Following a personal injury, the negligent party’s insurance company should take responsibility for your damages. However, like any other business, insurance companies aim to make profits and remit lower settlements to maximize their investment. This is why liaising with an experienced attorney for your case is advisable. An experienced attorney will represent you before the insurance agent and jury to ensure a fair settlement for your case.
While you can get recommendations of a good attorney from your friends and family, employ diligence in the hiring process by asking relevant questions during your initial consultations to settle on the right attorney. Here are four questions to ask your Phoenix injury lawyer before hiring.
1. How many similar cases have you handled and won before?
Personal injury covers many accidents and suffering, and your lawyer should be familiar with the legal issues around them. Some of these accidents include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall
- Dog bites
- Product liability
- Assault and battery
- Medical malpractice
Ask your lawyer if they have handled a similar case to yours and whether they won so that you are confident they will work to ensure you get the compensation and justice you deserve. Also, ask your Phoenix injury lawyer if their cases ever reached trial and how it went to know if they can stand before the jury and effectively represent you.
2. How much do you charge?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you will pay them up to 40% after recovering the damages in your lawsuit. Your Phoenix injury lawyer may also charge advanced costs, which depending on your case, could be substantial. Therefore, ask this question to avoid responsibility over out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Are you available to handle my case?
Following a personal injury, you want to ensure your lawyer can give your case the attention it deserves. The temptation is often to go to a big name, and while this guarantees a win in most cases, be careful of hiring a lawyer with a heavy caseload. Also, while you may contact the senior attorney at your local firm, they are not guaranteed to handle your case. Therefore, knowing if they will delegate to their juniors is important. If comfortable with delegation, ask about the qualifications of the party handling your case to ensure competence.
4. How long will it take to handle my case?
Several factors will influence the length of your case, including your recovery period, gathering of evidence, negotiation, and litigation. Ask your Phoenix injury lawyer how long it may take to resolve a case like yours; they should give you a rough estimate. On the other hand, beware of an attorney with exact estimates, as they may overlook some processes.
Hire A Phoenix Injury Lawyer For Representation
Choosing an injury attorney is important to help you navigate the legal issues with the insurance or jury as you focus on healing. Asking your recommendations for the above questions will enable you to make an informed decision. With good representation, there is more guarantee of a win, which translates to fair compensation for your damages.