Before you hire a lawyer to help you negotiate a fair settlement in your personal injury case, it is crucial that you first find a professional with the right credentials and bedside manner. You want to feel comfortable and confident that you’ll receive qualified and compassionate legal support to see you through such a difficult time. 

With that in mind, below are some key questions you should ask prospective lawyers during your free initial consultation:

1. Do You Have Experience With Cases Like Mine?

Given that personal injuries occur in such a wide variety of ways, it’s common for lawyers in the field to represent an equally wide range of accident victims. 

However, the way in which you were injured (be it a car crash, slip and fall incident, dog bite attack, or workplace accident) matters; you need to determine whether a lawyer has a proven track record of experience and success with cases like yours before you hire them.

You’re likely already facing a mountain of medical bills and the inability to return to work; it’s understandable to be concerned about your capacity to pay for legal services. It is for that reason that the majority of personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis.

What that means is that the upfront costs of preparing your case, negotiating for a settlement, and even going to court will be covered by the law firm. If (and only if) a settlement is reached, the fee for legal services will be paid out of the settlement, which means you’ll owe nothing out-of-pocket.

3. What Size Settlement Can I Expect?

An experienced lawyer will start by evaluating the available evidence to tell you whether you have a case worth pursuing. If you do, and you decide to hire the attorney, they will gather additional evidence, speak with experts, and consider similar cases to provide you with a potential settlement range that you might try to negotiate for.

That amount will depend on several factors, such as who is at fault in your case, the evidence you can leverage, the extent of your injuries, and whether you’re facing compounding circumstances like a catastrophic injury. 

Furthermore, you may seek economic damages for known expenses (like your medical costs and lost wages) and non-economic damages, which would cover things like your pain and suffering and further mental and emotional distress.

4. How Long Will It Take To Settle My Case?

The amount of time it takes to settle a case depends on some of the same factors that play a role in determining the size of your settlement (fault, evidence, injuries), as well as the type of accident you’ve been in and the willingness of insurance companies to settle in a timely manner. 

There are no guarantees, but seasoned legal professionals will use every tool at their disposal to negotiate a fair settlement as quickly as possible.

5. Will I Have To Go To Court?

The thought of going to court and testifying can be distressing when you’re already dealing with so much in the wake of a serious accident. An experienced personal injury attorney will work hard to negotiate a fair settlement quickly so you can get back to your life.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only about 3%-4% of personal cases are settled in court by a trial verdict. Nevertheless, seasoned attorneys will always prepare to defend your case in court should at-fault parties and their insurance companies refuse to negotiate in good faith. 

6. How Will I Get Updates About My Case?

As you wait and hope for negotiations to lead to a settlement that covers your medical costs, lost wages, and other damages, it makes sense to want to receive updates on the progress of your case. Good communication is important in choosing the right lawyer to represent you.

During your initial consultation, make sure to ask how regularly you can expect to receive updates. You should also be able to contact your legal team if you have questions, concerns, or additional information to provide.

Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Level The Playing Field

Insurance companies have extensive resources that they use to delay (if not deny) claims, hoping victims will settle for less or simply give up. An experienced attorney will help you level the playing field. They’ll have the legal resources and knowledge to fight underhanded tactics and negotiate for a settlement that helps to make you whole.

If you’re dealing with an at-fault party that’s trying to blame you or an insurance company intent on giving you the runaround, Contact the team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers now to schedule a free consultation or call us at (314) 444-4444 and find out how we can help you.