Choosing the right lawyer to handle your case is a difficult task. Whether you’ve been in a car accident or a victim of a catastrophic accident, you want to make sure that the lawyer is fit for the job.
Here are a couple of questions that you should ask a personal injury lawyer before hiring them.
What Personal Injury Cases Do You Handle?
Knowing the specific type of cases that a lawyer handles is a good factor to consider. It is crucial that the lawyer’s expertise and practice are highly related to the area where your legal issue falls within.
Have You Dealt with Personal Injury Cases Similar to Mine?
Aside from knowing what cases a lawyer handles, it is also a good idea to ask whether he/she has dealt with a personal injury case similar to yours in the past. You should also ask the number of cases he has won and settled to ensure that he is competent enough to win your personal injury case.
Knowing that the lawyer has dealt with similar cases to your case before is essential. Suppose your case is about a dog bite. You probably wouldn’t want a lawyer whose majority of won cases are related to real estate to handle your case, right?.
What is the Cost of Your Legal Services?
Obviously, asking this question is very important. You’ll want to know if your finances will be enough to retain the lawyer and how you will give the payment. After asking this, you should also ask about the payment options and how often you will be billed.
The most common ways that a lawyer can charge you are hourly under a retainer agreement or by a contingency fee agreement. Most personal injury lawyers charge by contingency fee.
In Canada, a lot of personal injury lawyers will usually provide a free initial consultation. Take this opportunity to get advice about your rights and obligation and if you can get compensated for your claim. You can also ask about tips on how not to lose the right to make a claim.
How Do You Plan on Winning My Personal Injury Case?
Once a lawyer has evaluated your case, you should ask him about the approach he will take. For example, if you seek a civil approach since you know the person you are suing, but the lawyer wants an aggressive method, then he may not be the right one for your case.
Can You Suggest Other Ways for Solving My Personal Injury Case?
This isn’t the time to hold back your questions. Ask the lawyer whether there are other options to solve your legal problem, such as out-of-court settlements or through arbitrations. An excellent lawyer will usually give out options that are less expensive and time-consuming.
Looking to hire a trusted lawyer? If so, then Diamond and Diamond Lawyers is perfect for you! We have a pool of excellent personal injury lawyers that will guide you all throughout your case. Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.
How Will You Keep Me Updated with My Personal Injury Case?
Knowing a lawyer’s availability is as important as the other aspects of your case. Having scheduled meetings every now and then means that you’ll be able to track your case and know its progress. As someone with an ongoing claim, knowing the updates on your case can give you peace of mind.
What Do You Think is the Outcome of My Case?
Getting a heads up on the probabilities of your case is beneficial for both you and the lawyer. If a lawyer thinks that the claim will eventually go downhill, it is best for the both of you not to waste time and resources. Similarly, if a lawyer believes that the case is winnable, pursuing it would be a better option.
It would be good to mention that you’re not really looking for the “right” answer, just an honest one.
Do You Have Certifications or Training Relevant to My Case?
There are some cases that require specialized training and knowledge for effective representation. If your case belongs to these cases, it is best to inquire whether your lawyer has taken the necessary training.
Who are Your Typical Clients?
Before hiring a lawyer and proceeding with a case, you should ask them this question first. For example, the lawyer you’re about to meet only represents a particular group of people. This may not be the best option for you, especially if you don’t belong to that specific group.
How Long Have You Practiced Law?
Lastly, you’ll want to know about how long a lawyer has practiced law. This will give you an idea of whether the lawyer you are about to hire is a veteran or beginner. It is essential to know this because you may want a veteran to handle your case, especially if it is pretty complicated. On the other hand, if your case is quite simple, then hiring a beginner would suffice.
We know how hard it is to choose the perfect lawyer for your case. If you want to schedule a FREE consultation, you can contact Diamond and DIamond.
Always ensure that the questions you ask are relevant to avoid wasting your and the lawyer’s time.
Pro tip