Deciding Which Charges to Pursue

Posted on: 12 February 2015

Finding yourself in a situation where you need the services of a personal injury lawyer can be one of the most stressful times of anyone's life, so reducing that stress should be a primary goal. Allowing yourself to feel informed and engaged in the process is a big part of that stress relief, and communicating with your lawyer is an important first step.

Below, you'll find a guide to some questions you should ask your personal injury lawyer. Since it's unlikely you've gone through this process before, having this information in hand will put you in a much better position to find a successful result for you and the ones you love the most:

Ask About Up Front Costs

Most people seek personal injury settlements because their ability to work has been interfered with and they need to secure their financial future. Unfortunately, this financial crunch can put you in a situation where you hesitate to seek justice because of the financial commitment you have to make up front.

Thankfully, most personal injury lawyers will accept cases on a contingency basis. This will allow you to pay your lawyer as a percentage of your cash award, and often times, the legal fees are part of the settlement. While you may be responsible for minor filing costs, you will be able to work the largest part of the expense into your budget.

Ask About Your Participation

One of the keys to a successful relationship between you and your lawyer is striking the right balance for your involvement. Personal injury cases can feel extremely personal and intimate, and it's only natural for you to want to have your hands on as much of the process as possible.

What makes injury cases unique, however, is that they often involve you combating a large company with a powerful legal team. This may lead your lawyer to ask you to limit your involvement, as it will also limit your exposure and make it more likely that you find the best financial outcome.

Ask About Potential Outcomes

While every personal injury case has different mitigating factors, your attorney likely has enough experience to be able to help you predict what the settlement in your case will be. This can be very important, as a limitation on your ability to work can cause financial challenges for your future. By having these potential outcomes in mind, you can start planning for the best way to support your loved ones now and in to the future.

To learn more, contact a company like Swartz & Swartz P.C. with any questions or concerns you have.