One of the most important steps you must take after suffering an injury caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness is hiring a personal injury attorney in Dallas to help you recover your entitled compensation. Fortunately, most lawyers offer prospective clients a free initial consultation to discuss their claims.
Since the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit will impact the rest of your life, you need to determine the right lawyer for your case. During your free consultation, there are certain questions you must ask to find a legal professional you can trust. In addition, bring all the information you have about your case with you, so that the attorney can provide accurate legal advice.
The following are several questions you should ask a prospective personal injury lawyer:
- Do you have any experience handling my type of case before? You want to hire an attorney has ample experience with your specific type of claim. For example, if you suffered an injury in a car accident, you would want a lawyer who has an extensive track record of success with car accident cases.
- Do you have any trial experience? The truth is that most personal injury lawsuits are settled outside the courtroom, which is why many lawyers will only try to resolve your case without going to trial. You want your attorney to be both an experienced negotiator who can obtain the most favorable settlement and a skilled trial lawyer who can successfully litigate your case if necessary.
- Will you handle my case directly? In many law firms, you may meet with a partner, but then your case will be passed down to an associate and/or paralegal. Therefore, you must determine exactly who will be your attorney.
- Do you have the resources necessary to handle my claim? The prospective lawyer must be able to tell you how he/she will investigate your case and determine your available legal options to obtain the best possible result.
- How much are your fees? Most personal injury attorneys handle cases on a “contingency fee” basis, which means you would not have to pay anything unless you win your claim. If you are awarded compensation, your lawyer will take a percentage of the total. You must ask how much the attorney will charge if you win your case.
- How much is my case worth? A lawyer should be able to determine what your case is worth and explain how various factors (e.g., your percentage of fault, preexisting medical conditions, etc.) may affect a verdict or settlement offer.
- May I get a reference? Do not be afraid to ask a potential attorney if you can speak to a past client.
If you need a personal injury attorney in Dallas, Houston, or Chicago, do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers to learn how we can help you. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients facing a wide range of personal injury cases, from car accidents and truck accidents to premises liability and wrongful death.
Contact us today at (214) 739-0100 to learn more about our firm.