What Questions You Need To Ask Before Meeting With An Attorney

When hiring an attorney, personal injury victims need important details from the attorney to make a well-informed decision.

Attorneys must provide effective legal services for the victims and follow all guidelines and laws that pertain to the case. When inquiring about an attorney, there are certain questions clients should ask before hiring legal assistance and compare their answers to other local attorneys.

How Many Years Have They Practiced Law?

By asking about the attorneys’ law journey, the victim can determine how many cases the attorney has managed in their career. They need to know if the attorney has the credentials to manage the case appropriately. If they haven’t practiced law for an adequate number of years, the attorney may not be the suitable choice for the case. Victims who need to meet with a lawyer should ask questions about the attorney’s abilities. 

What Are Your Areas of Practice?

To determine if the attorney can help the victim with their case, the victim needs to know what areas of law are managed by the attorney. If the attorney manages personal injury cases, the victim must determine if the attorney handles their type of case. If the victim was injured in a dog attack, the attorney must handle dog attack cases or they are not the appropriate attorney for the case.  

What Percentage Do You Collect From Lawsuit Awards?

Attorneys that present legal claims or lawsuits to the court get a percentage of the victim’s monetary award as payment for their services. When choosing an attorney, the victim needs to find a lawyer that won’t overcharge or exploit them.

On average, the percentage that most attorneys receive is from 25 to 40% of the total monetary award from a lawsuit win. It is recommended that the victim inquires about these amounts before signing a contract.  

What Type of Clients Do You Represent?

Attorneys may choose clients according to their preferences and the validity of the case. However, they may prefer to work with clients who are business owners or consumers. The attorney’s preferences could affect how effectively they handle a specific case. These details are available through public records, and the victim can assess the attorney and decide if they are the appropriate choice for the case.  

How Do You Bill Your Costs?

The attorney can disclose how they bill their costs and if the victim will face additional costs beyond the set percentage. With a lawsuit, most attorneys do not require any money from the claimant until the attorney wins their case. When meeting with the attorney for the consultation, the victim should ask about billable charges and what the attorney’s expectations are. 

The victim shouldn’t hire an attorney for a personal injury claim that demands any money upfront or who will require more money than their percentage of the monetary award.  

When hiring an attorney, it is important for personal injury victims to ask attorneys certain questions and determine if the attorneys are a suitable choice for the victim’s case. They should determine how long the attorney has practiced law and what areas of the law the lawyer manages. The percentage of the monetary award the attorney requires as payment is a determining factor when choosing an attorney. When hiring an attorney, victims should have answers to their questions to help them make a hiring decision.