Free Consultation With A Lawyer: Key Questions To Ask

After you receive medical care for the injury you sustained in an accident, the next step toward recovering compensation for your damages is discussing your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Though not every lawyer offers free consultations, many do. Below are a few of the questions you should ask a lawyer during your consultation to determine whether he or she is a good fit for you and your case.

What Is My Case Worth?

This is probably the most pressing question on your mind. Of course you want to know what your claim is worth – you suffered damages and you want to recover compensation for them.
Using the information you provide about your case, like your medical bills and the treatment you will need in the future, your lawyer should estimate an approximate dollar value for your claim. Any guarantee that you will recover a certain amount is a red flag – no lawyer can guarantee that your claim will be successful, much less how much money you will recover.

What Difficulties Might I Face with My Claim?

During your consultation, your lawyer should also discuss any difficulties you are facing with your claim. One of these could be demonstrating that your level of fault is below Georgia’s comparative negligence threshold of 50 percent. If you were 50 percent or more at fault for your accident, you cannot recover compensation for your damages. Other difficulties can include a lack of sufficient evidence to support your claim.

How Will You Charge Me?

Ask your lawyer whether he or she bills clients hourly, works on contingency, or works on a retainer. Your lawyer should be willing to discuss payment and give you a quote for his or her services before you commit to working together. Do not work with a lawyer who is not clear about how he or she will bill you and how much you can expect to pay.

Can You Provide Testimonials From Previous Clients With Cases Like Mine?

A successful lawyer should be happy to share testimonials from previous clients with you. Ask specifically if he or she has successfully settled cases similar to yours in terms of the type of accident you experienced or the injury you suffered.

Do You Think My Case Will Go To Court?

It can be difficult to say whether a case will go to court, but your lawyer can make an educated guess based on the facts you present during your consultation. Generally, claims that are fairly difficult to resolve have to be litigated.

Work With An Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer

When you are pursuing compensation for your personal injury damages, it is important that you work with a lawyer who you feel you can trust. In addition to the questions above, arrive to your consultation with any specific questions you have about your case, like how to use the evidence you have and how to obtain additional evidence to support the claim. When you are ready to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer, contact our team at Cohen & Sinowski, to schedule your case review with us.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and should not be seen as legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before you rely on the information presented here.