If you’re hurt in an accident and are concerned about your legal rights or how you will pay for the expenses you incur such as loss of wages due to injury then it is time to speak with a personal injury lawyer. Our lawyers are experienced and can put your mind at ease through planned methods and approaches that can win your case. It is best not to just hire a personal injury attorney but rather hire one that has the relevant experience you need. Asking questions and going through interview processes are simple ways to ensure you choose the proper fit. Try to find an attorney with whom you have rapport and can be honest and straightforward with. Your relationship with your attorney can make or break your case so it’s important to pick one you can trust. Each personal injury lawyer at Bell & Bell is ready to answer your questions and help you begin down the road to recovery. As you consider the vast pool of personal injury attorneys in Deerfield, Florida here are a few questions you should get answered prior to making the final choice.
1. What is your contingency fee structure?
Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee. A contingency fee means that you pay no legal fees unless your personal injury attorney is able to recover a settlement. Like with all services for hire lawyer fees are negotiable. Due to the nature of these types of cases contingency fees are usually 25 to 40 percent of the settlement cost. The stronger your case on its face, the more negotiating room you have with the contingency fee. Ask your injury attorney about advanced costs and how they are paid. If he or she says you won’t be responsible for out-of-pocket costs, get it in writing, no questions and have an outside lawyer verify it.
2. What is your experience with personal injury cases?
If you are injured on a cruise ship or in an auto accident you need to consider one of those specialized lawyers. Personal injury law and auto or cruise laws vary and require different representation. It is best to speak with a personal injury attorney that has actual experience and can share with you settlement success stories. In some case a inexperienced personal injury attorney can be detrimental to a very lucrative case if it is not represented well.
3. I’m ready to go to trial. Are you?
Your injury attorney should work as if he or she expects your case to go to trial, even if a settlement seems likely. While many cases do settle before trial, you should hire an attorney who is preparing as if the case would go to trial. Although it’s difficult to predict how long a case will take to go to trial, it’s worth asking about a general time frame. Keep in mind that it’s not unusual for personal injury cases to take a couple of years to be resolved.
4. Are you the personal injury lawyer who will handle my case?
The lawyer you speak to when you first discuss your case may or may not be the one who actually handles the case. In some cases the one providing the free consultations in not the one who will be working with you so it is important to be well informed on this issue. Ask for the name and contact information of the point of contact for your case. Depending on the specifics of the case, an associate lawyer may handle it, but he or she will have access to more senior members of the firm when their expertise is needed.
5. How will I be involved in this case?
If you contact an personal injury lawyer from your hospital room, you’re already overwhelmed with trying to recover from your injuries. A broad range of things will cross your mind such who will get your children to and from school, how long will your recovery take, and more. It’s good to discuss up front just how involved you will need to be as the case proceeds. Finding out what will likely be expected of you and when can help you get your arms around your situation and plan a little better. Your lawyer should be ready with honest answers and should treat you and your situation with respect, understanding, and compassion.
