If you suffered injuries because of someone’s negligence, intentional action or careless, you may have the scope to ask for compensation. Filing an insurance claim is just one aspect. You need to negotiate with the claims adjuster, and they can manipulate you into accepting an amount way less than what you deserve. You definitely have the right to refuse the settlement, but that would mean pursuing a lawsuit.
There is a limited time of just 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit, from the date of accident, according to the statute of limitations in Washington State. If you wish to hire a Seattle personal injury attorney, you have to act quick. You need to ask as many questions as possible when meeting a lawyer, and here is a quick list for your help –
1. How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
This is a valid question. Medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, product-related injuries, car accidents, slip & fall incidents, truck accidents – These are all a part of personal injury law. You need a lawyer, who has experience in cases similar to yours. You can ask about their landmark cases and top settlements. An experienced personal injury lawyer never steps back from discussing their achievements.
2. Will you handle my case? Can you work on a contingency basis?
It has happened to many clients that they paid for the most expensive attorney of a law firm, only to be represented by an associate or junior. If you are paying for a lawyer, make sure that they are the one handling your case. Secondly, for most personal injury cases, lawyers work on a contingency basis, depending on the circumstances. This kind of arrangement may work for you, especially if you don’t want to pay upfront.
3. What do you think of my claim?
A skilled and experienced lawyer will never give any false hope to their clients. Expect them to give a fair idea of what you can expect in compensation, and if there is a chance of trial. They will handle the insurance negotiations on your behalf, but they can also decide if a lawsuit is necessary to get the due compensation. At the end of the day, you would want the money to be worth the fight, which is exactly why this question is important.
Finally, make sure that the lawyer has good reviews. You can also check for personal injury lawyers in Seattle online and sort them by ratings.
