Questions To Ask When Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney In South Carolina
A personal injury of any kind can throw your life off track. Whether you were in a car accident, experienced a slip and fall, or suffered due to medical malpractice, there's no way to be fully prepared for the outcome. When you're injured, you can incur expensive medical costs, lose wages if you can’t work, and be forced to deal with insurance companies.
If you've suffered injuries due to an accident or someone else's negligence, you should always consult a law firm that has proven success with personal injury cases. But what is the best way to find the right attorney who will fight for what you deserve? The key is to ask the right questions.
Here are some of the most important questions you can ask when researching for a personal injury attorney in South Carolina.
Can you handle my case?
You should get this question out of the way immediately. Respectable attorneys know their limits and understand that they can only devote so much of their talent, energy, and time to their work. Therefore, they don't usually sign on a client if they know the case won't receive proper attention.
Have you handled personal injury cases similar to mine?
When looking for a personal injury attorney in South Carolina, make sure you find one who is familiar with your type of case and has substantial experience handling similar cases. Though your situation is unique, a personal injury attorney who has dealt with a case similar to yours will bring valuable insight to assist with dealing with insurance companies and the defendant.
What’s your assessment of my case?
You want an attorney who will give you straightforward and reliable guidance based on experience. Your attorney should be able to give you a candid assessment of whether you have a valid injury claim, the strengths and weaknesses of the claim, and approximately how much your case is worth financially. This may be one of the most important questions you can ask an attorney to help you avoid additional headaches and frustration.
How will my personal injury attorney and legal staff communicate with me?
You want to feel confident that your personal injury attorney will keep you up-to-date throughout the lifetime of your case. The firm you hire should provide you with specific information about who is working on your case. Determine with your attorney your preferred form of communication so there are no questions regarding how best to reach them.
At the same time, your lawyers should let you know how frequently they will keep you updated on your case during the initial consultation. Let them also know how involved you want to be.
What is your fee structure?
Always inquire about the attorney's fee structure for your case. Payment of attorney fees and costs is determined on a case-by-case basis. The majority of personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency basis, which means that they do not get paid upfront. Instead, their fee constitutes a percentage of any recovery by way of settlement or trial verdict.
In other cases, the attorney fees and costs are paid hourly, with a retainer amount deposited at the beginning of the case.
Stay the Course with the Right Personal Injury Attorney
When hiring an attorney, it is essential to ask questions. Make a list of your top questions about your legal matter, and also ask for general advice based on their experience with cases similar to yours. Remember that attorneys are accustomed to answering all sorts of questions, so do not hesitate to ask.
If you've been injured in South Carolina and need to speak to an attorney, our attorneys at HHP Law Group offer a free consultation. Contact us at 803-400-8277 or visit our contact page, and we will gladly answer your questions to the best of our ability.