Anytime you are looking to hire a personal injury law firm, it is important to have a consultation with the law firm. A consultation is essentially like an interview between you and a law firm. You are both learning about each other, trying to determine if you want to work together. There are many important questions that you want to ask when having a consultation with a law firm. Here are some of the communication-related questions that you should bring up during this interview.
Are You the Lawyer Who Will Be Handling My Lawsuit?
It is important to understand that some law firms have a lawyer with an opening to sit with you for a consultation. Just because you meet with a lawyer for a consultation does not necessarily mean that they will be the attorney who represents you in the case. The law firm may give the case to another lawyer in the office. As such, you want to ask the lawyer if they will be handling the case or if it gets transferred to someone else. You want to ensure you meet with the lawyer who will be assigned your case before signing a retainer.
What Types of Updates Can I Expect From Your Law Firm?
Chances are, you want to be kept abreast of what is happening in your case. This is not unusual. Many law firms have a system where they update their clients every 30, 60 or even 90 days. They may send out an email with updates or may call you to keep you in the loop. Always ask what types of updates you can expect from a law firm and ensure their answer aligns with the type of communication and updates that you expect from your law firm.
How Soon Will My Calls or Emails Be Returned?
There will come a point in time when you may have a question or need help. While lawyers can get busy, you want to ensure that the law firm you hire for your personal injury case is able to answer the questions you have. Always ask an attorney how soon your phone calls or emails will be returned. Ideally, the law firm should have a deadline, such as all calls are returned within two business days. Also, be sure to ask if the lawyer answers questions and emails, or if their staff, such as paralegals, will be the ones to reach out to you with answers.
What Type of Outcome Do You Expect For My Case?
Lastly, you always want to ask an attorney who is sitting down with you for a consultation what type of outcome they expect for your case. While a lawyer cannot predict the future and tell you exactly how long your case will take to reach a conclusion or how much your case will settle for, they should be able to give you a rough estimate based on cases similar to yours. Asking this question helps you know what type of outcome and resolution you may be able to anticipate for your case, and ensures you and the lawyer have the same general vision for your case.
If you have never had to hire a personal injury attorney before, you may be unsure of what questions you need to ask during a consultation. By asking the right questions, you can hone in on the law firm that is best suited for you. The above questions should be asked to help you find this personal injury law firm that has the best communication style for you.
