Your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney is an interview. You are meeting with a legal professional in the hopes of finding someone you would like to work with to build a successful personal injury case.
A lot of thought and preparation should go into interviewing a potential attorney. Personal injuries involve your current and future health and your financial stability.
You may speak with several attorneys before making your final selection. The following questions may help to guide your decision:
Most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis meaning you only pay when money is recovered on your behalf. There are no upfront legal fees.
Instead, your attorney will earn a percentage of the final monetary award. Always ask what percentage the attorney charges, and if going to trial affects this amount.
Make sure the attorney primarily practices personal injury law. You do not want a family lawyer or bankruptcy lawyer pursuing your personal injury case.
Ask how long the attorney has practiced personal injury law and find out their success rate.
An experienced personal injury attorney should be able to discuss similar cases they have handled in the past and the results from those cases. Find out if the attorney has trial experience in the event your case goes to court.
Every personal injury case has weaknesses. Ask the attorney to identify the problems in your case.
An experienced attorney will be able to discuss these honestly and suggest solutions.
Communication can make or break an attorney-client relationship. Find out who will take your calls and return them. Ask whether the attorney is available directly by phone, text, or email. If so, what hours?
Do case updates come out weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly? What are your communication expectations and can the attorney and their staff meet those?
A successful personal injury attorney with satisfied previous clients should be happy to put you in contact with one or two of them.
Ask what the attorney expects of you as a client. Some attorney-client relationships involve frequent interaction and attendance by clients at depositions and other meetings. Other relationships are hands-off with regular legal updates by email or another preferred method of communication.
No matter the attorney-client relationship style, keep in mind you will be working with this person through a challenging life experience. Choose someone you feel comfortable with and find easy to be around.
When you are ready to meet with a San Antonio personal injury attorney, contact The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC. We have decades of experience in personal injury law and a successful track record of results for our clients.
At The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC, it is our goal to provide personalized and attentive service. Meet with one of our skilled attorneys in a risk-free consultation today!
"*" indicates required fields