No one can be fully prepared for a serious injury accident. When you are hurt in an accident and forced to deal with mounting medical bills, lost time from work, and the stress and strain of repairing or replacing damaged property, you may not know where to turn for help.
Fortunately, an experienced injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim. Before this can happen, however, you need to hire an attorney who has the right experience to handle your case. Before hiring a lawyer, consider asking the following five questions to make sure they are the right professional to represent you:
- Have you handled cases similar to mine in the past?
It is essential to ask an attorney about their experience with your specific type of case. Not all personal injury lawyers have experience with every kind of injury case, and not all claims are handled the same way. An attorney who has only handled car accident claims involving passenger vehicles, for example, may not know how to handle a severe 18-wheeler accident case. Similarly, if they have never taken a slip and fall case or a defective drug case to trial, and your claim requires it, they may not have the knowledge or skill needed to win your case. - How long have you been working as an injury lawyer?
Simply put, experience matters. Choose an attorney who understands the law and has a proven track record of success. - Do you work on a contingency-fee basis?
If your injury attorney works on a contingency-fee basis, that means you, the client, won’t owe them a fee unless they recover financial damages on your behalf. If they secure compensation for your claim, they will deduct a percentage of the award along with the cost of expenses they incurred to win your case. That means you never pay a fee directly from your pocket. - How frequently do you take cases to trial?
Contrary to what you might see on TV, not every case goes to trial. Most injury claims end in a settlement after a series of negotiations with the insurance company for the person responsible for the accident. Unfortunately, the insurance company is sometimes unwilling to pay victims the full and fair value of their injury claims. When this happens, the best option may be to take the case to court. When interviewing an attorney, be sure to ask about their experience with depositions, taking cases to trial, and their record of successful jury verdicts. Be wary of attorneys who rarely or never take cases to trial. They may be unwilling to fight for you and your claim and may push you to accept a settlement that is far below what your claim is worth. - Who will be my primary contact throughout the case?
It is important to ask who your primary contact will be and who will be responsible for updating you on the status of your case. Personal injury lawsuits can take time to resolve, so be prepared for a journey. Law firms often have multiple people working on cases, so be sure to ask who your main point of contact will be, and what type of communication you can expect throughout the process.
Contact Jebaily Law Firm Today
If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident in South Carolina, turn to a law firm with the experience and resources to fight for the results that you deserve. For Over 50 Years, we have been working to protect our friends and neighbors in this community, and we are here to stand up and fight for you.
Schedule a free consultation with us by calling us or by reaching out to us online today.
