Have you or a family member been injured in an accident or other situation? If another party caused your injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, loss of income, and other damages. An experienced Scranton personal injury attorney can help you file a personal injury claim and pursue a fair settlement for your injuries.
Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. To make the most of your consultation and learn what you need to know about your case and the attorney, make sure you ask the following six questions during a free consultation:
1. What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do You Handle?
Personal injury law encompasses a wide range of accidents and situations, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Premises liability
- Product liability
- Nursing home abuse
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Workplace accidents
A personal injury is any injury to a person’s body, emotions, or reputation. Personal injury cases are based on tort law, which states that a tort is conduct that causes personal injury or harm to another person.
You want to hire an attorney with substantial experience handling cases like your case. An attorney with experience already understands the law and the potential issues or problems that could arise in your case.
2. How Much Trial Experience Do You Have?
Most personal injury cases in Pennsylvania are resolved through settlement negotiations. Even when a party files a personal injury lawsuit, they often settle the case before it goes to trial.
However, some cases go to court. Therefore, you want to hire a seasoned trial lawyer with courtroom experience. A trial attorney prepares cases as if they are going to trial, which gives you an advantage during settlement negotiations and if your case eventually goes to court.
3. How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
An attorney can explain what economic and non-economic damages you may receive for a personal injury case. However, an experienced injury lawyer does not tell you the exact amount for your case. They explain numerous factors that could impact the value of your case, including:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The parties involved in your case
- The strength of the evidence that proves causation, fault, and liability
- The availability of insurance coverage for your claim
- Whether you sustained a lifelong disability or permanent impairment
- Your degree of fault for causing your injuries
- The total of your medical bills, loss of income, and other economic damages
An experienced attorney understands that many factors could impact how much your case is worth. Until they investigate the claim thoroughly, giving you an exact amount for your personal injury claim is unethical.
4. What Is Your Track Record?
Ethical lawyers do not promise specific outcomes for personal injury cases. However, knowing if an attorney has a successful track record is helpful. It often indicates an attorney has a high level of skills, experience, and resources.
You should also ask the attorney about the expected outcomes of your case. An experienced personal injury lawyer will tell you the truth. They will not guarantee you will win, but they will explain the potential problems with your case and the strength of your case.
5. What Is the Filing Deadline for My Personal Injury Case?
There are deadlines for filing personal injury cases (i.e., statute of limitations). Missing the deadline means giving up your right to pursue a legal claim. Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for many personal injury claims is two years. The two years begin from the accident date or the injury date.
Several exceptions to the statute of limitations can shorten or lengthen the time to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is crucial that injured parties seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid missing a deadline. Ask the attorney about the deadline for your case during the consultation.
6. How Much Do You Charge for Attorneys’ Fees in a Personal Injury Case?
It is natural to be worried about how to pay for a personal injury attorney. Being injured can create financial hardship. You may be out of work for several months as you recover from your injuries.
Many personal injury lawyers, including ours, take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay them any upfront or hourly fees. Rather, their compensation is based on the outcome of your case. If they recover compensation for you, they will receive a percentage of your verdict or court award. However, if they lose your case, you will not owe them any money.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Scranton Personal Injury Lawyers to Learn More
You will likely have many questions to ask an attorney during a free consultation, such as “Who will handle my case?” and “How long does it take to settle a personal injury case?” It can help to write down your questions before you meet with an attorney so you do not overlook any issues you want to discuss.
Call Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Scranton personal injury lawyers. We are here to help you when you need trusted legal advice and guidance after an accident.