Questions for a Personal Injury Attorney
A first meeting with a personal injury attorney should help you decide whether the lawyer is a good fit for your case. Ask questions that reveal how the firm works rather than focusing only on promises about settlement value.
Start with experience. Ask whether the attorney regularly handles your type of claim and whether they have experience in the relevant Pennsylvania courts. Find out who will have day-to-day responsibility for the file and whether you will communicate primarily with the lawyer, a paralegal or another team member.
Ask About Experience and Strategy
Ask how the attorney views the main issues in the case. What evidence needs to be collected? Is liability likely to be disputed? Are there insurance coverage concerns? What medical or employment records will be important? A careful lawyer may not have complete answers at the first meeting, but should be able to explain the investigation required.
Discuss fees clearly. Ask whether the case will be handled on a contingency fee, what percentage applies, how case expenses are dealt with and what happens to costs if there is no recovery. Request the agreement in writing.
Fees and Communication
Communication matters as well. Ask how often you can expect updates, how questions should be submitted and how quickly the firm normally responds.
Finally, ask about settlement and trial experience. Most claims do not reach trial, but the attorney should be prepared to litigate when necessary. Avoid choosing a lawyer solely because of a promised dollar figure. Case value depends on evidence, and no responsible attorney can guarantee a particular outcome.