Suffering a personal injury can be a life-changing experience, and you will need an attorney’s help if you want to have the greatest chance of success with your recovery efforts. However, finding the right attorney can be challenging.
Here are 15 questions to ask a California personal injury lawyer before hiring so you can feel confident about your choice of legal representative:
- “How much experience do you have with cases like mine?” Make sure the attorney has a solid record of successful cases similar to yours.
- “What do you notice that is unique about my case?” A good attorney should be able to quickly pick out any unique opportunities or challenges in your case.
- “How can I expect to receive updates on the progress of my case?” Your attorney should provide multiple methods for getting in touch with them as your case unfolds.
- “Do you think I can win?” A good attorney will be upfront about their impression of your case and your likelihood of success.
- “What is my personal injury case worth?” Your attorney should be able to provide an estimate of how much compensation you can reasonably expect if you win.
- “How can you increase the value of my case?” An experienced attorney can identify all of the avenues of compensation available to you. Note that they may not be able to provide this estimate during an initial consultation as they would need access to your records and investigate your case in order to provide an accurate estimate.
- “How do I prove liability for my personal injury?” Your attorney can explain the process of proving fault for your personal injury and how you can hold the defendant accountable.
- “What happens if I’m partially responsible for my personal injury?” A good attorney should be able to explain California’s pure comparative fault rule if it applies to your case.
- “How long will it take to resolve my case?” Your attorney should offer an estimate of your case’s timetable, but remember it’s possible for complications to arise in any personal injury case.
- “Will I need to go to court to resolve my case?” Some personal injury cases can be resolved through settlement negotiations, while others must be resolved in litigation.
- “Do I need an attorney to file an insurance claim?” You may need to file an insurance claim after your personal injury, and having an attorney’s help can make filing your claim much easier.
- “How long do I have to file my personal injury case?” Your attorney should explain the statute of limitations that applies to your case so you can meet the filing deadline.
- “How much does it cost to hire you to represent me?” A good attorney is transparent about their billing policy and explains the cost of their representation.
- “What happens if I lose my case?” The attorney should provide an honest explanation of what to expect should you be able to hold a defendant accountable for your damages.
- “Why should I hire you to represent me?” Ask the attorney why they are the top choice for your personal injury case and what sets them apart from other attorneys in the area.
These are just a few examples of good questions to ask during an initial consultation with a prospective attorney. Take time to develop your own list of questions that are more specific to your individual case. An initial consultation is an opportunity to interview a potential attorney to find out whether they are the right fit for your case, so prepare accordingly so you can have peace of mind with your decision.
Hopefully, your attorney’s answers to these questions help you feel more confident about your legal situation and their suitability to represent you. Easton & Easton is confident we can provide the level of legal representation you expect in the aftermath of your personal injury, so reach out to us today to learn how we can assist you.
FAQs
Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in California?
A: The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer in California depends on the lawyer’s billing policy. The majority of California personal injury lawyers accept cases on contingency, meaning they only charge clients if and when they win their cases. The client pays a percentage of their total case award as the attorney’s fee, but there is no fee if there is no recovery.
Q: When Should I Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A: Ideally, you should contact a personal injury lawyer at your first opportunity after another party has injured you. You have a limited time to pursue your recovery, so it is crucial that you connect with legal counsel you trust as soon as you can. You have a time limit for filing your personal injury case, so you need to secure representation right away.
Q: How Much Is a Personal Injury Case Worth in California?
A: The value of a personal injury case in California will depend on the specific details of the case, the severity of the plaintiff’s damages, and whether the plaintiff has experienced legal counsel on their side. A successful personal injury case can potentially yield compensation for any economic and non-economic damages the defendant inflicted. Your attorney can estimate your case’s value.
Q: Why Do I Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A: You need to hire a personal injury lawyer because your case is likely to be more challenging than it appears at first. Even if you think liability for your accident is clear, you could face a wide range of complex legal issues that you will not be able to resolve on your own. You need an experienced attorney on your side to not only win your case but also maximize your compensation.
The team at Easton & Easton has decades of experience handling personal injury cases for clients throughout California, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with a California personal injury lawyer and learn how we can help you recover.
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