When you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else, the stakes are high to recover your losses and receive the resources you need to recover. While the decision to hire a lawyer may seem intimidating, a lawyer can get you significantly higher results than navigating a claim on your own.
Choosing to hire a Texas personal injury lawyer should not be taken lightly, as the outcome of your situation will be in their hands.
Understanding the right questions to ask is key to finding a lawyer to represent you. It can also reduce your stress. During an initial consultation, here are 4 questions to ask your personal injury lawyer to help you decide if they are the best fit for your situation.
Do You Have Experience With a Case Like Mine?
Trusting a lawyer with your situation is vital to the success of your case and your ability to work with them throughout the legal process. You need to know that they have experience handling the type of case you have.
Moreover, you also want to ask your personal injury lawyer how many years of experience they have handling cases like yours and whether they have a thorough understanding of the laws and nuances that may be associated with them.
Ask for details about how they approached previous cases of a similar nature. Learn what strategies they employed, as well as how those cases were settled. Make sure the lawyer will be prepared for every scenario and will tailor their methods to your situation rather than apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
During your meeting, ask the lawyer about some strengths and weaknesses of your case to get a sense of their ability to assess and identify the finer points of your situation and what can be done to ensure a strong case.
You will want to be confident that your case will stand up to any arguments brought by opposing parties or counsel. Find out as much as you can about the extent of the personal injury lawyer’s experience so you are aware upfront about anything that might affect your case.
How Much do You Charge for Your Services?
Find out how much a lawyer charges for their services and what type of billing structure they use. The attorney fees lawyers use can come in a few different forms, most commonly hourly rates, flat fees, and contingent fees. While a personal injury lawyer is most likely to use a contingency fee model, this should never be assumed.
Contingency fees are most commonly used for personal injury cases because they create greater accessibility to legal services. In this model, you would only pay legal fees if the lawyer working your case wins and secures compensation for you. Their fees are taken out of the damages you received, so you do not have to pay them out of pocket.
When you have suffered injuries, you are likely dealing with mounting accident-related expenses, and a contingency fee model prevents the cost of legal fees from being prohibitive to getting the help you need.
Another benefit of this model is that it ensures alignment between you and your lawyer on the desired outcome of the case. Additionally, always inquire about the specific details associated with the law firm’s fee structure.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
Every case is different, and the time it takes to resolve can vary. While you need a swift resolution to your case, it is important to set realistic expectations from the outset. You will also want to ensure that a lawyer will take your case seriously and be diligent about getting you results; conversely, a lawyer should not cut corners on your case either.
The complexities of your case, the cooperation of other parties, gathering evidence, and establishing negligence and fault can all influence the duration of your case.
If you have to go to court to resolve your claim, this will take longer than settling or using tools like mediation or arbitration. Additionally, if you go to court, a judge’s availability can also determine how swiftly your case is heard.
You will also want to ask your personal injury lawyer about the cadence of communication between you and the law firm throughout the process. Consistent communication and updates are key, as well as ensuring that your case is kept on track. To keep this process reasonable and efficient, aim to strike a balance that works for you and the law firm.
What is the Value of My Personal Injury Case?
Every personal injury case is different and influenced by different factors. An important question to ask your personal injury lawyer is to estimate the value of your case based on your losses and specific details of your situation. It can also be beneficial to see how they arrive at this amount.
Discuss with them what strategies they plan on using to get you the maximum compensation for your case. This could include going to trial or an out-of-court settlement. You should be able to walk away from the meeting with a clear understanding of the types of damages you can claim.
You should also ask to see the law firm’s verdicts and testimonials to get a clear picture of their track record of success and ability to work with clients. These features will provide additional clarity and background on the person and firm who might handle your case. This is a great way to assess if your case will be in good hands.
Lowe Law is Ready to Advocate for You
When you need a personal injury lawyer in Houston, Lowe Law is ready to answer your questions, help you learn more about us, and provide you with the legal representation you need. Whether you discovered us through local coverage in the news or through our website, we are prepared to be your advocate so you can get the resources you need.
Schedule a free consultation with our team today, and let us help you.
