Selecting a personal injury lawyer can be confusing. What questions should you ask when you call an injury lawyer? Do you even need a lawyer? What qualities should you look for in a law firm? Where should you begin your search for the best injury lawyer for your case? Lawyers are not one size fits all, and the best fit for you is going to be different than it would be for someone else.
Considerations before calling an injury lawyer
Before you start randomly calling personal injury lawyers, ask yourself these questions:
- What do I most need help with after my accident? Is it getting my medical bills paid? Is it dealing with the insurance company? Is it figuring out what to do first? For many people, it is all of the above and then some.
- Do I feel more comfortable in one-on-one relationships or would I rather have multiple people working with me on my case?
- Was my body hurt or am I only requiring help with car repairs (in which case, most injury lawyers probably can’t help).
- Who do I think was at fault for causing the accident? What does my police report say?
- What kind of injuries do I have, according to my doctors?
The answers to these questions can help guide a conversation with a prospective injury lawyer.
Questions for an Injury Lawyer
The questions below are just suggestions. Go into any phone call knowing how you wish to be helped.
- Do you think that you can add value to my claim?
- Does it sound like the accident was not my fault, based on Illinois law?
- If I hire your law firm, who will be working on my case?
- Do you do anything other than personal injury cases?
- (If you speak another language): Does the attorney speak my language or will a secretary have to translate for us?
- Do you offer appointments by zoom, if that is convenient for me?
- Will I get a written fee agreement spelling out how you are paid and what costs I am responsible for?
- Will you send me a client handbook at the beginning of my case so that I know what to expect?
- What is your communication policy, to avoid phone tag?
- Do you handle cases in the county where I had my accident?
- Are you actually located in the State of Illinois or is someone in your office just licensed there?
- What technology do you use?
Beyond the Questions
Selecting a personal injury attorney is not just about what you should ask but also about your comfort level. Your lawyer is someone you will be working very closely with for a while, as personal injury cases take time when they are done correctly. Not all lawyers are the same – not by a long shot- and you should have an idea of what personality type you are looking for. Of course, you will want a lawyer who is licensed in Illinois and who is very good at what they do, this goes without saying. I encourage you to talk to the actual lawyer who will work on your case, before you hire a law firm. This means speaking directly with the lawyer and not just their staff person. This will help you both get a sense as to whether or not you are the right fit for each other. You will be looking for someone who makes you feel at ease. If the lawyer cannot spend time with you on the phone before you become a client, this could mean that it will be hard to get their attention even after you become a client.
Tips for selecting an Injury Attorney:
1) Professional Setting: If you are meeting your potential lawyer at the local Starbucks because he or she only works from home and has a PO Box- they are likely either just getting started or may not have the resources to handle your case professionally. That is not to say that they are not the best lawyer for you, but be okay with it- ask them why you are not meeting at their office, maybe they are part-time? If you are at their office, is the office organized? That is important. If I were going to hire an attorney and saw a messy desk and cluttered piles all over the floor, I would wonder about their ability to find MY file.
2) Staff: Is there a live person answering their phones? If your attorney’s solution to a receptionist is voicemail during business hours, you may have a very hard time getting in touch.
3) Information: Ask to see articles he or she has written. Do they provide good information?
4) While lawyers are not allowed to proclaim themselves “Best Illinois Attorney” or anything like that, still- you ought to look BEYOND the silly slogans- often found on their website next to a picture of a gavel or a courthouse -that say things like:
- “Aggressive”
- “Free Consultation”
- “Talk to a Lawyer Immediately!”
- “Dependable”
- “Experience & Integrity”
- “Trusted Attorney in Chicago”
- “Protecting Your Rights”
- “High-Quality Legal Services”
What are they really saying? Not much. Talk to the lawyer to get beyond the slogans.
5) Experience. We all have to start somewhere but it’s called the “practice” of law for a reason. I am very grateful to have more than a few years under my belt (I graduated from law school in 1996).
6) Testimonials. Check out reviews on sites like Google. Every lawyer is going to have glowing reviews on their website, but what are others saying about him or her online?
The insurance adjuster is not looking out for you
Do not rely on the insurance company or let them tell you that you do not need a lawyer. While it is true that you might not need a lawyer, the insurance company is never going to tell you to talk to one. This is actually the last thing that they want. Insurance companies act like they want to help you, but nothing can be further from the truth. They want to get rid of you cheaply and quickly after an accident. Once people start to sense this, they often begin looking for a personal injury lawyer. Accident victims often confuse the role of the insurance adjuster with the role of an attorney. A good personal injury lawyer will tell you the truth about your situation. The attorney’s job is to help you, whether in a consultation or after you hire them. An insurance adjuster’s job is to help the insurance company hold on to their money. Do you see how those two positions can be at odds with each other? Do not rely on an insurance adjuster to give you legal advice, to guide you, or to fairly assess your case for you. If you think that you might need to talk to a personal injury lawyer, you probably do.
If you were hurt in an Illinois accident that was not your fault, give us a call. Our number is 630 250-8813. We handle cases in the Chicago area and are located in Elgin, Illinois.