3 Important Questions You Should Ask Your Personal Injury Lawyer During Your Initial Consultation

Suffering a personal injury can be intimidating and in many cases, life-changing, especially if you’re unable to return to work. In order to get the compensation you need on the road to recovery, you decided to hire a personal injury lawyer. That’s great! But, what exactly do you ask them to know they’re the right injury lawyer for your case? That’s what we answer below. 

1. Do I Have a Case? 

You may think you have a case, but a lawyer may tell you otherwise. Maybe you’ve already passed the statute of limitations, so filing a claim is no longer feasible. Or, maybe there isn’t enough proof as to what caused your injuries. 

Finding out if you have a case upfront can save you time. When it comes to personal injury cases, there are generally four elements that must be met. 

First, it must be established that the defendant owed you (the plaintiff) a duty of care. Then it must be proven that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to you and that you not only suffered an injury as a result of that breach but the damages you suffered can be compensated. If these elements are met and you’re within the statute of limitations, then you’ll likely have a personal injury case. 

2. Have You Handled Cases Like Mine Before? 

It’s not enough that the lawyer you hire has worked on cases like yours before, but more so, how they handled them. During your initial consultation, find out if any cases went to trial and won. 

Though many personal injury cases end up settling before they ever reach trial, it’s important to know if the lawyer you plan on hiring is willing to take your case to trial to get you the money you deserve. Furthermore, finding out how many times they’ve won in court lets you know that they’re an experienced trial attorney. You should never assume that your lawyer has experience going to trial. Rather, that’s information you should find out during your initial consultation. 

3. How Much Do You Charge? 

It’s important to know how much you’re going to pay for your case. The good news is that many personal injury lawyers work on what’s known as a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t have to pay unless your lawyer recovers compensation for you. 

Most contingency fees are between 20-40%. In New Jersey, personal injury attorneys cannot charge more than 33.33% of the total net earnings. This percentage is deducted from your overall compensation award, so ask your lawyer how much their rate is, so you know what to expect going forward. 

Contact a Cherry Hill Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a personal injury in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at DiTomaso Law represent clients injured because of car accidents, truck accidents, and slips and falls in Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Medford, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-414-0010 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 901 Route 38 East, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002, as well as an office in Philadelphia, PA.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.