6 QUESTION TO ASK YOUR POTENTIAL LAWYER
If you have been hurt, in a car accident, injured, or find yourself in a situation where you may need the legal advice of a personal injury lawyer, keep these points in mind during your search for representation. Lawyers will often provide a free or very low-cost consultation to discuss the details of your situation and give you an opportunity to ask some basic questions about the attorney. This meeting should not only help you decide whether to go forward with a lawyer in general, but also whether you should proceed with this lawyer.
If you later decide to hire the lawyer, you will go into a more detailed discussion of your case and ask more specific questions along the way. You’ll want to have a list of questions in mind to ask during the meeting. You should feel comfortable enough asking questions that relate to the lawyer’s expertise, experience, fees, special knowledge, and management of the case.
- How long have you practiced law? At a minimum, you’ll want to know about the lawyer’s experience and whether the lawyer is a veteran or beginner attorney, for instance.
- What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to personal injury, auto/bike/bus accidents, social security benefits, veterans’ benefits, etc? You’ll also want to know about a lawyer’s experience and how much of the attorney’s practice is devoted to topic area your legal issue falls within. For example, if you need help with an adoption case, you may wish to seek a family law lawyer who has worked on, well, adoption cases.
- Who is your typical client? This is an important, but often-overlooked question. For example, if you are an individual with a particular legal problem, but the attorney your meeting with represents only corporations, this may not be the best lawyer for you.
- How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine? Now is not the time to be shy. Ask about the attorney’s track record, such as the number of cases won or settled, for example.
- What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case? This can be important in two ways. First, if you are seeking an amicable divorce, for example, but the attorney is known to “go for the kill” in divorce cases, the attorney may not be the right one for you. Similarly, if you’re looking for an aggressive attorney to handle an upcoming corporate merger, for example, you’ll want someone who isn’t afraid to push the envelope, so to speak.
- How will you let me know what’s happening with my case? Communication is key when working with a lawyer. Ask the lawyer how often and under what circumstances you will hear from him or her. You’ll want to know how your case is coming along and about other important dates.
While the answers to questions you ask, your lawyer will vary widely, it is important to keep in mind that nothing should be taken as a guarantee. Instead, these questions should give you general knowledge of a specific lawyer’s experience and skill-level, and whether the lawyer is a good fit for you.
In Need of Legal Representation? Call Now!
If you are looking for a Lawyer for your personal injury, car accident, social security claim, or veteran benefits case, consider the attorneys at Rob Levine and Associates. Our team is available 24/7 to help you. Contact us at 888.533.7507
