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If you have been injured through no fault of your own, a personal injury attorney could help you secure the fair compensation you deserve. Before you hire an attorney and move forward with your accident claim, it is a good idea to carefully select your legal counsel. One of the best ways to do that is to take advantage of a free consultation.
When you meet a prospective Rutherfordton personal injury lawyer, you will have the chance to ask a variety of questions. They might cover specific legal issues of your case or the legal system in general.
How Long Have You Practiced Personal Injury Law?
While experience is important, not all types of legal experience are the same. Your case is in good hands when an attorney with an extensive background in personal injury law is leading the way. That is why it is important to ask more than just how long a person has been an attorney, as a lawyer who has spent the last 20 years drafting wills might not be able to provide you with the same resources as one focused on injury litigation.
Many attorneys focus their practice exclusively on personal injury law. This is important, as it allows them to spend their time perfecting the finer points of winning these cases without splitting their energy with other things like divorces or corporate mergers.
What is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
During your initial consultation, a lawyer cannot make any guarantees about what your case might be worth. There are too many factors at play to promise a specific outcome. However, a lawyer could review the facts of your case and make a rough estimate of what you might recover if you are ultimately successful. They will be able to advise you on the types of damages you are eligible to recover based on your financial losses.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
Have You Handled a Personal Injury Case Like Mine Before?
General experience regarding personal injury lawsuits is helpful, but finding an attorney who has handled a case like yours is beyond valuable. They understand the nuance of your case and could have dealt with the same hurdles you can expect to face.
In addition to learning if an attorney has handled a case like yours, you also could ask about their strategy. In addition to finding out about their approach, you can also ask about the result of a case like yours.
How Would You Update Me on the Progress of My Case?
Your personal injury case is important, and you deserve to always know its status until the case is resolved. It is a good idea to ask a potential attorney about how they intend to communicate with you, especially when it comes to progress updates. Will the attorney be responsible for contacting you with updates, or is that handled by a paralegal or secretary?
Communication between a lawyer and their client is crucial, so you can benefit from knowing exactly who to get in touch with if any questions arise. Having a clear understanding of how communication will be handled goes a long way toward avoiding conflicts in the future.
How Much does It Cost to Hire You for My Case?
Another way to avoid misunderstandings is by asking about an attorney’s fee structure upfront. Every lawyer has their own approach to billing, and it is crucial that you know what the policy is before you agree to hire an attorney.
Most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. That means they keep a percentage of your settlement in exchange for taking up your case without any upfront legal fees. With a contingency fee agreement, the attorney carries the risk because if you do not get paid, they do not either.
There are other types of billing practices, including hourly rates and flat fee agreements. These options are not common in personal injury cases, but it is helpful to confirm the expectations of your lawyer. The percentage an attorney keeps can also vary dramatically from one personal injury law firm to another. Before you hire a lawyer, you should ask about their fee.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Personal Injury Claim?
Every personal injury case is unique, with its own complex issues that can take years to resolve. However, accident victims typically have three years to file a personal injury claim in South Carolina under S.C. Ann § 15-3-530 and in North Carolina under G.S. § 1-52.
The process begins with investigating the incident and building a case against the liable party. This is followed by negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company or legal representatives, which can take several weeks or longer. If the case proceeds to trial, the attorney must prepare and present the victim’s case in court.
Given the various steps involved, it can be challenging to predict the exact time frame for concluding a personal injury case.
Discuss These Questions and More with a Personal Injury Lawyer from Our Firm Today
These are only some of the key questions that can help you decide if an attorney is right for you. Our law firm understands getting answers is important, which is why the initial consultation is always free.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we look forward to the opportunity to review your case and answer your questions. We are proud of our track record of success when it comes to recovering damages for injury victims, and we hope to use our relevant experience to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation today.
