No matter the facts of your case, you need a skilled personal injury lawyer to take things further. A quick search on Google will help in finding injury attorneys in Orange County, but as potential client, you have to do your homework before hiring one. California is an at-fault state, which means you have to file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurer, or can file a lawsuit. When you meet one of Orange County personal injury lawyers, here are questions you need to ask.
1. How long have you been working as a personal injury attorney?
The scope of personal injury laws is huge. The complications of a car accident claim can be very different than that of nursing home abuse case. Find an attorney who has niche experience with claims and lawsuits similar to yours. You don’t have to be wary about asking about their top cases, settlements, and landmark lawsuits. As needed, you can ask for references too.
2. What is your assessment of my case?
While you may believe that you have suffered enough losses and deserve a considerable financial compensation, things may turn out otherwise. That’s one of the key reasons why you must speak to an attorney in the first place. They can give a fair and unbiased assessment of what your case is worth and if you should pursue the matter. Keep in mind that your attorney is on your side, and they will want you to get a fair settlement.
3. Will you work on a contingency basis? What about other costs?
Many personal injury lawyers in California do work on a contingency basis, but that also depends on many things, such as the expected compensation and complication of the cases. If a lawyer is working on a contingency fee, they will not charge for their work, until they win. However, there could be other costs, such as investigation and court expenses, which must be paid. Ask the personal injury attorney if they can advance or manage these costs. Eventually, they will adjust the same with the settlement.
Also, keep in mind that majority of personal injury lawsuits in California do get settled through negotiations. However, if a case has to go to trial, your lawyer should be prepared for the worst-case scenario and build the claim accordingly. Do ask the contingency fee of the lawyer in advance, which should exceed 40%.