Hiring a Peachtree City Personal Injury Lawyer? Ask These Questions First!
We all know advertising is designed to make an attorney look good, but it may say very little about his actual track record and qualifications. So, how do you know the Peachtree City personal injury lawyer you are considering has the experience to get you results? We've listed some questions you can ask to help determine if an attorney is right for you.
1. Have you tried Georgia accident cases like mine before?
Although every injury case is different, you should only hire an attorney who has experience in car accident cases that are similar to yours. Check that the Peachtree City car accident injury lawyer has represented accident victims with injuries of similar severity. Ask about the attorney's background and experience. Ask him how long he has been handling car accident cases and for examples of cases that are similar to yours. Ask for case results including the amount of the final settlements. You should also ask for client testimonials.
2. Who will I work with?
Some attorneys work by themselves with a small staff. Other attorneys work for firms with hundreds of lawyers. Don't assume the attorney you are talking to will handle your case.
Ask who will be in charge of your case and who will be your point of contact. Find out if the attorney would like you to be actively involved in your claim or if he prefers to handle things without your input. Ask if it is ok to call with questions.
3. Do you have the time to work on my case now? When will my case be filed?
You want your case to be a priority. You have medical bills now and they should be taken care of in a timely manner. But, you can't assume your case will be worked on right away. Some large firms sign up more clients than they can help and then wait until just before the statute of limitations runs out before filing the case.
4. What do you think the outcome of my case will be? What is my case worth?
The attorney won't be able to give you an exact figure, but he should have a ball park idea of the value of your case.
5. How do I pay you?
Most Peachtree City personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no up-front costs; instead the attorney gets a percentage of your settlement. If the attorney doesn't win your case, you pay no legal fees. Contingency fees give your lawyer an incentive to get you a large settlement and to handle your claim quickly and efficiently.
However, you will want to ask your attorney if you are responsible for out-of-pocket expenses such as copying costs and filing fees.
We want to stress the importance of choosing a Peachtree City personal injury lawyer with whom you feel comfortable. You will be working together for months or even longer, so choose a lawyer you can trust.
Learn more about how you can protect your Peachtree City car accident claim in our free book: "10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Georgia Wreck Case." If you have been injured in a Georgia car accident and would like to discuss your claim with a Peachtree City personal injury lawyer, contact Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656.
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