If you do a Google search, you will see that Minneapolis has no shortage of personal injury attorneys. Finding one that works best for you will take some work on your part, but it’s not difficult. Take the time to talk to several attorneys who specialize in your type of case to get the service and results you deserve.
When interviewing a Minneapolis personal injury attorney, ask the following questions.
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Who can I talk to as a reference?
Good lawyers have a list of references who are happy to discuss their experiences with you. Get a range of references from the attorney and call those references to find out their experiences with the attorney. Find out how long they worked together, how the communication was, and whether they felt they were getting fair results in their cases.
What are your communication systems?
Ask the lawyer how he will communicate with you and how often you will receive updates on your case. Personal injury cases can take months, if not years, depending on how serious your injuries are. You want someone who can keep you quickly informed of developments and who will keep in touch if things go wrong. Find out how often you can expect to hear from the lawyer and whether it is via a phone call or email. Everyone has their own preference for how they want to be contacted, so find a lawyer who communicates the way you want.
Will my case go to court?
Your personal injury attorney will most likely try to settle your claim with the insurance company without going to court. However, if the insurance company is not willing to pay a reasonable settlement, the next step is to file a lawsuit. This starts the process known as litigation.
About 95% of the time, your case eventually settles, but a small percentage of personal injury cases go to trial. An experienced lawyer cannot guarantee anything, but will give you an idea of whether or not your case will go to court. If so, you want to make sure that the attorney has a solid track record in litigation. Don’t hesitate to ask how many cases they have tried and what their success rate is.
What are your costs?
Stay away from lawyers who want to charge an hourly rate. It is the industry standard for personal injury attorneys to work on a contingency. This means that instead of paying your attorney fees up front, your attorney will deduct a percentage of the amount you recover for your injury. While there’s no hard and fast rule for how much they can charge, the average range in Minneapolis is between 33% and 40% of your settlement amount. If you meet an attorney who charges more, make sure they have the experience and track record to justify it.
Who’s on your team?
An excellent personal injury attorney has a team or set of resources to help them do their job better. Their team may include assistants and paralegals. Find out what kind of contact you will have with these people or if you should expect to speak exclusively with the lawyer. Good personal injury attorneys also have a list of medical providers they work with to help you get the best possible care and make a full and quick recovery. A personal injury attorney who does not have a strong team and network may not be right for you.
Interview multiple personal injury lawyers
As you can see, finding the right personal injury lawyer is a process. Chances are you’ll need to speak to several to find the right fit. Asking multiple attorneys these questions will also help you set the right expectations for your case, as each attorney will give you an idea of what to expect from a settlement for your injury. Hopefully the range is narrow and helps you understand what the payout is likely to be for you.