Introduction
Accidents rarely come up with forewarning, leaving most victims unsure and unprepared for how to proceed. You must seek immediate medical attention for queries and the assistance of qualified and experienced legal representation.
But for that, you need to understand not every lawyer has expertise in every matter you bring in front of them.
To that end, here are a few crucial questions you must ask your personal injury attorney in Costa Mesa before hiring them.
Essential Questions to Ask Your Injury Lawyer
- What areas of law does the attorney specialize in
For instance, you will never choose a brain surgeon to deliver a baby, even if they both practice medicine. Likewise, you should never hire a personal injury attorney in Irvine who does not focus their practice on personal injury work. For the results to come in your form, you will always seek legal aid from an attorney specializing in personal injury law. Different lawyers generally have specialization in different areas of law.
- Has the attorney taken any cases similar to this one in the past? If so, how many cases have they taken, and how did they turn out?
For instance, someone specializes in a specific field, but that does not mean they will be particularly skilled at it. They may be new to the area of practice, may only do it part of the time, or maybe not be so proficient. For that, you must consult a personal injury lawyer in Costa Mesa.
- Will any other attorneys be working on this case?
Many believe the attorney they hire will represent them in a court of law. But in reality, so much of the work is handled by the non-attorney case managers, and the junior attorneys attend the hearings in the firm. Even if these junior attorneys and staff members are completely qualified to do a phenomenal job on your case, you must ask this question if you want a specific attorney for your case.
- How long does the attorney think it may take to resolve the case?
Knowing how long the attendance may disrupt your life in any legal proceedings is important. As the medical bills and time out of work pile up, it is often crucial to get an idea of how long it takes before you are compensated for the injuries. There are a few factors that may affect the duration of the trial, so no attorney will be able to give the exact time frame. Still, they must be able to give you a general estimated period based on how long the cases, similar to yours, have taken in the past.
- Can the attorney work on a contingency basis?
Most personal injury attorneys may not charge you for their services but will take a portion of any profit you receive from the positive outcome at the trial. It is known as a contingency fee, where the attorney getting paid depends upon the amount you are getting paid. Most personal injury attorneys will also pay the doctors for doctors’ visits as the case progresses, but before you receive the compensation from the person who caused the injuries. You can contact a personal injury attorney at New Port Beach for details about the contingency fees.
- Can anything be done to enhance the chances of the case being successful?
Many assume they can sit back and wait for the check to arrive as soon as they hire an attorney. Unfortunately, that rarely happens in this case. The attorney may probably need to see the number of doctors, talk to the investigators, and you need to involve themselves in the case until its conclusion.
- How frequently does the attorney go to the trial?
Your attorney needs to analyze the factors for the particular case to determine the appropriate course of action for the case. This question can be essential because of the implications for receiving the larger payout. Generally, insurance companies end up paying for the injuries in a personal injury case; they offer settlements much less than what you might be able to get if the case goes to trial.
- Can the attorney provide references from past clients?
Many jurisdictions allow attorneys to provide references from past clients. Suppose you are in one of these jurisdictions. In that case, past client references may indicate whether the previous clients were satisfied with the attorney’s performance, which can provide information about the results obtained. This can be one of the smartest moves to find a personal injury lawyer in Newport Beach.
Stay the Course with an Experienced Attorney
Apart from the tips cited above, there are many other instances when you require a lawyer to aid and function as a negotiator or represent you in the case of a conflict and medical compensation. Before hiring an attorney, you must dodge fakers and scammers. You can contact Castro & Co. to hire a personal injury lawyer in Irvine whom you can trust and rely on.
For details, you can contact our law offices to set up an appointment.
