If you’ve suffered injuries due to an accident or someone else’s negligence, it can affect your employment, financial situation, and more. No matter what your circumstance entails, choosing an attorney is an important decision that can have a substantial impact on your case. Here are 6 questions that you should ask your personal injury lawyer to ensure that you are finding the best fit for your case.

Do you have experience with cases similar to mine?

Even if you have found a personal injury lawyer who has the quality of education, work experience, and recommendations that you are looking for, it’s essential to inquire about the type of personal injury cases that the lawyer has under their belt. Personal injury cases can vary from car accidents, to dog bites, and include slip and fall cases. Due to the variety of cases that fall under the category of personal injury, it is essential that your lawyer is experienced in cases like yours so that you can get the best results for your future.

Who will handle my personal injury case?

When you hire a law firm to take on your personal injury case, it’s important to ask who will be directly handling your case and who you will be communicating with in order to take your case through the legal process. This is especially important because many cases are worked on by teams (especially at larger firms). While a team approach is beneficial, knowing exactly who the point person is will allow you to feel confident and comfortable moving forward.

What is your assessment of my case?

When you’re looking for the right personal injury attorney, it will help your decision if you understand the perspective of your potential attorney and what their plan and strategy would be like if they took your case. While prepping a case and defending your rights takes time, they will have a general idea of what they see as the challenges of your case and how they plan on moving forward. A good lawyer will have an objective and unbiased opinion regarding your chances, what a probable strategy could look like, and if your case should even be pursued.

How long will it take to resolve my personal injury case?

Court cases can be unpredictable, and depending on the complexity of your personal injury case, it can be hard to foresee how long your case will take and when a resolution will be reached. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to give you a length approximation and will know the specifics of the legal system. He or she should be able to discuss an informed timeline with you, although that can always change depending on the details of your case as it moves along.

What are the costs associated with my case?

Legal jargon can be confusing so don’t hesitate to ask exactly what you are or will be responsible for financially. Understand what percentage of the settlement you will be forgoing in accordance with their contingency fee and ensure that you are informed of every upfront cost and any possible costs along the way. Be wary of personal injury firms that offer representation at a shockingly cheap cost or are hesitant to discuss the costs associated with your personal injury case.

What do you need from me?

What will your role be in your legal case? Understand what your lawyer expects of you before you commit to working with them to defend your rights. What kind of information are they anticipating and how are they imagining your relationship moving forward? Your participation level is an important factor in your case and your assistance will be required to move your case along. It’s helpful to know how the law firm handles communication with clients and what level of interaction they require. It’s a partnership and a team effort when undertaking litigation, and it’s important for you as the client to understand how that team will operate.

Experiencing a personal injury is hard enough, and adding in an inexperienced attorney to the mix just makes it worse. Avoid choosing a personal injury attorney that is a poor fit by asking all of the right questions. Once you find the right lawyer for your particular case, you’ll feel at ease knowing that you did your due diligence so that they can do what they do best: defend your rights.

Looking for a personal injury lawyer? Contact Liberty Trial Law Group at (816) 792-4400.