States do not certify attorneys in particular areas of law, but most attorneys do have specific areas they focus on in practice. There is a vast number of personal injury attorneys to choose from, and having an attorney who specializes in personal injury law might be a real benefit.
2. What is the value of my claim?
Calculating benefits due from any injury claim is usually a complex process, and attorneys who have settled similar claims may understand situations with multiple negligent parties. An experienced personal injury attorney may explain the factors that impact the value of a case, including who may be at fault.
3. How long does a claim usually take to settle?
Personal injury claims usually involve extensive negotiations between the adjuster and your attorney before a settlement is reached. And in some cases, no settlement is reached; this means that your case may be going to court. An experienced personal injury attorney can help evaluate your case and, depending on how strongly the claim is defended, provide an approximate timeline.
4. Will you represent my case personally?
Many large law firms that specialize in personal injury law often have paralegals working on certain aspects of cases, such as document gathering. Many individuals who are choosing a personal injury attorney prefer boutique law offices that offer personal service as part of their business model. Deciding what type of attorney you may want can be very important, and personal service might be an important factor in some cases.
5. What is your contingency fee?
Many contingency fees are capped in certain situations, but most attorneys will explain how the fee works when a final settlement is reached. There are often some expenses included with the fee, but rarely does a case fail to qualify for a contingency arrangement in personal injury cases. Generally, if there is no recovery, then no contingency fee is owed.
Cases that have a good chance of going to trial may be difficult and require true expertise in the trial phase, so it is very important to choose the right attorney when a trial could be the result of a claim.
Thanks to our friends and co-contributors from Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their added insight into finding the right personal injury attorney.