Las Vegas isn’t the most dangerous city for drivers, but there are still around 16,800 injuries a year, with cannabis-related driving accidents increasing by 22.9% between 2016 and 2021. If you have been injured in an accident in Las Vegas and are considering hiring a personal injury lawyer, your initial consultation is a critical first step.
This meeting allows you to get a sense of the lawyer’s experience, communication style and strategy for your case. Going in prepared with questions can help you determine if this is the right attorney for you. Here are some questions worth asking during your first consultation.
What Experience Do You Have Handling Cases Like Mine?
One of the most important factors in choosing a personal injury lawyer is their background and track record with similar cases. Ask Las Vegas, NV, personal injury attorneys specifically how many years they have been practicing personal injury law and how many cases similar to yours they have handled. An experienced lawyer will be able to provide statistics on their success rate and give examples of verdicts or settlements they’ve obtained for past clients. This helps you evaluate their level of expertise in personal injury law.
How Will You Build My Case?
Understanding the lawyer’s approach to building a strong case is key. Personal injury cases require investigative work, meticulous record-keeping, negotiations with insurance companies, and more. Ask what steps they will take to establish liability, secure evidence, determine the full scope of damages, negotiate a settlement, and take the case to trial if necessary – although this happens in less than 5% of cases. The lawyer should demonstrate a clear strategy tailored to the details of your situation.
What is Your Fee Structure?
The financial arrangements are an important factor to discuss upfront. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only collect if they secure a settlement or verdict award for you. Typical contingency fees range from 33-40%. Understand what expenses you may be responsible for paying upfront and what will be deducted from any final award amount. Ask for full clarity on what you can expect to pay throughout the process.
What is the likelihood that I will win my case?
A reputable lawyer will be upfront about the strengths and weaknesses of your case and provide an honest assessment of your chances. While they cannot make guarantees, they should be able to give you a reasonable evaluation based on the evidence, liability issues, injuries sustained, and other factors. Push them to explain their reasoning so you understand how they arrived at this conclusion.
How Long Could This Process Take in Las Vegas?
Personal injury cases can drag on for months or even years, depending on the circumstances. In the case of serious injuries, cases in Las Vegas usually take between 2 and 4 years to settle. Find out what a typical timeline could be for your type of case. While every case is different, the lawyer should be able to estimate when certain steps may occur, like investigations, negotiations, trials, etc. Learn how they aim to work quickly and efficiently while maximizing your settlement/award.
Following up on your initial meeting by doing background research on client reviews and the lawyer’s credentials is also wise. However asking the right questions during the consultation puts you on the right path to finding an attorney well-suited to deliver results for your personal injury claim.
