Questions to Ask a WV Personal Injury Lawyer
When a person is injured in an accident and someone else is at fault, the injured party and their loved ones are often left with more questions than answers. Sometimes it is even hard to know what questions to ask. If you are considering hiring a West Virginia (WV) personal injury attorney to represent you, don’t just hire the first one you come across. Finding the right attorney can make the difference in getting the full compensation you deserve. Here are eight questions to ask a potential WV personal injury lawyer to find one who can best meet your needs.
1. What Fees Should I Expect to Pay My WV Personal Injury Lawyer?
Many personal injury lawyers take cases on contingency. When you agree to a contingency fee payment arrangement, you don’t pay fees for your legal representation unless your case is successful. If you are awarded money damages, you pay the percentage fee of the settlement you agreed to with your attorney.
For example, the fee for a WV car accident attorney might range from 25 to 40 percent. It can be tempting to opt for a personal injury lawyer who takes a lower contingency fee; however, a lower fee could be a red flag regarding experience or the level of dedication to your case. Thirty-three percent is a standard fee charged by many personal injury attorneys.
It’s also important to ask about additional expenses that may occur in your case. These are fees that are related to your case but not tied to the contingency fee. This can include costs like court fees, third-party vendor fees, and administrative fees. Some personal injury lawyers will advance these costs on your behalf; however, it’s important to discuss this with your lawyer beforehand. Otherwise, you may be stuck paying these fees even if your lawsuit proves to be unsuccessful.
2. Does the Attorney Have Experience in Personal Injury Cases Like Mine?
When you are hiring a personal injury attorney, experience is important. Ask potential lawyers if they have handled cases like yours. If they have, ask about their results.
Attorneys often have more experience—and, therefore, more knowledge—in cases related to specific types of accidents or injuries than others. For example, if you were injured in a trucking accident, you want an attorney who knows the relevant state and federal regulations, is familiar with standard industry practices, and has relationships with experts in that field. If your injuries resulted from a hazard on someone else’s property, on the other hand, your lawyer will need to have different skills, knowledge, and relationships. Of course, an attorney could have experience in multiple areas, but this is always a good question to ask.
3. What Is the Lawyer’s Caseload and Schedule?
While it might sound intrusive, it’s important to gauge whether a potential WV personal injury lawyer will be able to devote time to your case. Don’t be afraid to ask how soon your case will be filed or how many other claims they are working on currently.
4. What Are the Possible Outcomes of My Personal Injury Claim?
Even with the most complicated cases, lawyers can eyeball a case and offer an opinion of what they think their chance of success may be. Do not be afraid to ask a potential injury lawyer what possible outcomes they would anticipate. This question can help you manage your expectations, and it can be helpful when comparing one personal injury lawyer to another. This question can also speak to your potential lawyer’s experience and level of confidence in your case.
5. What Timeframe Should I Expect for Resolution of My Case?
Another of the WV personal injury questions you should ask is how long you should expect the case to take from start to finish. The lawyer will not be able to give you an exact timeframe, but asking for a ballpark estimate is reasonable. This can be a helpful question to gauge which attorneys will have the time to devote to your case.
6. How Likely Is a Trial Versus Settlement, and What Is the Lawyer’s Trial Success Rate?
It can be a red flag if a potential personal injury lawyer tells you early on that the other party will settle. It can be more beneficial to work with a lawyer who will take your case to trial if necessary. This way, you can be sure that your lawyer is doing their best in collecting evidence that will prove your case. If you do enter negotiations, this will poise you to have a better standing for reaching a fair settlement. Most personal injury cases do settle rather than go to trial. Still, you should question potential injury lawyers about success rates when they have gone to trial.
7. How Does the Attorney and Law Firm Handle Communication?
Ask potential lawyers how they plan to communicate with you and how regularly they plan to do so. Be sure to ask how they will pass along updates and new developments in your case. Communication is key to staying on the same page with your lawyer and ultimately getting the compensation you deserve. It’s important that you and the WV personal injury lawyer who represents you have an open line of communication.
8. What Do Past Clients Have to Say?
Nothing speaks to a lawyer’s credibility more than past clients. Ask potential lawyers if you can speak to some of their most recent clients. It can also be helpful to speak with clients who have cases similar to yours.
You should know, however, that the lawyer-client relationship is confidential, and lawyers can’t give out information about a client without that client’s permission. Testimonials on a lawyer’s website or Google reviews are quick ways to gauge client satisfaction with a particular lawyer or law firm.
Are You Ready to Speak to a WV Personal Injury Lawyer?
Finding the right lawyer to represent you is one of the first steps to getting the compensation you are due. If you are looking for a qualified WV personal injury lawyer to be on your side, reach out to get in touch with one of our experienced lawyers today. We will be happy to answer these WV personal injury questions and any others you have. Call Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson at 304-263-0900 or (304) LAWYERS or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your claim.