Injured by a faulty floor jack

Important Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney

11 July 2016

Mia Little

Have you recently been injured in an accident? Are you considering filing a lawsuit so that you can be reimbursed for your medical expenses? Filing a lawsuit can be difficult and time-consuming, but the task can be made easier with the help of a good personal injury attorney. Before you hire just any lawyer, you should make sure that he or she will be the right one for your needs. Here are some questions to ask to help make sure that you make the right choice:

Have you handled many cases like this before? A personal injury attorney may specialize in a certain type of case. For example, one lawyer may focus mainly on slip & fall cases while another lawyer may decide to handle defective products. Because of this, you'll want to find a lawyer that handles your type of case. While a lawyer that handles auto accidents is legally able to help you with your workplace accident lawsuit, they may not be the best choice. You'll want a personal injury attorney who is as familiar as possible with the laws and statutes that pertain to your case.  More familiarity means that they should also be familiar with what type of evidence will be needed to win your case.

What do you charge? Sometimes, a personal injury attorney will want money up front before they proceed with your case. Others won't charge you anything right away but will instead take their money out of whatever settlement you eventually receive. From the settlement, you may also be expected to pay for investigative expenses and any expert witness fees. Some attorneys may pay for these things from their percentage, so it's a good idea to know who will be paying for what so that you know what to expect.

Is there anything else you need to have done? Before officially taking your case, a personal injury attorney, like Owen Law Firm, may want to have you see a doctor of his or her own choosing. This doctor will be familiar with the attorney's needs and will be better able to document the exact state of your injuries so that a lawsuit can be filed. You may also need to sign forms that will allow the lawyer to access your pre-existing medical records, allowing him or her to begin to build a case. Even if the lawyer doesn't expect payment up front, you could still be responsible for document filing fees at the local courthouse. If you're unable to pay these fees, due to loss of income, your attorney can help you file for a waiver to dismiss those fees.

Share

Search