When you choose your personal injury lawyer, it can be one of the most important decisions you will make. Your personal injury lawyer won’t just lead the charge for fair compensation, they are going to be your guide through some of the most turbulent times in your life. When the stakes are that high, you want to know that when you hire a personal injury lawyer, they have the experience and skills necessary to help you access the compensation you deserve.
But how do you go about hiring a personal injury lawyer who’s right fit for you and your case? Here are seven questions to ask your prospects before you choose a personal injury lawyer for your case.
Here's a tip...Going to a law office and speaking to a lawyer can seem overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean you should be fearful of speaking up. In other words, don’t be afraid to ask these questions! They should be able to deliver a satisfactory response to them before you can discuss hiring them.
7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
1. What Experience Do You Have?
Things like years in practice and practice specialty are listed on law firms’ websites, but further questions about the lawyer’s experience with handling files, conducting hearings, and negotiation can be useful and give you peace of mind.
2. What Expertise Do You Have in Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law is a specialized branch of the law and you want to work with a team of personal injury lawyers with subject matter expertise - not ones who merely treat it as another practice area. Ask if the firm employs Certified Specialists, about the results the lawyers have achieved, and any notable cases.
3. Will You Be Handling My Case?
Think you’ll definitely be working with the lawyer you are speaking to? Not always. Ask upfront if the firm can “outsource” your case, and make it clear that you expect your lawyer themselves to research, negotiate, and argue your case.
4. Is Mine a Strong Case?
We are starting 2023 the way we started 2022: Another trial! Best of luck to our trial team, Duncan Embury, Daniela Pacheco, and Nicholas Sampson, as they argue another complex medical malpractice case. pic.twitter.com/WWiC8xbb41
— Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers (@NeinsteinLaw) January 12, 2023
Don’t be shy about asking what your chances of success are. While a lawyer cannot provide any guarantees about outcomes, someone with experience can at least tell you if your case looks strong or not.
5. What Are Your Fee and Pay Structures Like?
Though most personal injury lawyers offer contingency fee (No Win, No Fee), there’s no harm in going into the details. Check what is covered under the fee agreement, what is not, and whether there’s an upfront retainer amount you have to pay.
Make sure everything is clearly written down to reduce the risk of misunderstanding further down the line.
6. Can You Take My Case to Trial?
Though most personal injury matters are settled out of court, some do go to trial. Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, make sure they have the expertise and resources to represent you at trial (in case the matter isn’t settled). The last thing you want to be doing is briefing a new legal team mid-case.
7. How Do You Manage Client Communication?
This is one of the most important things to ask because a lack of clear communication is often the root cause of a poor client experience. Ask how the lawyer will communicate with you, how often, whether they will provide updates, and how long they take to respond to your questions.
Hire Personal Injury Lawyers at Neinstein
With 55+ years of experience representing Canadians successfully in 100,000+ personal injury trials, we have helped clients recover over $100 million in compensation. We are also courtroom-ready, having conducted countless trials across the country. If you want to get the best possible outcome for your case, then you owe it to yourself to contact our team at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers.
You will work with a team that won’t only seek compensation for your injuries and loss, but also connect you with top medical professionals, and help ensure you have access to resources that help you recover from your injuries while awaiting the conclusion of your case. Contact us today to get a free consultation.
