Skip to main content
What Questions Should I Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Getting hurt in an accident can turn your life upside-down. You might be in pain, worried about bills, and unsure what to do next.
One of the most helpful steps is talking to a personal injury lawyer. These lawyers know how to help people with injuries because of someone else’s mistakes. But how do you know what to ask when meeting a lawyer? This guide will outline the important questions to ask so you can find the right personal injury lawyer for your case.
Why Talking to a Personal Injury Attorney Matters
Personal injury lawyers have specific knowledge about accident and injury cases. They can explain your rights and determine if you can receive compensation for your medical bills and other costs from the accident.
Personal injury lawyers do more than just file paperwork. They can talk to insurance companies for you, gather evidence about your accident, and fight for you in court if needed. By asking the right questions when you meet with a lawyer, you can find someone who will work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Questions About the Lawyer’s Background
When you meet with a personal injury lawyer, asking about their experience is okay. Here are some questions you might want to ask:
How Long Have You Been a Personal Injury Lawyer?
This question can reveal the lawyer’s level of experience. A lawyer working on personal injury cases for many years might have more knowledge about handling different types of accidents.
Have You Handled Cases Like Mine Before?
Every accident is different, but some lawyers focus on certain cases. For example, some might work mostly on car accidents, while others might handle more slip and fall cases. Asking this question can show whether the lawyer has experience with cases similar to yours.
How Many Cases Have You Taken to Trial?
Most personal injury cases don’t go to trial, but it’s good to know if your lawyer has experience in the courtroom. If your case goes to trial, you’ll want a lawyer who knows how to present your case to a judge and jury.
Questions About Your Case
Once you’ve asked about the lawyer’s background, you’ll want to ask questions about your situation. Here are some important things to ask:
Do You Think I Have a Good Case?
A good personal injury lawyer will give you an honest opinion about your case. They can explain why they think you have a strong case or if there might be some challenges.
How Long Do You Think My Case Will Take?
Every case is different, so the lawyer cannot give you an exact timeline. But they can give you a general idea of how long cases like yours usually take to resolve.
What Is My Case Worth?
This is a tough question for a lawyer to answer right away because many things can affect how much money you might get. However, a good lawyer can explain the types of damages you can claim and give you a general idea of what to expect.
Questions About Working with the Lawyer
If you hire a personal injury lawyer, you’ll work closely with them. It’s important to understand how they work and communicate. Here are some questions to ask:
Who Will Be Working on My Case?
Some law firms have lawyers and staff members who might work on your case. Knowing who will be handling different parts of your case and who you should contact if you have questions is good.
How Often Will You Update Me About My Case?
Good communication is important when working with a lawyer. Ask how often they’ll give you updates and how you can reach them if you have questions.
What Is Your Fee Structure?
Most personal injury lawyers work on what’s called a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they win your case. It’s important to understand exactly how this works and what percentage of your settlement the lawyer will receive as their fee.
Understanding Legal Terms
When talking to a personal injury lawyer, you might hear some words you’re unfamiliar with. Let’s look at a few important terms you might hear:
Negligence
Negligence is a key idea in many personal injury cases. It means someone didn’t act as carefully as they should have, and that carelessness led to an accident. For example, if a driver is texting while driving and hits another car, they might be considered negligent.
Discovery
Discovery is a part of the legal process where both sides of a case share information. This might include accident reports, medical records, or witness statements. Your lawyer will use discovery to gather evidence to support your case.
Damages
In legal terms, damages mean the money you might receive to compensate for your injuries and other losses from the accident. This can include medical bills, lost earnings if you cannot work, and even money for pain and suffering.
Questions About Medical Treatment
Your health should be your top priority after an accident. A good personal injury lawyer will understand this and can help guide you through the medical process. Here are some questions to ask about medical treatment:
Should I Continue Seeing My Doctor?
It’s important to get the medical care you need after an accident. Your personal injury lawyer might advise you to keep seeing your doctor regularly. This helps ensure you’re getting better and creates a record of your injuries and treatment.
Will You Need My Medical Records?
Your personal injury lawyer will likely need to see your medical records to understand your injuries and build your case. Ask how they’ll get these records and if you need to do anything to help.
What If I Can’t Afford My Medical Bills?
