses and court or filing fees.
Question number four will help you determine whether the costs will be deducted after the contingency fee and how that impacts the final amount you will receive.
Finally, if you choose to end the representation agreement, be careful to ask about the law firm’s procedure and whether you will be liable for any expenses or fees incurred up to that point in the case.
Staff and resources
Personal injury cases require a team of dedicated professionals. This includes investigators, legal assistants, and medical experts – all are required to build a strong case. Evaluating a law firm’s resources and staff can help you paint the picture of all the necessities needed to handle your case effectively.
In order to assess the law firm’s staff and resources, here are some inquiries you can make:
- What is your staff-to-client ratio?
- Who will be handling my case?
- Are there any resources available to investigate my case?
- How many cases do you handle at one time?
- How long do you anticipate my case will take?
The first question will help you get a sense of how much individual attention is to be expected. Firms with higher staff-to-client ratios are usually much better equipped to handle large volumes of cases, but it comes at the price of the individual attention you will get.
The second question will make sure you feel comfortable with the team that will be representing you, as well as with their experience and qualifications.
Personal injury cases often require a fair amount of investigation in order to build a strong case. The third question will help you determine the firm’s resources for investigation, which includes access to experts who can help with your case.
If the law firm handles too many cases at once, it might lack the resources to give your case the attention it deserves. Be sure to make that clear beforehand.
Finally, while estimating the length of a personal injury lawsuit can be challenging, having a broad idea of the schedule is crucial. Ask about all the variables that can have an impact on the timetable as well.
Conclusion
It can be challenging to select the best law company to handle your personal injury case, especially while suffering from the effects of the accident itself.
The firm’s knowledge, experience, and communication style will greatly aid in building a strong case and obtaining a favorable outcome.
By asking the correct questions, you can learn about all these things and decide whether the legal team has the knowledge and resources to manage your case successfully.
The ideal firm should stress accessibility and communication, offer transparent and affordable prices, have the appropriate employees and resources, and have the relevant experience to handle your particular sort of case.
