If you are considering hiring a personal injury attorney in Orange County, it’s important you know the right questions to ask. There are a lot of attorneys who say they can handle your case, but finding the one that will be able to best represent you can be a challenge. To help you determine if a particular attorney is right for you, ask him or her these questions.
What is your contingency fee?
Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless you win your case. This works to your advantage as attorney fees can be quite steep and can be difficult to come out of pocket for. Depending on the attorney and the case, the fee is usually between 25% and 40% of the settlement.
What experience do you have with this type of case?
It’s important to choose an attorney who has tried and won cases similar to yours in the past. There are many different specialties within the personal injury practice area. If they don’t specialize in the type of case you have, consider finding a different attorney.
Do you have time to handle my case?
Ask them if they have time to handle your case, when they plan on filing the case and how soon they expect a resolution. While there are many variables in any case, getting a general understanding of the timeline will help you understand how quickly this will be resolved. If they are too busy to work on your case, it can hurt your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries.
How much is my case worth?
Ask them to give an estimate based on the information you provide. If they promise you millions for some minor injuries, they are probably setting unrealistic expectations. As you ask multiple attorneys this same question, also ask them why they think it’s worth that much. You can compare their answers and determine what is realistic.
Who will be handling my case?
Be sure to know who your main contact will be and who will be the attorney handling your case. If you like the attorney you are meeting with, but will be assigned to another attorney, request that the attorney you like handles the case. Also, be sure to meet the people you will be interacting with on a regular basis. Being able to effectively communicate with your contact will be important to getting your case resolved.
Will you get me more money than other attorneys?
As you interview different attorneys, gauge how committed they are to getting you the most money for your case. If they are looking to settle it as quickly and easily as possible, you might not get as much money as if you took the time to build a strong case against the defense. Also, if an attorney has tried similar cases in the past, they might have the ability to get more money for you because they know what to look for.
When you are hiring a personal injury attorney, be sure to do your due diligence. You will feel more confident about your decision and will be able to choose an attorney who can best help you.
If you are interested in learning more about the Law Offices of John P. Burns, please give us a call at 949-496-7000.