A personal injury lawyer helps people who have been hurt, usually because of someone else’s negligence – physical or emotional injuries. If you work with a personal injury attorney, he or she will pursue a claim against the negligent person or company. Your attorney will seek a financial settlement or verdict to compensate you for your injuries. If you’re wondering how to hire a personal injury lawyer, look no further – we’ve put together some tips to help you get started.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Some of the most common types of personal injury cases include:
Vehicle Accidents
These cases involve car, truck, motorcycle, or boat accidents. A motor vehicle accident lawyer seeks to prove that the other driver should be held responsible for their client’s injury-related medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress.
Medical Malpractice
When a doctor or other medical professional makes a mistake or does not do something they should have done, which harms a patient, the patient may sue the medical professional. In some cases, they can also sue the hospital or clinic. A medical malpractice lawyer seeks to prove that the medical provider caused the harm by not acting according to the standards of their profession.
Wrongful Death
If someone dies because of someone else’s negligence or malpractice, their family members may be able to sue the negligent party for wrongful death.
Defective Products
Suppose a person is hurt by using a product that was not properly designed or manufactured or did not contain a necessary warning. In that case, the injured person may be able to sue the manufacturer or other companies involved. A defective product lawyer (sometimes called a product liability lawyer) must prove that the product was unreasonably dangerous or that the company was negligent.
How to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer: 5 Questions You Should Ask
If you or a loved one were injured or harmed by someone else’s actions, how do you find the right personal injury lawyer to hire for your case? Most lawyers will provide a free consultation. When you meet them, these are some questions you can ask:
1. How much experience do you have practicing personal injury law?
Make sure the lawyer you choose has substantial experience handling personal injury cases on behalf of injured people. A lawyer who, for example, only represents insurance companies or only practices criminal law might not be a good fit.
2. Have you handled cases like mine?
The lawyer should have experience working with people who have been injured in situations similar to yours, whether that’s a vehicle accident, medical malpractice, or harm from a defective product.
3. How much do you charge?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they won’t charge you legal fees unless you win your case. At that point, their fee will be a percentage of the money damages you receive. Make sure you understand how the lawyer’s fee structure works.
4. How much is my case worth?
Although it’s not possible to predict exactly how much you will receive if you win your case, the lawyer should be able to give you a range and explain what factors will go into making up the outcome.
5. Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases settle and do not go to trial. The negligent party’s insurance company sometimes refuses to reach a fair settlement agreement. When that happens, you need an experienced trial lawyer who knows how to win your case with a jury. You should pick a lawyer with the experience and willingness to go to court if necessary. This won’t only help you at the end of the case, but having an experienced trial lawyer on the case will increase the amount insurance companies are willing to pay and enhance the settlement value.
The personal injury lawyers at Garmey Law would be glad to answer your questions. Call us at (207) 481-4683 for a free consultation or fill out our contact form.
