Three Things To Understand Before Working With A Personal Injury Attorney

When you've been injured, it's important that you find an attorney who's experienced in your particular situation, and who's honest with you about your chances of settling. Many people go into a consultation with an attorney thinking they can make certain promises to them, such as dollar amount of settlement and whether court will be required or not. If you're meeting with an attorney, below are three things you should be aware of.

An Attorney Cannot Promise an Exact Amount of Money

Even if your attorney has handled dozens of these claims before, no two claims are alike. Settlement amounts vary depending on medical costs, property costs, future lost wages, and general damages.

While your attorney may be able to give you a ballpark figure, they cannot know whether the responsible party will settle, or whether it will need to be taken to court.

An Attorney Cannot Promise You Won't Need to Go to Court

While a very small percentage of personal injury cases actually makes it to trial, your attorney cannot know whether yours will be one of those until further along in the settlement process.

In certain cases, a trial may be necessary. A personal injury trial allows both sides to present their case, and a judge or jury will decide the dollar amount awarded to the plaintiff (you) if the defendant is proven at fault. Your attorney will try their hardest to settle your case out of court, but they also know that they must fight for what's right for you. When speaking with your attorney, ask them what will happen if settlement outside of court doesn't seem likely, and how they'll prepare themselves and you for the trial.

An Attorney Cannot Promise That You'll Win If You Go to Court

If it seems as if your case will not settle, court may be your only option. While your attorney will best prepare you for the upcoming trial and possible outcomes, there is never any guarantee that you'll walk away with cash.

As mentioned above, trials allow both parties to present their sides of the case. The jury may decide that both parties are equally at fault, or that the defendant has no responsibility. Your attorney will work with you to present the best case possible. While your attorney can not guarantee a win, having an attorney when you go to trial can significantly increase your odds.

If you've been injured, it's important to understand all of the options available to you. While consulting with a personal injury attorney is a great first step, it's important to know what they can and cannot promise you. If you intend to leave the consultation with an idea of how much you'll win, whether the case will go to court, and whether you'll win in court, you'll be disappointed.  

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