Despite popular opinion, personal injury lawyers can significantly benefit your personal injury claim after you’ve been in an accident. While most people are nervous about working with lawyers and are afraid they will cost too much money, a good Indianapolis personal injury lawyer will do their best to ease your fears—and will only collect their fees after they have won your case and helped to recover a settlement for your injuries and other damages.
However, no two personal injury lawyers or law firms are the same. And it’s easy to make mistakes when you feel rushed to deal with your claim while also struggling with your injuries. So, we’re here to help you make the right decision and avoid common mistake interview questions when you are searching for a personal injury firm to hire.
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
1. Assuming all lawyers are the same
While an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer might list themselves as a personal injury lawyer, this does not mean that all personal injury lawyers have experience in all areas of personal injury law. There are many different practice areas that the term “personal injury” encompasses, including car accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog attacks, premises liability, workers’ compensation, nursing home abuse, and medical malpractice.
So, before you choose a lawyer to work with, it’s important that you make sure they have experience handling cases similar to yours. Even if they list that practice area on their website, this doesn’t mean they have handled a lot of cases in that area. So make sure you ask them about their specific experience.
2. Not doing your research
Don’t just go with the first lawyer that someone recommends or that you see pop up in search engine results. There are likely tons of lawyers in your area, and it’s beneficial if you do some research into them first to make sure you choose the one that will be the best fit for you. Just because someone you know might have had success with a certain lawyer doesn’t mean you will have that same success with them.
3. Rushing into your decision
The aftermath of an accident or any other personal injury incident can be overwhelming and stressful. As such, it’s common for people to rush into choosing a lawyer so they can simply get the whole thing over with and go back to focusing on their injuries and getting better.
However, as quick and convenient as it might feel to simply pick one, this could result in a poor outcome. And whether you choose a good lawyer or not, personal injury cases can take time to resolve, so it’s better to spend a little extra time upfront to make sure you are choosing the right lawyer for your case.
4. Assuming bigger is better
Just because a law firm is “big and fancy” does not mean they are good at what they do. Appearances can definitely be deceiving, and no law firm, big or small, can guarantee you a favorable outcome. So, don’t let a flashy law firm fool you into choosing them if they ultimately are not the right fit for you. Again, do your research and make sure you go with a law firm that has experience handling cases like yours.
5. Only considering years of experience
Just because a lawyer has been practicing for many years does not mean they are good at what they do. Most law firms will list their years of experience on their website as a way to attract clients, and while there is nothing wrong with this, it doesn’t guarantee they have enough real-world experience to successfully handle your case. So when looking into a law firm, make sure you check that they have genuinely handled cases like yours and have a decent success rate as opposed to just going by their years of experience.
6. Not asking questions
The biggest mistake interview question you can ask is none at all. Never be afraid to ask too many questions when it comes to figuring out if a personal injury lawyer is a good fit for you. A good lawyer should never intimidate you or make you feel uncomfortable asking questions, as they should have nothing to hide.
The right lawyer will support you and be open to your questions and alleviate your concerns. They should openly communicate with you and be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Some good questions to ask a lawyer to get you started can include:
- What are your fees?
- What areas do you specialize in?
- How will you communicate with me and keep me updated?
- Have you handled other cases like mine before?
- Do you have the experience to take my case to trial if necessary?
7. Paying fees upfront
While the right lawyer should have no problem telling you what their fees are, they should not be charging you for their services upfront. The best law firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only collect their fees when they win your case. If a lawyer is charging upfront, it could be a red flag indicating that they don’t have the confidence to win your case.
8. Hiring a lawyer without trial experience
Though many personal injury cases can be settled without ever needing to go to court, sometimes a court trial is necessary. If everyone involved is in agreement, your lawyer may be able to work out a settlement without needing to represent you in a court trial. But there are times when the parties involved don’t agree, and there are disputes that need to be handled in court.
If this is the case, you want to make sure your chosen lawyer actually has trial experience. Not all personal injury attorneys have seen the inside of a courtroom, so always double-check before hiring them.
Contact a Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer at Crossen Law Firm
At Crossen Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming wondering how to choose an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer after you’ve been injured in an accident. Our team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have, and we offer free consultations to ensure we are the right fit for you and your case.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, contact us on our website or call us today at (317) 401-8626.
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