After suffering injuries in Cincinnati as a result of negligent or wrongful conduct, you may have the right to file a claim and receive compensation.
Although you can file these claims on your own, it’s never a good option to start a civil action without having a Cincinnati injury attorney helping you because of the complexities involved in the process.
To ensure you hire a qualified person for the job, you should plan to ask substantial questions at your initial consultation. But what should you ask when making this decision? Learn more about the most important questions to pose at your free consultation.
Do You Have Experience With Cases Like Mine?
When you start looking for an attorney, you may speak with people who have been working for decades in personal injury law. This doesn’t mean that all of them will be suitable for every type of claim. A lawyer who works mainly with car accident cases might not know how to tackle medical malpractice claims, for example.
Always ask about whether the personal injury lawyer you’re considering has experience with your exact type of claim. You don’t want to risk your chance of receiving compensation by hiring someone without the necessary experience.
What Is My Claim’s Most Likely Outcome?
It’s helpful to have an idea of what you can expect from the claims process. Your personal injury attorney should offer some information about what could happen based on the amount of evidence you have and the severity of your injuries, but they should never promise results. If they promise that you’ll receive compensation, that’s a red flag.
What Are Your Fees and How Are They Structured?
During your initial consultation with a Cincinnati injury attorney, you must get a clear sense of the fees you can expect. Personal injury lawyers don’t charge upfront fees. Instead, they work on a contingency fee basis. They receive a percentage of your settlement or jury award and only get paid if you get compensation.
The exact amount will depend on your winnings and other factors, but you can expect the attorney to receive about one-third of the total.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
During an initial consultation, it’s difficult to predict how long each case will take. Your injury attorney will give you an idea of the possible course of the claim, but there are many factors that could influence the outcome.
The fastest resolution is to achieve a settlement, and that is what your lawyer will work toward. If a settlement isn’t possible, however, the next step is to go to court. That will take longer.
Will You Handle My Case Personally or Delegate It to Someone Else?
In very large firms that take on a significant number of cases, the main attorneys might end up assigning cases to junior associates and paralegals, so you should always ensure you know who will actually work on your case. You should choose an attorney who will take on your case and not hand it off to someone else.
What Evidence or Documentation Will You Need From Me?
It can be helpful to get an idea right from the start of the type of evidence and documents you’ll need to gather for your lawyer. Most of the time, you’ll need medical records, police reports, photos, videos, witness names, and anything that proves the expenses (such as invoices or receipt) you’ve incurred because of the accident.
This question can also open the conversation up to how the attorney can help you gather further evidence. You may not be sure how to get your police report, or you may be too injured to get your medical records yourself, so knowing what your lawyer can handle without your help is important.
How Do You Communicate With Clients During the Case?
Communication between you and your attorney is essential throughout the case, so ask how often you’ll receive updates and the best mode of getting in touch with them.
That can also give you a sense of whether you’re a good match. If you prefer to speak over the phone and your attorney only communicates via email, you should consider hiring someone else.
FAQ
What Should I Bring to the Initial Consultation With My Cincinnati Injury Attorney?
Bring as much evidence as possible of the accident and the injuries you suffered. That can help your lawyer have a clear idea of what happened right from the start. If you have them, bring the police report, medical records, witness statements, photos and videos, and insurance information for both parties involved.
Do I Have to Pay for the Initial Consultation?
Most of the time, personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. If you’re not sure, ask when you make your appointment.
Will I Know What My Personal Injury Claim Is Worth at the Consultation?
A reputable attorney won’t give you an exact sum, but they might give you an idea of what they have recovered for other clients with similar claims. Each case is unique, however, so what you actually receive could be different.
Schedule a Free Consultation to Begin Your Case
If you have suffered because of someone else’s conduct, you might be able to recover losses by filing a personal injury claim. The Moore Law Firm has helped clients receive significant compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. We can guide you through the entire claims process and help you fight for your rights.
Contact our Cincinnati team at The Moore Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of another person's negligence, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. The simple fact is that you should not be forced to pay the price for another person's careless or reckless actions.