When you get a severe injury from a construction accident, you might need to work with a Chicago construction accident attorney to get the compensation you need and deserve. So, how do you find a good construction accident lawyer to handle your case?
This blog talks about some important questions to ask a construction accident lawyer. You will want to reach out to several attorneys when trying to find the one who is right for your case.
Before you schedule the first appointment, ask if the lawyer charges for the initial consultation. Most personal injury lawyers do not charge for the first meeting, but you do not want to get a surprise legal fee bill, so be sure to ask upfront.
Four Essential Questions to Ask at the First Appointment with a Construction Accident Lawyer
Here are just a few of the many questions you will want to ask the attorney about at the first meeting:
How Do You Charge for Your Work?
Most lawyers handle personal injury cases like construction accident injury claims on a contingency fee basis. That means that you do not pay a fee deposit or any legal fees during the case. Instead, the lawyer gets paid a percentage of the settlement or court award. Get the contingency fee agreement in writing and make sure that it states the attorney’s percentage as well as litigation expenses and incidental costs like copies and postage.
Do You Take Any Cases to Trial?
Some lawyers only work on personal injury claims at the beginning of the case, hoping to reach a settlement. If the case does not settle, they hand the client over to a different law firm to handle the trial. You need to know this at the beginning of the case so that you know what to expect.
How Much of Your Practice Is Personal Injury?
How many construction accident cases have you and other members of the law firm handled? You want people with experience taking care of your claim.
What Is Your Strategy for Handling the Challenging Aspects of My Construction Accident Case?
Every case has weaknesses. You want a lawyer who knows how to deal with your case’s weaknesses and capitalize on its strengths.
As you talk with the lawyer, feel free to ask additional questions based on the lawyer’s responses to your questions.
Things to Bring to Your Initial Consultation with a Construction Accident Attorney
It is a good idea to take to the appointment a written list of the questions you want to ask. Sometimes, the initial consultation happens over the phone, so have your list of questions handy.
If your first consultation is in person, you will want to take along any evidence you have about the accident and your injuries. This evidence could be photographs of the accident site and your wounds, medical records from your emergency room visit and medical treatments, and notes about eyewitnesses or other relevant topics.
Contact Our Trusted Chicago Construction Accident Attorneys
A Chicago personal injury attorney could help you hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries and other losses. We are happy to offer a free initial consultation. Reach out to our office for help.