HOW TO TALK TO A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER: THE BASICS
How to Communicate Effectively with a Personal Injury Lawyer
1. Prepare a list of questions
It is important to prepare for your initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer by preparing a list of questions important to you and your particular circumstances. All solicitors’ firms will vary with regards to capacity, and even the most experienced personal injury lawyer may not have the specific expertise or resources to deal with your claim.
Examples of some important questions to consider asking your personal injury solicitor are:
- Can I make a personal injury claim following my accident?
Your personal injury lawyer will advise you on the strength of your claim based on your description of events and whether or not they believe the accident was not your fault.
- Have you dealt with claims similar to mine before?
If you instruct a solicitor who has dealt with other claims with similar circumstances, they will be more likely to obtain a more favourable outcome.
- Do you feel you are the appropriate person to deal with my claim?
It is important to express your concerns if you are not fully satisfied that this solicitor is the perfect fit for your circumstances. If you find yourself in this position, you should ask them if they feel they can efficiently and confidently carry your claim to conclusion.
- What are your fees and how do you get paid?
A solicitor is legally obliged to provide you with information regarding their fees. It is important for you to have all of the information you need before proceeding.
- What do you think is the full value of my claim?
Personal injury solicitors will be able to advise you on what they believe your case to be valued at, following the Personal Injuries Guidelines, published by the Judicial Council, which came into effect in April 2021.
- How long will it take for my case to be finalised?
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to provide you with a timeline for your case based on your circumstances. However, it is important to note that this will be an estimate as there are many factors that can affect the duration of your claim.
2. Be honest and tell the whole story
It is important to tell the entire story to your solicitor, including any and all facts surrounding the circumstances of the accident, even those you may not think are relevant. To allow your solicitor to provide you with accurate, expert advice, it is crucial they are provided with an accurate description of the accident.
3. Ask about the best and worst case scenario
Ask your solicitor what are the best and worst case scenarios for your case. It is important to be realistic with the circumstances of your accident and your solicitor can help you in that regard.
Remember that your personal injury solicitor wants to achieve the best outcome for you but should not be afraid to point out any issues in your case.
4. Clarify any doubts
For many people, engaging with a solicitor following an accident is a very daunting experience. It is important that you ask any questions you have and ask your personal injury solicitor to clarify any doubts you have. This is not a simple procedure and your solicitor should have the expertise to clarify and explain it to you, putting any doubts at ease.
5. Decide if they are a right fit
Following your consultation, take your time to consider whether or not you feel like this solicitor is the right fit for you personally and for your particular set of circumstances. It is important that you do not feel rushed into making a decision immediately after discussing your case for the first time.
Your personal injury solicitor will advise you if your case needs any urgent action, but it is important you have an opportunity to reflect on your initial consultation.
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Solicitor
Personal injury solicitors prepare for their careers which provides them with the relevant expertise to help you with your case.
Some examples of the benefits of hiring a personal injury solicitor are:
- Objectivity and Expertise
- Negotiation Skills
- Help with Accessing Medical Attention
- Providing Peace of Mind
- Help to Progress your Claim in a Timely Manner
- They can Help you Avoid Making Crucial Errors
For the above reasons and more, it would always be prudent for an individual to instruct a personal injury solicitor if they have suffered injuries in an accident which was not their fault.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
After considering all the information above, and discussing your claim with a solicitor, it is important for you to personally determine whether or not this solicitor is the right fit for you. It is vital that you do not feel pressured when choosing who to instruct, so that you are confident in your decision from the beginning of your claim.
Making a Personal Injury Claim with Homs Assist
With offices across the country, we have personal injury lawyers that can help you wherever you are. No matter who you are dealing with within our firm, you will be guided by an expert, when you feel you need it the most.
Our values include:
- Quality
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Integrity
- Competitiveness
Our values ensure we provide our clients with a first-class service, putting them first every step of the way, all while putting our years of experience into practice.
If you or your loved one are thinking of making a personal injury claim, we may be able to help.
With over 50 years of expert legal experience advising patients, we are here to provide expert advice when you need it most.
Call us today on 1800 207 207 or contact us online to have a confidential conversation about your situation.
