Choosing a personal injury attorney can feel a bit like going on a first date: will you be compatible? Will you see things eye to eye? Luckily, preparing questions ahead of your initial free consultation can help you make a more informed decision (and reduce your jitters)! Our San Antonio personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw have compiled a list of questions to ask your personal injury lawyer before hiring one. Read on to learn how you’ll know if your potential San Antonio attorney is “the one.”
1. What Kinds of Cases Do You Usually Handle?Some lawyers are general practitioners, meaning they handle multiple kinds of cases in various practice areas. While these types of lawyers are technically qualified to handle your personal injury case, it is a very bad idea to choose a lawyer who mostly drafts wills and contracts to give you personal injury guidance.
Unlike general practice lawyers, personal injury attorneys are specialized practitioners of the law who are uniquely qualified to handle personal injury cases.
And unlike general practice lawyers, personal injury attorneys have:
It’s crucial to choose a lawyer who knows what they’re doing, and beginner attorneys won’t have the knowledge that comes with years of experience. Ask any potential attorney how long they have been practicing law, and how long their firm has been in existence.
3. Do You Have Trial Experience?Not all attorneys have trial experience, so this question is very important! If your case ends up going to trial, you’ll need an attorney who’s prepared to skillfully present your case in a courtroom.
4. What are Your Fees?This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to make sure you understand how your lawyer calculates fees – and ensure you are able to afford their services. Ask your potential attorney whether or not you will be required to pay if there is no recovery. You can also ask about payment options and contingency fees. Finally, make sure to discuss expenses in addition to fees so there are no surprises later!
5. How Much Time Will You be Able to Devote to My Case?Most lawyers belong to firms with paralegals and junior associates. You’ll want to ask your attorney about who will be working on your case. It’s also a good idea to ask about the level of experience that these assistants have with cases like yours.
It’s also a good idea to ask how often and how you will receive updates on your case – you’ll want to know ahead of time how your lawyer prefers to communicate with you.
Why Carabin Shaw?Now that you know what questions to ask during your consultation, you might still be left with one final question: “How do I find the best personal injury lawyer near me?” As an established personal injury law firm in Texas with hundreds of five-star client reviews, Carabin Shaw employs only the best personal injury attorneys in San Antonio.
Our San Antonio accident attorneys have more than 200 years of combined experience in personal injury law, and we’ve recovered more than $500 million for our clients. If you’d like to find out what we can offer you, your initial consultation is free. So call our San Antonio office today at 210-222-2288, and let us help you get your life back on track.