Last Updated on June 22, 2022 by Marie Bautista
You see, a personal injury case can get very complicated and also at times out of hand. You need someone with adequate and appropriate experience who can get you the rightful compensation that you deserve. You need to ask him the most pertinent questions also. The following section talks about them and a few ground rules that you should keep in mind always. Let’s begin:
1. Always Check For References And Reviews That Can Be Verified
Look for testimonials and preferably videos and Facebook posts along with images that can be easily verified. You should do this before you meet the lawyer because then you will have enough information about them already. You can cross-check with them regarding those very cases and get all the details about them from the horse’s mouth. If you want you can get in touch with their old clients and talk to them about their experience with the law firm. This is going to give you a better idea of how they are going to handle your case and fight for your rightful compensation.
2. Understand Who Is Going To Be Handling Your Case
There are many situations where the client finds himself utterly confused. This is because contrary to popular belief, the person talking to you over the phone or the one claiming to handle your case won’t be the one associated with you or in the loop with you at a later stage. So yes, this is a rule that you must follow. Ask the law firm representative or anyone that you have gotten in touch with about the person who will be handling your case and doing 100% of the job.
If your case is forwarded to either one of the junior associates or secretaries or any other paralegal professionals, you should be aware of that. The same goes with the specialist they might want to hand over your case to. In such cases, there might be some additional charges or fees that you may have to pay. You need to get clarity over that too before you associate with them and go to court.
3. Enquire About The Fee Structure Of The Law Firm
Regardless of the intensity or the seriousness of your case, you must understand and make deliberate efforts to remember the pricing structure of the personal injury law firm that you want to associate with. In most cases, several highly reputable lawyers are willing to take a case on a contingency basis. This means that if any money or compensation is awarded to you, the lawyer is going to take a share of that amount. Most attorneys are in the favor of at least 33% of your compensation amount.
3. Talk About The Courtroom Experience Of The Lawyer Openly
If you have any doubts about their courtroom experience and related capabilities, you need to clear them out right away. If the lawyer hasn’t appeared before a jury or a judge in a long time and if you think that your case is complicated enough, to begin with, you must get into a conversation with him immediately. Ask him about his experience with judges and jury members in the past. It is absolutely essential that your lawyer has the confidence, skill, and experience to take your case to court and present it in the most professional manner in front of the jury and the judges.
4. Availability Of The Professional Throughout Your Case
As pointed out earlier, your case might get transferred from one professional to another. But given that your initial point of contact was a particular lawyer that you had complete faith in, you must make sure that he is available throughout the proceedings of your case. If that particular professional is not available to you and if you think that any other associate or lawyer is not as competent or skilled to handle your case, refrain from moving on with the arrangement.
5. In The End, Always Go With Your Gut Feeling
It is a good thing to trust your instincts many times. There are several instances when your heart guides you in the right direction. Ask yourself if you like the lawyer or not. Do you like the way he conducts himself? If you think that he is straightforward and kind, he should go on your speed dial. Now will be the right time to talk to him about whether he is willing to work on a contingency basis or not. It might just prove to be a great decision for your case.