What I need to know before hiring a personal injury attorney

One of the most stressful times in life is the time that immediately follows an accident. It is hard enough as it is to come to terms with the fact that sometimes, despite all of our best efforts and planning, life can lead to unexpected circumstances. When you add in injuries and damage to property, it is really no surprise that it can be incredibly difficult to function and think clearly after experiencing a serious accident. With that said, it is important to understand that despite the flurry of activity you are experiencing, time will continue to move faster than ever and if you wait too long, you might miss out on filing a personal injury claim to help recover your damages and medical expenses, among other things.

One of the best options at your disposal when it comes to maximizing your chances of receiving the compensation to which you are entitled after an accident is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. With that said, there are some things to keep in mind before making the decision to retain one.

Communication Style

How will your prospective attorney communicate with you, and what kind of information do you expect to receive? These are important questions to answer up front in order to help avoid any confusion or dissatisfaction later on in your professional dealings. Ask them how they prefer to communicate and what kind of updates they plan to give you. If you have any concerns, speak them before retaining the attorney! It does no good at all to hire someone you can’t communicate with, after all, as that will just add yet another layer of stress onto an already stressful situation.

Cost

How does your prospective attorney charge clients, and about how much can you expect to pay? While the latter question might be a difficult one to answer, you should be able to receive a clear answer to the first one. Understanding exactly how you will be billed is vital. Does the attorney in question charge a flat-fee per project or do they charge per hour? Do they charge you for things like emails or phone calls? Watch out if so. It is also preferable to find one who does not charge per hour, as this will almost always be more expensive than other options.

Case History

Finally, make sure that you ask about your prospective attorney’s experience. How many cases like yours have they taken? What were the outcomes? You need to have a good idea about the attorney’s history before you can make an informed decision to hire them. If you are in need of an experienced personal injury attorney, do not hesitate to reach out to us today! We are happy to answer your questions and take a look at your case.