The most important factor that could affect how your personal injury case turns out is selecting the correct lawyer to represent you. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a particular personal injury lawyer in Ontario. Such an evaluation might help you determine whether a particular lawyer is suited for you. It can also help you consider factors of your personal injury case that you’ve not previously thought of.
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, ask these 15 questions:
1. How long have you practiced as a personal injury lawyer?
Do not be hesitant to ask how long they have been working in this profession. Remember that you are looking for an expert. Consider it similar to visiting a doctor when you are ill. Many individuals may have ideas on how to help, but you want the expert. It’s also okay to inquire about their success rate in addition to years of experience.
2. Do I have a valid case? If so, what kind of compensation could I be eligible for?
It is hard to know the worth of your case in the beginning, but it is still possible and vital to have a thoughtful discussion about its advantages and disadvantages. Insight into the kinds of losses you might anticipate, as well as their potential calculation, should also be provided by the lawyer. Any personal injury lawyer who comes forward and tells you, without having done further analysis on your case, that your case is worth a great deal of money is more interested in the money than in providing you with the best representation.
3. Will you be the person managing my case on a daily basis?
It is essential for you to get a lawyer that makes you comfortable. You also need to verify that they have handled similar cases to yours within the niche of personal injury. Of course, it is always wiser to set up consultation appointments with prospective lawyers.
4. Can you take cases to trial?
Trials for personal injury claims are uncommon. In the event that negotiations with the insurance company prove futile, your lawyer should be ready to go to trial with your claim. Look for a trial lawyer in your city who has handled court cases involving claims.
5. Have you ever dealt with personal injury cases like mine?
Every incident has unique circumstances that are specific to them. Therefore, to make sure you receive the just compensation, find a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling cases similar to yours—whether it be a car accident, a slip and fall, or malpractice.
6. Is it possible to verify your credentials?
It is common for lawyers to be excellent self-promoters, sharing numerous positive endorsements and highlighting accolades or other distinctions they have won. While some of these honours may be well-deserved, others might just be ambiguous. Make inquiries about the origins of any honours or accolades a lawyer claims to have received. The only ones that are truly useful are those that come via a “peer review” procedure.
7. What is the success rate of your trials?
Find out the percentage of cases that go to trial compared to cases that are won. Verify whether your lawyer has won cases in front of juries before. For the best chance of establishing the strongest case against the defendant, a personal injury lawyer should approach every case as though it were going to trial.
8. What difficulties or problems do you anticipate with my case?
No matter how straightforward your case appears, few things are ever that easy. The intricacy of the legal system and personal injury lawsuits implies that problems may occasionally arise. If your prospective lawyer answers this question with the most optimistic attitude, then that is a cause for concern. Professional personal injury lawyers know all the legal requirements of a case and can always foresee all the deficiencies and obstacles and give a reasonable solution.
9. What’s the extent of your client communication?
When dealing with a personal injury case, communication is key. Nothing concerning your claim should be kept secret from you by your lawyer. Find out the lawyer’s communication policies and the typical time it takes for a call to be returned.
10. What is the true value of my case?
Get an estimate of the potential compensation for your case. This will aid in your negotiations with adjusters for insurance claims. At the very least, your lawyer should be able to provide a list of the potential damages you may be entitled to claim.
11. Should I lose my case, will I still have to pay out of pocket?
Any fees that you will have to pay out of pocket should be made clear to you by the lawyer you choose. Ask if hiring an expert, going to trial, filing papers, and other actions will cost you money if the lawyer cannot recover the money for you.
12. When would my case be resolved?
Ideally, the representative you choose should be in a position to give you an approximate time within which your claim can be closed. Personal injury litigation takes time, and it may take from a few months to over one year to complete.
13. What is my responsibility in this case?
It can help to know how much of an involvement the lawyer will require from you in the case. While some legal practices offer full services and will handle everything on your behalf, others might collaborate with you to resolve your issue.
14. Will you communicate with the insurance company on my behalf?
Insurance companies could be somewhat frightening. Their intention is to make the least amount of payments feasible. They can be approached on your behalf by your personal injury lawyer, who will know how to manage them. By doing this, you’ll avoid unintentional language errors that could undermine your claim.
15. What makes you the best personal injury lawyer for me?
A lawyer may use this direct question as an opportunity to briefly describe their background, style of practice and unique selling points. It enables you to assess their level of assurance and dedication to your case.
Conclusion
Finding the appropriate lawyer after a personal injury is extremely important. The aim is obviously to get the highest compensation possible, and being aware of the questions to ask a personal injury lawyer can help you do that.
To speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer, contact MacIsaac Gow LLP. Get in touch with us right now to find out more about how we can help you with your personal injury lawsuit.
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