This is a common worry for many people after an accident. A personal injury lawyer can explain your options for dealing with medical bills while your case is ongoing. They might know how to delay payment, medical liens, or use health insurance to cover costs.
Questions About Talking to Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be tricky after an accident. Your personal injury lawyer can guide you through these conversations. Here are some questions to ask:
Should I Talk to the Other Person’s Insurance Company?
Usually, letting your lawyer handle talks with the other person’s insurance company is best. Ask your lawyer how they’ll manage these conversations and what you should do if the insurance company contacts you directly.
What Should I Say to My Own Insurance Company?
After an accident, you might need to talk to your own insurance company. Ask your lawyer what information you should share and if there’s anything you should avoid saying.
How Do Insurance Settlements Work?
Your lawyer can explain how insurance settlements typically work in cases like yours. They can tell you what to expect during the settlement process and how long it might take.
Questions About the Legal Process
Understanding how your case will progress through the legal system can make you feel more in control. Here are some questions to ask about the legal process:
Will My Case Go to Court?
Most personal injury cases settle out of court, but some go to trial. Ask your lawyer how likely your case will go to court and what that will mean for you.
What Happens If We Can’t Reach a Settlement?
Sometimes, reaching a fair settlement with the insurance company is impossible. Ask your lawyer what the next steps will be if this happens in your case.
Questions About the Outcome of Your Case
While no lawyer can promise a specific outcome, they can clarify what to expect. Here are some questions to ask about possible results:
What Kinds of Compensation Might I Receive?
You can get different compensation in a personal injury case. Ask your lawyer to explain the different kinds of damages and which ones might apply to your situation.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
The timeline for resolving a personal injury case can vary a lot. Ask your lawyer for an estimate based on similar cases and what factors might make your case take more or less time.
What Happens After We Settle or Win in Court?
Understanding what happens after your case ends is important, too. Ask your lawyer how long it typically takes to receive compensation after a settlement or court victory and what steps you’ll need to take.
You might think that’s the final step when your personal injury case ends, either through a settlement or a court victory. But there’s quite a bit that happens after this point. Knowing what to expect is good, so you’re not left wondering what’s going on.
First, your lawyer must finalize the agreement with the other side if you’ve settled. This usually involves some paperwork and may take a few weeks. Your lawyer will ensure all the details are correct and the agreement protects your interests.
If your case went to court and you won, you might need to wait longer. The other side can appeal the decision, which can delay things. Your lawyer can explain if this is likely in your case and how long it might take.
Once you complete all the steps, the insurance company or the person who caused your injury will send the settlement money. This doesn’t happen right away. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Your lawyer can give you a better idea of the timeline based on their experience with similar cases.
When the money does arrive, it usually goes to your lawyer first. Don’t worry – this is normal. Your lawyer will put the money in a special trust account. This keeps your money safe and separate from the law firm’s own money.
Next, your lawyer will take care of any outstanding bills related to your case. This might include medical bills that haven’t been paid yet or fees for expert witnesses who helped with your case. Your lawyer should give you a detailed list of these expenses.
Your lawyer will also deduct their fee at this point. Remember that talk you had about contingency fees at the beginning? This is when that comes into play. As you agreed, your lawyer’s fee will be a percentage of your settlement.
The remaining money will be yours after all the bills and fees are paid. Your lawyer will arrange to transfer it to you, usually by check or bank transfer. Make sure you understand how and when you’ll receive this money.
It’s also a good idea to ask your lawyer about any tax implications of your settlement. In many cases, money from a personal injury settlement isn’t taxable, but there can be exceptions. Your lawyer might suggest talking to a tax professional to ensure you handle everything correctly.
Another important thing to discuss with your lawyer is whether you need to do anything to officially close your case. There might be some final paperwork to sign or steps to take to ensure everything is properly wrapped up.
Lastly, don’t forget to ask your lawyer what to do if any issues come up later. For example, if you start getting bills for medical treatment, you thought was covered by the settlement, or if the person who caused your injury tries to contact you, you’ll want to know how to handle it.
Remember, your lawyer will remain involved even after your case is over. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions or concerns about what happens after your case ends. A good personal injury lawyer will ensure you understand every step of the process right up to the end.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident, don’t wait to get help. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. They can answer your questions, explain your rights, and guide you on what to do next. With the right lawyer on your side, you can focus on your recovery while they work to protect your interests and fight for the compensation you need.