Perhaps you’ve had a slip-and-fall accident, been in a car crash, or another personal injury, and now you’re shopping around for a Virginia personal injury attorney. Doing so can be daunting. You may have dozens of local lawyers to pick from, and your choice of attorney could make or break your case.
If you’re searching for the right attorney, ask these five questions before saying, “Let’s do this.”
1. Do I Have a Winnable Case?
No matter how angry you are at the person who injured you, not every case is a slam dunk. For example, if you’re partially at fault for a car crash because you were speeding, you won’t be able to seek compensation for your damages. That’s because Virginia’s pure contributory negligence rule states that you’re barred from recovery if you are even 1% at fault.
When speaking with a lawyer, ask them to tell it to you straight — what are the chances of winning your case? A good lawyer will answer honestly. They won’t say you’re likely to win if that isn’t true.
2. How Experienced Are You With Similar Cases?
All lawyers have to start somewhere, but you don’t want a green attorney in your corner when the stakes are high. You want someone who’s experienced and has a high success rate when it comes to winning cases like yours.
Ask the Virginia personal injury attorney to describe similar cases they’ve handled and the outcomes. A reputable lawyer will also happily provide client testimonials showcasing their attorney experience.
3. What Level of Involvement Will You Expect From Me?
Some lawyers don’t mind and even prefer handling your entire case by themselves from start to finish. Others will want more involvement on your end. For example, your lawyer might want to regularly consult with you about your opinion on how the case is proceeding.
Choose a lawyer whose expected level of involvement meshes with yours.
4. What Should I Expect in the Way of Communication?
Once you’ve hired your attorney, you don’t want to be left in the dark. Ask the attorney when and how they prefer to communicate with you. Some lawyers might want to call you every few days with updates, while others may be fine with emailing you once per week.
5. What’s Your Fee Structure?
All lawyers charge different rates, but regardless of rate, the vast majority of attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t have to pay the attorney unless they win your case. Typically, contingency fees are 33% to 40% of your settlement, although it may be possible to negotiate a lower rate. Ask the lawyer if they’re open to negotiation for your case.
Additionally, ask about out-of-pocket costs. These include witness costs, medical file retrieval fees, and court filing fees.
More Questions To Ask Your Virginia Personal Injury Attorney
The above questions are a good starting point, but don’t stop there. Here are a few more that you might want to ask your potential lawyer:
- Are you willing to take my case to trial if it doesn’t settle?
- Do you have references I can speak to?
- How aggressive are you when it comes to negotiating with the insurance company?
- Will you personally handle my case, or will you pass it off to another attorney or associate?
Have More Questions? Contact Geoff McDonald & Associates
If you’re still looking for the right Virginia personal injury attorney, consider your search over with Geoff McDonald & Associates. Our attorneys have proudly served Virginia clients for more than two decades. Reach out to us at 804-888-8888 or contact us online for a free consultation.