If you’ve suffered a personal injury in an accident caused by someone else, your first priority should be your health and safety. But after the dust settles, you’ll likely soon wonder how to recoup your losses or even pay the bills, especially if you can’t work because of your injury.
When you seek legal options, it’s important to know everything you possibly can before hiring a lawyer or law firm so you can have effective representation you trust.
Are you wondering how to select the right South Carolina personal injury attorney to represent you? Here are 9 questions to ask when interviewing a personal injury lawyer to potentially handle your case:
- How much experience do you and your firm have with cases like mine?
You want to hire a lawyer who has experience with your particular type of case. Simply being a personal injury lawyer may not be enough. Your lawyer should have a background in the type of case you are pursuing. - Will I actually get to work with a lawyer or will support staff handle my case?
At some firms, paralegals and assistants do most of the work, including communications with clients. This question gives you the opportunity to see if most of your interaction will be with a lawyer or other staff. - Are you willing and prepared to take my case to trial if necessary?
It’s important to know if a lawyer has court experience, and if he or she has the resolve and experience to go to court and present a case to a jury. While many cases are settled out of court, sometimes it’s necessary to go to trial to get the full compensation you deserve. - What sort of results have you gotten for other people with cases like mine?
Ask for a list of outcomes the lawyer has achieved for people with cases similar to yours. This will give you an idea of the firm’s experience with such cases, and how successful they might be with yours. - Have you and your firm been recognized for your professional achievements?
Several organizations recognize attorneys and law firms for their legal work. Ask for a list of accomplishments and prestigious memberships in groups such as Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell, the American Association for Justice and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. - What do previous clients say about their experiences with your firm?
Client testimonials can tell you a lot about a potential lawyer, as well as the staff of a law firm. Hearing from previous clients about their experiences with a firm will help you assess what sort of experience you are likely to have. - Will I be able to get in touch with you when I have questions about my case?
You want an attorney who is accessible. All good lawyers are busy lawyers, but it’s also important that they make time for their clients and give them the attention they need. Will your lawyer return your calls and emails promptly, as well as keeping you up-to-date about the status of your case? - How will you bill for your services?
You need to know how much the lawyer’s services will cost you, win or lose. Most personal injury cases are taken on a contingency-fee basis, which means the lawyer is paid only if you recover damages. Other times, you will need to pay a retainer and hourly fees and for costs related to pursuing your case. - Why should I choose your firm over others in the community?
Every case is unique, and so is every attorney. This question will give you an idea of what a particular lawyer is willing to do for you and gives the attorney one last time to persuade you to hire him or her. Find out what makes the firm special and why you should pick it over other options.
At Joye Law Firm, we have experienced attorneys dedicated to giving you personalized attention. We make a sincere effort to get to know our clients and their needs. We have the knowledge to determine when it may be best to settle a case and when to go to court, as well as the experience and resolve to take a case before a jury when necessary in order to obtain proper compensation for our clients.
We invite you to ask us the questions listed above and all the other questions you have. Just Call Joye now or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation and claim review.
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