If you were injured in a personal injury accident, you are probably swimming in a sea of questions. What do I do next? Should I file a legal claim? Can I recover compensation? The first step in getting those questions answered – and possibly recovering money damages – is to meet with a personal injury lawyer.
But before you choose to hire a personal injury lawyer, you should make sure to ask him or her the following questions:
• How much experience do you have with my type of case? It is important that you hire a personal injury lawyer who has experience with your specific type of case. Accordingly, you should inquire about the specific types of cases that the lawyer has handled, whether workplace accidents, auto accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, toxic torts, or other type of case.
• What is your caseload? While you want a lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable, you don’t want a lawyer who is too busy to handle your case with the level of attention that you deser
ve. You should inquire about how many cases the lawyer handles at any given time and make sure to find out about his or her communication policy, such as how quickly you can expect responses to your phone calls or emails.
• What are your legal fees? Most personal injury lawyers, including those at Ankin Law Office, represent clients under a contingency fee arrangement whereby the lawyer collects a portion of any settlement or judgment. In other words, you won’t pay unless you win your case. It is important to confirm that the lawyer does, in fact, use a contingency fee arrangement and to inquire about whether the client will be charged for incidentals, such as court filing fees, postage, and copy costs.
• What are the applicable claim deadlines? Each cause of action has a statute of limitations that dictates the time limits on when a claim can be filed. It is important to ask about the applicable statute of limitations for your particular type of case so that you don’t lose your right to file a claim.
• How much do you think that I can recovery? No attorney can make promises or guarantees of recovery, but he or she should be able to give you an estimate of what your claim might be worth in light of the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Understanding the range of what your claim might be worth at the outset can help you determine whether to accept an insurance settlement or file a lawsuit.
• What information do I need to provide? In order to file a claim, your lawyer will need certain information from you, such as employment information, medical records, and accident reports. The sooner you know what information the lawyer will need from you, the sooner you can begin gathering this information so that the claim can be filed in a timely manner.
Contact an Personal Injury Lawyer
The personal injury lawyers at Ankin Law Office, LLC are dedicated to helping accident victims in Chicago, the surrounding communities, and throughout Illinois obtain maximum financial recovery for their injuries and damages. If you have been injured in a personal injury accident, contact our office at (800) 442-6546 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you protect your rights and get maximum financial recovery through a possible personal injury lawsuit.
