Questions to Ask Your Personal Injury Lawyer

Suffering a serious injury through no fault of your own is a traumatic and frustrating experience. Although you have the right to recover compensation for your losses by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, the process of hiring a personal injury attorney may feel daunting, especially if it’s your first experience within the civil court system for tort claims to recover damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.

Fortunately, most personal injury law firms offer potential clients a free case consultation. During this meeting, it’s crucial to know what questions to ask to ensure that you find the right fit. If you’re in the Kent area and are looking for a team of attorneys to assist you with your case, contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers. Our team of Kent personal injury lawyers are ready to answer your questions.

Have You Handled Cases Similar to Mine?

Many personal injury attorneys handle a broad range of personal injury claims, while others specialize in only a few categories of personal injury law. It’s beneficial to determine if a prospective attorney has substantial experience in cases similar to yours and to learn about outcomes in their most recent cases.

For example, if your case is a motorcycle accident claim, you may not wish to hire an attorney whose main focus is on medical malpractice and nursing home abuse cases.

What Is Your Law Firm’s Payment Structure?

It’s crucial to understand how a prospective attorney expects to be paid for their services. Most personal injury attorneys in Kent, WA and throughout the U.S. use contingency-based payment systems. Under this system, the attorney works on your case at no upfront cost to you. Instead, their payment is contingent upon obtaining a settlement or winning your case in court. Then, the attorney deducts their fee from the total amount of your award for damages.

The fee may range from 20% to 40%, depending on the attorney’s level of experience. Some personal injury lawyers increase their percentage if your case requires litigation in court. Be sure that you know the percentage your attorney charges before hiring.

Contingency-based payment ensures that your attorney will work hard to obtain the largest possible amount of compensation, since they do not get paid for their work if they don’t get compensation for you. The higher your settlement or court award, the higher the amount they are paid.

What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

It’s helpful to know what to expect before you take on a challenging legal endeavor like a personal injury case. During the initial evaluation of your case, an attorney should be able to give you at least an idea of what range of compensation you might expect based on the unique details of your case.

Most personal injury compensation covers out-of-pocket medical costs, lost wages, future income loss, and reduced earning capacity due to disability. There is also typically an award for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and for catastrophic injuries with loss of enjoyment of life or diminished quality of life.

Most claims end with a settlement from an insurance company. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only about four percent of personal injury cases require a trial.

Are You the Personal Injury Attorney Who Will Represent Me?

In some cases, a law firm’s lead attorney will conduct the initial evaluation of your case. It’s beneficial to ask whether they plan to represent you directly or refer your case to a colleague. If someone other than the attorney you interview during your initial consultation handles your case, ask if you can speak to the lawyer who will represent you. This helps you determine whether they inspire confidence and have a good rapport before you hire them.

Contact a Kent Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you’re ready to take the next step in your personal injury case, contact a Kent injury lawyer from Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers at (206) 312-0954 for a free consultation. Our experienced legal team is committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve and will answer all your questions to help you make an informed decision about your case.