If you are injured in an accident at work, in your car, or in any other way here in New Jersey, you are going to want to get the best representation possible. Hiring the right personal injury law firm can be the key to getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries. This is why it is vital to get the answers to five major questions before you retain a personal injury attorney to represent you in your claim. Here are five questions you should ask before you sign a retainer agreement.
1. What is your specialization?
Any attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey can represent someone in a personal injury lawsuit. There is no special license or bar examination that a lawyer needs to take before doing so. This is why you find so many general practice attorneys handling personal injury cases. But do you want to leave the outcome of your case up to someone who doesn’t have the knowledge and experience you need? A lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases will understand all of the nuances that come with these types of cases. By hiring a specialist, you are getting represented by someone who has stayed up to date on the specific case law that applies to your claim.
2. Who will be handling the case?
Many people hire personal injury lawyers based on their name, but soon find out that the person actually handling their case is someone different. This is especially true of large law firms. You may have your initial meeting with a partner, only to find out later on that the person doing all of the work on your case is a paralegal, while the lawyer showing up to all of your vital depositions and court hearings is a young associate. You should find out beforehand who will be responsible for your case. This will include who you will be talking to when you communicate with the firm.
3. What is the firm’s reputation and track record?
You need to find out if the firm has a good reputation and track record. While past performance is not an indicator of future success, it can give you an idea of whether the firm is successful with your types of cases. You should find out if the firm has handled your type of case before, and what the results were. What percentage of cases did they win? How much did they collect from defendants and insurance companies? Finding out the success rate will give you a sense of whether you can get adequate compensation for your injuries if you choose the firm.
4. Does the firm have trial experience?
The majority of personal injury cases result in an out of court settlement, often with an insurance company. Nevertheless, a number of cases prove impossible to settle, which will result in the case being decided in court. If the firm rarely goes to court, it may have a reputation as being too quick to settle. Having an attorney with actual trial experience is a benefit, since it shows the other side that you are not afraid to take your case to trial. Having a personal injury lawyer with trial experience can actually lead to a better settlement for you.
5. What are the fees and does your firm offer a free consultation?
Many firms actually charge for a consultation, which can leave you out of pocket just searching for the right lawyer to represent you. This is why we offer a free consultation, allowing you to get all of your questions answered before you commit to having us represent you.
It is important that you also find out the fee structure with your attorney. While most personal injury firms take cases on a contingent fee basis, there are those who actually charge a fee for their services win or lose. When you enter into a contingent fee arrangement, you often only have to cover court costs, with the attorney only getting paid a percentage of the settlement or judgment collected on your behalf.
If you have been injured in an accident in New Jersey, call our firm for a free consultation
Whether you have been injured on the job, through medical malpractice, in a car accident or in some other way, the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Cassidy Law Firm will give you the representation you deserve with your claim.