When you (or your loved one) have suffered injuries because of an accident due to someone’s negligence, you need to evaluate whether you have an injury claim. Personal injury laws are confusing, and even though Washington laws are geared toward claimants, people often fail to recover a fair settlement. You need a reliable legal team before you start the battle, and you can consider meeting the top lawyers of The Walthew Law Firm. In this post, check the essential questions to ask before you hire a lawyer.
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Will you evaluate my claim for free?
As the victim, you are already dealing with financial bitsandboxes concerns. Fortunately, many law firms in cities like Bellevue offer free consultations. Call the lawyer’s office and ask for an appointment. This is also your opportunity to discuss your case and determine whether the lawyer’s style is reliable. The consultation is also an excellent way to gauge the lawyer’s work profile.
What is your experience with such claims? What were the previous outcomes?
Experience over price – period. You need a seasoned lawyer who has handled similar circumstances and claims in the past and can give you a detailed overview of the likely outcomes. Personal injury lawyers don’t always take all kinds of cases. For instance, a lawyer may be skilled at handling construction accident claims but not have a similar experience with medical malpractice claims. You need someone who has relevant experience.
Who will work on my case?
It often happens that lawyers assign cases to their associates and partners. Even if that’s the case, you should be able to communicate with your attorney. Ask in advance whether the lawyer will personally work on the matter, and if they don’t, they should connect lifeline hospital them with the assigned legal team. Never work with a lawyer who is too busy to answer your questions.
What is the expected settlement? What factors could impact the outcome?
Ultimately, you want a fair amount in compensation, and the damages depend on several factors, including your injuries and whether you were liable for the mishap. A seasoned lawyer will not inflate the damages but will consider all relevant aspects to give an estimate. Besides direct losses like medical bills and income loss, you could be entitled to non-economic damages, too, such as pain and suffering.
It is also a good idea to ask the attorney about their contingency fee. If the case is likely to go to court, you may have to pay a higher percentage, depending on the circumstances.