15 Questions To Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer

To choose the best possible personal injury lawyer in San Diego for you and your case, it is important that you get the answers you need to make an informed decision. We’ve assembled a list of at least 15 of the most important questions your prospective lawyer should be ready to answer. 

1) How long have you been a practicing lawyer in San Diego?

2) How many personal injury cases have you handled?

3) How many personal injury cases have you won?

4) How many personal injury cases have you taken to trial? Were they successful? 

5) How many cases like mine have you been involved in and what were their outcomes?

6) Can you provide references from your past clients that have similar cases?

7) How many cases are you currently handling?

8) Do you have adequate time to prepare my case?

9) Do you typically represent the injured person or the defendant?

10) Will you handle my case by yourself or will there be others participating with you?

11) Do you foresee any problems with my case?

12) How will I know if I have a strong case or not?

13) How will you charge me for your services?

14) Am I responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses if we lose? 

15) How will you handle communicating the progress of my case?

What You Want to Hear

When you first start talking to a lawyer about your case, make sure that they specialize in personal injury law. When it comes to personal injury law, experience matters a great deal. The more experience your lawyer and their firm have in handling cases that involve the type of personal injury you have suffered, the more likely you are to get the outcome and compensation you deserve. 

Personal injury cases are often settled without going to trial and can still deliver a great result for you and your family. However, if the lawyer you are speaking to has no trial experience, this is a serious disadvantage. If your settlement demands are not met, the ability to litigate a case is critical. 

Recognizing Red Flags

Your case is of the utmost importance to you, and your attorney should view it in the same manner. If you notice any of these red flags, you need to find another attorney. 

Lack of Compassion

Your lawyer should give you the impression that they genuinely care about your case. This doesn’t mean you need to become best friends with your personal injury lawyer, but it does mean that your case should be more significant than just a file in a drawer somewhere. Your attorney should be willing to work with you through every step of the process, no matter how long it takes.

Lack of Experience

As previously mentioned, experience with your type of case is important. No two cases are the same, but if you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you’re not going to want to be represented by an attorney whose primary experience is in DUI lawsuits. 

Lack of Communication

Success in a lawsuit, no matter the type, requires communication between an attorney and their client. First, your lawyer needs to listen and learn all the details of your case. Then while you’re pursuing the case, you need to be able to directly contact your lawyer with any questions or concerns that arise. 

Hiring the first personal injury lawyer whom you interview is not a requirement. If you are not satisfied with their answers, continue your search. Your personal injury lawyer should be someone you feel confident about advocating for your best interests throughout the whole process.