If you have been injured in an accident, whether it is a car accident, slip-and-fall accident, or truck accident, you have the right to file a lawsuit for your injuries in Georgia. Under this personal injury lawsuit, you could recover compensation for your injuries. However, you must prove how the negligent party caused the accident and the injuries you have suffered.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit is often more complex. Instead, it may require months of Investigation from your attorney. That is why having an experienced attorney will make your legal process smoother. There are some key traits to look out for when hiring a personal injury attorney in Georgia.
Personal injury attorneys offer case evaluations, during which you can sit with your potential future lawyer and discuss the details of your case. During this time, you also have the opportunity to get to know the attorney more and discuss what you want. Ensure you evaluate their communication skills and the legal resources they have to take on your case.
A case consultation is one of the most important meetings you could have with your attorney. During a case evaluation, there are some key points that you should look out for. Below are six questions you should ask a personal injury attorney during a free consultation.
1. Have You Handled Cases Similar To Mine In the Past?
When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, experience is one of the most important traits that your attorney should have. Make sure that your attorney has taken on an accident case similar to yours in the past. This will determine whether they are qualified to take on your lawsuit. You should ask them how that lawsuit panned out and whether they have client testimonials.
Hiring an attorney who has handled an accident similar to yours in the past could increase the likelihood of you getting the compensation you need. In addition to their experience, they most likely will have the legal resources necessary to handle your case.
2. What Are Your Fees?
Attorneys have different fee arrangements depending on the type of work that they do for you. Personal injury attorneys usually have contingency fee agreements. Contingency fee agreements mean you do not have to pay the attorney’s costs upfront. Instead, the attorney will take a percentage of the compensation they win for you at the end of your case.
But keep in mind that not all contingency fee agreements are the same. The agreement usually depends on how much work the attorney has done for your case. For example, if your lawsuit requires more investigation and takes longer than usual, they may charge a higher percentage. Make sure you understand the percentage amount at the time of signing.
3. What Can You Do For My Case?
After discussing the specifics of your case, it is essential to hear from your attorney instead to see what they could do for you.
For example, some steps an attorney could take for you include:
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Hiring medical experts to determine your injuries
- Hiring accident experts to determine how the accident happened
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Handling all lawsuit paperwork
The above are just some general steps a personal injury attorney could take for your case; however, your case may require other specific steps.
4. How Often Will You Communicate With Me?
To many clients, communication is key. They value constant communication from their attorneys regarding any updates to their cases. No client wants to feel ignored, so you should ask your potential attorney how and what they will communicate. If you want to know all updates regarding your case, let the attorney know in advance.
5. How Long Will My Case Take?
This is usually a complex question for any attorney to answer. Several factors go into the length of a lawsuit. For example, if there are multiple parties involved, the investigation process may be longer than expected. In other cases, the other parties may not be as communicative and try to drag their feet as long as possible.
To determine how long your case may take, we recommend that you discuss all details of your case upfront, including any potential parties involved in the accident.
6. How Much Could I Recover for My Claim?
An attorney could give you a general idea of how much you could recover for your lawsuit or claim. But for a more specific answer, your attorney will have to investigate the cause of the accident. Working with medical experts could help your attorney determine what type of injuries you have suffered and what future medical assistance you may need. For example, if you have suffered permanent catastrophic injuries like a traumatic brain injury, you may require more compensation for future medical care.
An accident expert may also be essential when determining the cause of the accident. Sometimes, more than one party is responsible for causing the accident. This will then determine the amount of compensation you could receive.
Under Georgia comparative negligence laws, an injured party could still recover compensation as long as they were less than 50% at fault for the accident. This means that if they were 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover compensation for their injuries. This percentage of fault is determined after the attorney has done a full investigation of the case. The percentage of fault could reduce your likelihood of recovering all damages.
Contact Our Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The above are just some questions you should ask your attorney during your free case consultation. Our personal injury lawyers offer complimentary case evaluations so clients and potential attorneys can get to know one another personally. We understand that each client has different priorities, and we want to make those priorities clear from the first meeting; contact us to get started.
If you have been involved in an accident, ensure you have the right attorney. Call Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers today at (770) 900-9000 to schedule a free consultation for your lawsuit.