Lesser Known Questions to Ask When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you need legal help in Colorado after an accident or injury, you probably know to ask about a personal injury lawyer’s experience, track record, and legal fees. But there are some lesser known questions you should ask as well to find the best attorney for your case.

How Large is Your Case Load?

It’s important to ask any potential lawyer how many active cases they are currently handling. An extremely large caseload can be a red flag that they may not be able to devote enough time and attention to your case. The ideal attorney will have enough cases to be experienced, but not so many that yours gets lost in the shuffle. Get a feel for their workload, so you know your case will get the time it deserves. You’ll also want to inquire about the support staff. Having paralegals, legal assistants, and other support can prevent the attorney from getting overloaded. Make sure the law firm has enough personnel, so your lawyer isn’t spread too thin.

What is Your Experience Negotiating with Insurance Companies?

Since most personal injury claims involve negotiations with insurance carriers, it’s vital to ask about the lawyer’s experience dealing with them. Different companies have different approaches and reputations. You want an attorney who is seasoned in getting top dollar settlements from insurers. Ask if they have experience specifically negotiating with the company involved in your case. Find out details like settlement ranges they’ve achieved in similar cases. Their insurance negotiation skills can directly impact your compensation.

How Frequently Do You Go to Trial?

Understanding a personal injury lawyer’s trial experience is also important. Even if you hope to settle out of court, having trial experience under their belt gives them more leverage in negotiations. Ask what percentage of their cases actually go to trial. 10% to 20% is fairly typical. Also, find out details of recent trials they’ve done. Ideally, you want an attorney who has recent, relevant trial experience and success. This puts pressure on insurance companies to make reasonable settlement offers to avoid court. If they know your lawyer is willing and able to try the case, they’ll be more likely to negotiate in good faith. Ask how many jury trials they’ve handled in the past 5 years as well as their win/loss rate. This will reveal their courtroom track record. Going to trial always carries some risk, so their experience helps reduce that.

Will You Personally Handle My Case?

It’s also crucial to ask if the attorney you meet with will be directly handling your case, or if it will be passed to lower-level associates. Make sure you’re comfortable with whoever will be managing your claim. Bigger firms may utilize teams, while small firms focus on the partners. You want adequate attorney oversight on your case along with support from paralegals and other staff. Find out their structure and involvement so you know what to expect.

Asking these key questions when speaking with lawyers can help you find the right fit for your personal injury case. Digging deeper prepares you to make an informed hiring decision.

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