You or a loved one is hurt, injured, or suffering. You need legal advice to help navigate the seemingly endless maze of doctors, hospital bills, and insurance claims. But how do you know which personal injury attorney will work to help you get the help you need and the care you deserve?
In this post, we share three things you should ask a personal injury lawyer before you sign any paperwork.
First, let’s look at what is considered a personal injury.
A personal injury is any injury to your body, mind, or emotional well-being. Often, we use the term “pain and suffering” to refer to both physical pain and emotional stress caused by a personal injury. A personal injury does not include any damage to property (like cars, housing, or personal possessions).
Often, most personal injuries arise from car accidents but can also occur from negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct (Source: ABA). Personal injuries are also caused by work accidents, bicycle accidents, boating accidents, pedestrian accidents, tripping and falling, product defect accidents, personal assaults, or medical/dental negligence.
If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury, it’s best to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Below are the questions you should ask an attorney during the first consultation.
Are you from Reno or Las Vegas?
Whether you are injured in a car accident on I-80 on your way home from work or slip and fall while on the job, you want to work with a local personal injury attorney who can relate to you, knows the area well, and is a member of your community. An attorney living and working in Las Vegas, which is three times the size of Reno and over 400 miles away, may not be familiar with the area or intersection where your accident or injury occurred. They may not know the local courts or have experience with the judges who will eventually preside over your case.
When you or your loved one’s health and recovery are concerned, it’s crucial to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who is local, accessible, and will work closely with you throughout your case.
How many trials have you been involved in?
Experience matters when it comes to personal injury cases. You and your family can’t afford to lose a settlement that will cover large insurance bills, time off work, or a lifelong disability. When interviewing potential attorneys, it’s critical to ask them how many personal injury trials they’ve been involved in and how many they have tried in court. Fighting for a personal injury client in court is worlds away from drafting up an agreed-upon settlement from behind a desk.
In order to get the maximum settlement check, judgment check, or structured settlement, you need to work with a personal injury attorney who is well-versed in personal injury cases and presenting those cases in a courtroom. You need to work with a passionate attorney who will fight for you.
How many years have you worked within Insurance Companies?
We’ve all experienced how complex insurance can be – whether it’s signing up for the right healthcare plan, understanding what is covered on your auto insurance plan, or trying to get a human on the phone at your insurance company. In personal injury cases, multiple insurance companies can be involved, making the process even tougher to navigate.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer who has experience working within the insurance industry means they understand the ins and outs of how insurance companies work. That’s a huge advantage over an attorney who does not have insurance company experience. You should check that your attorney not only has that experience but how much experience. Ask them how many years they have worked in the insurance industry.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you or someone you know has suffered a personal injury, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will guide you through the legal process and ensure your recovery is as smooth and painless as possible.
For more information, contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Coulter Harsh Law today.
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