Legal Help: Getting Hurt on the Street

If you're preparing to speak with a personal injury attorney after being in an accident or incident where serious injury occurred, you likely have many questions about how the initial meeting will go and what the attorney will say regarding your potential case. Some of these questions may be about the attorney themselves and if they're qualified to handle your case. Personal injury claims are complex. By hiring the right lawyer with the right experience, you can help your case succeed. One of the other best ways to help your case be successful is to bring a list of questions for the attorney you'll be speaking with. Based on their answers, you may be able to determine if they're a good fit. 

Here are three questions you may want to ask during your initial meeting (often referred to as initial consultation):

1. Have you handled similar cases? 

What you're looking for is an honest answer. If the attorney is able to say they have handled similar cases or even talk about similar cases, this is a good sign. If they admit they haven't, you'll want to follow up with other questions about how they plan to tackle your case without prior experience. 

2. Do you feel this case will succeed? 

Most experienced attorneys will answer this one honestly, even though they may hesitate before doing so. Their answer should seem genuine. They may discuss some of the complexities of your case as well as any unknowns that need to be investigated. They may admit they don't have a solid answer for you, but that they're hopeful. All of these answers are valid because they're honest. Personal injury cases rarely come with a guarantee. You want an attorney who is always honest with you, even if that honesty is difficult to put into words.  

3. How will you communicate? 

Communication is vital for any attorney-client relationship. You need to feel comfortable reporting to your lawyer, and in turn, they need to update you every step of the way and explain things to you. The last thing you want is to be in a situation where you don't know what's going on with your case. Hear their plans for communication, and make sure they're available to answer any questions should they arise. 

You should never take the decision to hire a lawyer lightly. There's a great deal at stake in a personal injury claim, and a case can last months or even years. The bottom line is simple. You need to hire a lawyer you can trust and who trusts you. By asking the right questions, you can feel confident you've chosen the right legal representative. 

Reach out to an attorney, such as Franklin L. Jones, Jr., to get started.