Suffering a personal injury at the hands of a negligent party means you may need help from a personal injury lawyer to file a claim. Your personal injury lawyer is someone you will work closely with during the legal process.
Before you hire an attorney, you should ask some critical personal injury law questions to ensure they are the right fit for your needs. The lawyer may also ask you for details about your case to better understand the circumstances surrounding your accident.
What Questions Might A Personal Injury Lawyer Ask You
After an accident, these questions can help your lawyer evaluate your case.
(1) How did the accident happen?
You must let your lawyer know the circumstances of the accident, including when and where it occurred, to assist you in recovering compensation. Make sure you talk to your lawyer about how the accident happened.
You can also include evidence from the scene, such as photos and videos. Your lawyer can examine the images and videos of the accident to determine the weather and road conditions.
(2)What were your injuries?
You should inform your lawyer about the cause of your injuries and the negligent party you believe caused them. Your lawyer needs to know as much as possible about the injuries that you endured during your consultation.
Bring your medical records, such as diagnoses of your injuries from your healthcare providers, prescription expenses, and ongoing rehabilitation costs. If you are experiencing any change in your physical or mental well-being since the accident, you should discuss this with your lawyer.
(3)Were there any witnesses to the accident?
Your claim’s success may depend on your ability to get a recorded statement from key witnesses. Ideally, your lawyer should meet with these witnesses as soon as possible to interview and collect their testimonies.
Witness statements can confirm the other party’s negligence, protect you from liability, authenticate your injuries, and support your personal injury claim.
Questions To Ask Personal Injury Lawyer
Although the potential lawyer has the right to ask important personal injury questions, you can ask the lawyer these common personal injury questions to evaluate whether they have the experience needed to handle your case.
(1) What qualifies as a personal injury?
A personal injury can happen anytime a person, company, or organization causes you harm due to negligence or an intentional act. Your lawyer can discuss the type of personal injury case you have, ranging from a car accident to a wrongful death claim.
(2) How long after an accident can you file a claim/lawsuit?
This question is critical to ensure that you can file your claim within the two-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury. If you discover your injury later, you have one year from the day of the discovery to file a claim.
Your lawyer can work with you to gather evidence, identify liability, and help you file a claim within the statute of limitations.
(3) What kind of compensation can I expect to receive?
When you file a personal injury claim, it includes a request for a certain amount of damages. Your damages may vary depending upon how severe your injuries are and how long they last. The damages can include economic or non-economic damages.
The economic damages in your compensation may involve:
- Medical bills
- Loss of current and future wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property repair or replacement
In addition to economic damages, non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A lawyer can estimate the value of your claim by looking at your medical records, witness testimonies, and other evidence that may be relevant. Many lawyers call on experts to help strengthen your case for damages.
(4) Do I need to hire an attorney, or can I represent myself?
You may represent yourself if your case is straightforward and you agree with everything in your claim. Representing yourself in court can work when you understand the legal process and have time to prepare your case.
However, navigating the legal system can be challenging without legal representation. Insurance companies may not play fair and offer you a lower settlement than you deserve. If your case is complex, you may make errors that lead to a poor outcome. You need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney for the best results.
A personal injury attorney can answer your questions about California’s personal injury and negligence laws. They can also determine liability based on the evidence and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Working with a qualified lawyer ensures that your case is handled as efficiently as possible and helps maximize your compensation.
The Best Personal Injury Law Firm Can Answer Your Questions
A personal injury attorney should answer your questions thoughtfully when asked. The Shirvanian Law Firm offers personalized attention and access to a network of experts and other assistance.
For example, The Shirvanian Law Firm can help you get a rental car if your vehicle is damaged or totaled in car accident cases. We can also refer you to the best medical experts for your injuries.
Free Case Evaluation
If you were hurt in an accident in California, you should always consult with a personal injury lawyer first. Your lawyer can help you explore your legal options and help you make an informed decision if you need to go forward with a trial. Call our law office today to schedule your confidential, free case evaluation.
List of References
Statute of Limitations
https://www.courts.ca.gov/9618.htm?rdeLocaleAttr=en
Representing Yourself
https://www.courts.ca.gov/1076.htm
