After an injury, it’s easy to feel stretched thin, with only enough time and energy left to handle your medical needs and life’s necessities. Researching and interviewing your Decatur personal injury attorney can seem like the last thing you have time for. This leads many people to call up the first attorney they see advertised—the guy whose face is on the bus, or the firm with billboards all over town.
The truth is, choosing your Druid Hills personal injury lawyer is one of the biggest decisions you can make, with long-term consequences to your health, recovery, and finances. So put in the legwork now, talk out your case during your free consultation, and be sure to ask your personal injury attorney in Druid Hills the following questions:
How long have you been practicing?
Here’s a little secret: Brand-new lawyers representing personal injury clients often charge a similar contingency percentage to those who have been in the business for years, representing client after client and building up valuable experience. Be sure to ask prospective attorneys how long they’ve been practicing, how many personal injury cases they’ve taken on, and what settlements they’ve reached in cases similar to yours.
What percentage of your practice is devoted to personal injury?
In addition to understanding your prospective lawyer’s background and experience, it helps to know the focus of his or her firm. Some law offices dabble in everything, but personal injury law is complex. You’ll want to make sure you’re hiring a specialist—someone who knows the ins and outs of personal injury cases and has experience taking on insurance companies.
What’s your pay structure?
Many personal injury attorneys use a contingency arrangement, meaning there’s no fee until you collect. You’ll want to understand what percentage of any possible settlement your lawyer will receive. In some cases, the firm’s costs and expenses, such as filing fees and investigation costs, will also be deducted from your settlement. Ask about these up front.
Is there a way to handle this out of court?
Insurance companies are more likely to settle outside of court if they know they’re going up against an experienced lawyer. You’ll want to ask your prospective attorney his or her honest opinion of your case, and whether it’s one that could be settled quickly. While you want a lawyer who will fight hard for the settlement you deserve, it’s also far more costly and time-consuming to take a case to trial.
How will you keep me informed of progress and updates?
This one should be a clincher in any consultation. As you recover from your injuries and put your life back together, you shouldn’t also have to hound your lawyer for updates about your case. How will your attorney keep you up to date?
Hiring a Druid Hills Personal Injury Attorney Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
In conclusion, everything can feel like a rush after a car crash or other personal injury, but selecting your personal injury lawyer in Druid Hills should be one task you take your time with until you feel confident you’ve found the right fit. Ask friends, read reviews, and talk to possible attorneys.
At Litner + Deganian, we represent only personal injury cases, with no fees until you collect. You can get a free consultation at our office, conveniently located in Druid Hills near Emory and Decatur.
