If you are considering filing a personal injury claim in Texas, one of the most important steps to take is hiring the right personal injury lawyer in Austin to represent you. Not all personal injury attorneys are the same. The attorney you select can make a major difference to the outcome of your case and your legal experience as a whole. Take the time to research your options and ask the following questions to ensure the legal representative you choose is the right fit.
Do You Handle My Type of Case?
One of the first things to check is whether the attorney has experience handling personal injury cases like yours. Look at the law firm’s practice area list to see if your type of accident is included. Ask if the lawyer has handled cases similar to yours before. Experience in your practice area is critical, as it means the lawyer knows how your type of case works and understands Texas’s related laws.
How Many Years Have You Practiced Personal Injury Law?
Ideally, you want an attorney who has multiple years of experience representing clients in personal injury claims in the State of Texas. This can ensure that he or she knows what a personal injury case needs to succeed and has connections with local courts, experts, and investigators to strengthen your claim. Ask how many years the attorney you are meeting with has been practicing personal injury law.
What Is Your Success Rate?
While past success does not guarantee future positive case outcomes, it can show you that the attorney has what it takes to win cases and recover compensation for his or her clients. Ask about the law firm’s success rate and past case results. Your lawyer should be willing and able to go to trial on your behalf, if necessary, to obtain maximum compensation for your losses.
Will You Be the Person Handling My Case?
Some mill-type law firms arrange initial consultations with their lead attorneys only to hand cases off to junior attorneys, assistants, and paralegals once a client signs a contract. Check ahead to make sure this will not happen during your case.
Ask the attorney you speak with if he or she will personally be the one handling your case. Make sure the attorney gives you multiple methods of contact or communication so that you can check in on your case frequently.
How Long Will My Case Take to Resolve?
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for personal injury cases in Texas. Each case has a unique timeframe based on the circumstances, such as the complexity of the case and the severity of the victim’s injuries. Asking this question during your meeting with an attorney can give you a better idea of what to expect from the legal process. It can inform you of how much time the attorney currently has to spend on your case and when the law firm will be able to get to it.
What Are Your Fees?
Ask if the personal injury lawyer handles cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any attorney’s fees out of pocket. This fee arrangement comes with $0 in fees upfront. You will only pay the lawyer if and when he or she wins your personal injury case. Then, you will pay the fee as a percentage of the settlement or judgment award won.
If you are ready to discuss your legal needs with an attorney in Texas, contact FVF Law to schedule a free consultation.
