February 5, 2020

Questions to Ask Your Personal Injury Attorney

When you’ve been hurt in an accident, finding an attorney who can help you secure compensation should be one of your top priorities. The expenses associated with an accident can be extensive, and without legal assistance, you could find yourself on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. When you’re ready to find the right personal injury attorney for you, ask these questions to make sure you find a good fit.

You will need to call an attorney right away to begin the legal process. Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. is here for you. Call us at (217) 528-9955 or use our online contact form.

What are your fees and how are they structured?

Many personal injury attorneys in Chicago work on a contingency basis. This means that they do not collect fees unless your case ends in a settlement or court victory. Your attorney deducts their fees as a percentage of your winnings. However, you should also ask about case-related costs. These are often separate from attorney fees, and you may be responsible for paying them even if your case is unsuccessful.

Which cases make up the majority of your practice?

It’s important to know where your lawyer focuses their efforts. The answer to this question will give you some insight into what they’re passionate about and how aggressively they will pursue compensation for you.

There are similarities in many areas of personal injury law, so it’s not necessarily a red flag if your attorney’s primary area of focus is slightly different from your case. However, it is important that their primary focus is personal injury. Asking your cousin who does business law or your family friend who focuses on family law to handle your personal injury case will likely just leave you disappointed.

What happens if my case is not settled out of court?

Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, either during initial negotiations or after both sides have started preparing for court. Your attorney should be comfortable with an out-of-court settlement or a trial. Some attorneys will do whatever it takes to keep your case out of the courtroom, which may mean taking a smaller settlement. Choose a lawyer who will act in your best interest, not their own.

Which areas of personal injury are you most experienced in?

While there is some overlap across types of personal injury cases, the medical terminology and details often differ between injury types. Your case may be well-served by an attorney who has handled similar cases before. You can also ask your attorney how their experience with other types of personal injury cases could help your specific case.

Who will do most of the work on my case?

Avoid being the victim of a bait-and-switch. Some large law firms have potential clients meet impressive, well-known attorneys before switching their cases to new hires or paralegals. If you put in the time to interview an attorney, you want to know that the person you’re meeting with is the person who will be doing most of the work on your case. Having one point of contact at a law firm, rather than having to discuss your case with three or four different people, can really decrease your stress levels.

What do you expect of your clients?

Every attorney has different expectations regarding their clients’ participation in cases. If you are dealing with serious health issues as a result of your accident or you are overwhelmed by the legal process, you may want an attorney who is comfortable with you taking a hands-off approach. If you want to contribute as much as possible and be involved every step of the way, choose an attorney with a more collaborative approach.

Discuss Your Case With the Team at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.

Picking the right Chicago personal injury attorney is a crucial part of building your case. At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we strive to help clients get everything they deserve, and we fight aggressively for each and every client we serve. Schedule your consultation now by filling out our contact form or calling us at (217) 528-9955.