Many individuals who have been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing typically seek legal guidance from a skilled Denver personal injury lawyer. But quite often, accident victims who have never interacted with lawyers of any type do not know what to look for when hiring an attorney to handle their case.
The following questions are provided to assist accident victims with their search for a proper lawyer who will work hard to obtain the best outcome possible. Accident victims are encouraged to interview at least two lawyers before making a final decision regarding legal representation.
Question 1: Do you typically handle cases like mine?
It is very important for you to work with an attorney who has handled similar cases in the past. For instance, if you’ve been hurt in an automobile accident, you would not particularly want to seek counsel from an attorney who has only handled bankruptcy cases. Similarly, just because the lawyer says he’s a “personal injury” lawyer does not necessarily mean he has handled cases similar to your scenario.
Question 2: How much will you charge to handle my case?
Most personal injury attorneys handle such cases on a contingency fee basis. What that means for accident victims is that they will NOT be required to pay a fee unless the case has a successful outcome resulting in the recovery of monetary damages. Typically, a personal injury lawyer charges a percentage of whatever award is obtained. That percentage can range anywhere from 25 to 40 percent.
Question 3: If my case is unsuccessful, will I be responsible for any costs related to the case?
Always be sure to find out what happens if your case is unsuccessful (from a financial standpoint). Some attorneys will still charge fees or case-related costs that they may have advanced as part of the case — and this is in addition to any contingency fee charged. If out-of-pocket expenses have been incurred by the attorney, you should be sure to ask who will be responsible for those costs.
Question 4: Will you be handling my case personally, or will someone else in the firm?
Depending on the size of the firm you’re dealing with, the attorney you speak with initially may or may not handle your actual case. Additionally, different individuals in the firm may handle different aspects of your case from the time the case is initialized until an outcome has been reached. You should also consider how involved you want to be in the case. Some victims prefer not to be hands-on and will allow the lawyer to simply handle the case while they remain in the background. Whatever relationship you expect to have with your attorney, it is important for you to make sure you both are on the same page.
Question 5: Do you have any references?
Prior to hiring any lawyer, you are encouraged to ask for references. This means that the attorney you speak with should be able to provide you with at least one or two previous clients who were satisfied with the service they received. While there may be a few testimonials provided on the attorney’s website, you should not rely on those, as they may have been edited or altered in some way.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident, it is imperative that you work with a capable personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. Contact Levine Law today to discuss your case.
