What Questions Should I Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer? When making an injury claim, it’s imperative to choose the right personal injury
lawyer for you. In addition to reading their reviews, looking online for what rewards or accolades they’ve
received and asking acquaintances for referrals, you’ll want to meet the lawyer before retaining their services.
When you meet, there are a lot of questions you should ask to make sure they’re the law firm that’s going to really
fight for you. At Burger Law, our personal injury lawyers
serve the injured in St. Louis, Chicago, and throughout Missouri and Illinois. Call us today at or fill
out our online form for a free consultation.
If you were injured by another’s negligence, see how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.
8 Questions You Should Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Whether you meet with them in person, talk over the phone or a combination of the two, there are several questions
you can ask to get a feel for if a lawyer is the right person to take on your case:
What are your fees? Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means they take a percentage
of your final compensation as their payment, but only if they win your claim and only after you’re compensated.
The benefit of a contingency fee is a lawyer will only take on the case if they believe they can win and believe
they can add substantial value to it. You’ll want to know your attorney believes in your claim and that you’re
covered if they don’t come to a successful resolution. Also, make sure to ask them who pays for associated court
costs and filing fees.
How much do you think my claim is worth? A good personal injury lawyer will be honest with you about the
value of your claim, and what factors may hurt or help your case. You don’t want to pick a lawyer who promises
millions of dollars for a relatively mild whiplash injury, or one who thinks an accident that resulted in
permanent disability is worth just $10,000. Ask details about how similar cases often settle, what may increase
your settlement and what factors may lower your final compensation.
Have you won cases like mine before? There are a lot of good lawyers out there with good intentions. But,
if they don’t have experience in your specific type of claim, they may not be the best person to get you the
maximum compensation you deserve. If you have a product
liability claim, you probably don’t want someone who’s only taken on car accidents and dog bites. You
need to know that they’re familiar with the laws applicable to your case, and that they’re capable of taking on
large corporations who spend a lot of money on personal injury defense firms.
Have you won cases like mine at trial before? Some lawyers may have a great grasp of the law, and
may know how write a settlement demand letter and negotiate with an insurance adjuster. However, going in front of a judge
and jury to argue the merits of your case is a completely different animal. Do they have experience in trial? Do
they know how to prepare for it and are they comfortable in the courtroom? Ask them what trial techniques they
use and examples of difficult cases they’ve won in trial before.
How long will it take for me to get compensation? A good lawyer won’t promise an exact time frame, but
should have a general idea of how long your case will take. Some cases, like medical malpractice claims, take longer because
of the amount of investigation involved. Some simple fender-benders may reach a successful conclusion in as
little as a month or two. You’ll want someone who is realistic and always straightforward with you. If you’re
trying to recover a $2 million
settlement, they shouldn’t tell you your case will be over in a few months.
Will I be able to get in touch with you? Most attorneys are not going to be able to answer their phone
24/7, especially if they’re good at their jobs and are fighting for other clients. Still, you want to know that
they’ll be there to answer your questions when you need them to. Do they have a strong support staff who can
answer the phone in their absence? Do they prioritize client communication, and promptly call you back if you’ve
left a message?
Who will be handling my claim? It’s normal for busy law firms to have paralegals and help with some of
the legwork on claims, and have junior attorneys do most of the work on more straightforward cases. Ask who will
be your contact, and who will be calling you back when you have questions. If the attorney assigned to your case
has less experience, ask what their qualifications are and who will be supervising them. If your claim has to go
to mediation or trial, you’ll want to know someone experienced
and tough is going to be there for you.
Do you have a reference for a client with a case similar to mine? Hiring a lawyer is just like hiring
anybody else. Who better to talk about how they work and do business than the clients they’ve helped before? If
they get the great results they claim to, they shouldn’t have any problem producing a previous client who’s
happy to recommend them.
What is your experience in handling personal injury cases? Inquire about the lawyer’s experience in personal injury law and their track record in obtaining successful outcomes for their clients.
Will you handle my case personally or delegate it to someone else? It’s crucial to know if the lawyer you are consulting with will be personally handling your case or if it will be passed on to another member of their team.
What is your fee structure? Discuss the lawyer’s fee structure and whether they work on a contingency basis, where they only get paid if they win your case. Make sure you understand all fee obligations before you hire an attorney.
What is the estimated timeline for my case? Get an idea of how long the case might take to reach a resolution and what factors can impact the timeline.
How do you communicate with your clients? Find out how frequently the lawyer will update you on the progress of your case and the preferred mode of communication.
What is your strategy for my case? Ask the lawyer about their approach to handling your case and their strategy for achieving a favorable outcome.
Have you handled cases similar to mine? Inquire if the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours and how they were able to achieve successful results.
What are the potential outcomes of my case? Discuss the possible outcomes of your case, including settlement options, trial prospects and the potential compensation you may be entitled to.
At Burger Law, we know this is a difficult time for you, and the last thing you want to do
is put your financial security in the hands of someone you can’t trust or who isn’t qualified. In our 30 years of
experience, we’ve secured over $180 million in verdicts and settlements and have achieved a stellar reputation among
our peers, as seen through our awards, honors and accolades. With
experience in every type of personal injury claim, we offer the experience, tenaciousness and skill of a large firm,
with the personalized touch of a small firm.
Speak to a Missouri and Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Today | Burger Law
We talk to people every day who just want some guidance on the personal injury claim process, or are wondering
if they even have a case. We are always honest with people who come to us for help, and will tell you exactly what
we can do for your claim. For a free case evaluation, call us today at or contact us online.
Consult Our St. Louis Personal Injury Law Firm
If you’ve been injured in the St. Louis area due to someone else’s negligence, Burger Law is ready to help. We will always meet with you for free to:
Assess your legal rights and options
Address concerns
Answer questions
Begin representation at no upfront cost if you choose
Contact us today online or call (314) 500-HURT for a consultation with our St. Louis personal injury attorneys. Let us help you lead your personal injury case and pursue the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait, take action now and secure your legal rights with Burger Law.
Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th … Years of experience: 30 years Location: St. Louis, MO
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