Questions to Ask During a New York Personal Injury Consultation

You’ve read the lawyer’s website and know they handle cases and injuries like yours. You’ve read the attorney’s reviews and think they sound like they have a good reputation and may be a good fit.

Now you’re preparing for your first meeting. You know the attorney will have plenty of questions for you, and you’ve gathered all your documentation and evidence.

The purpose of the meeting is to help you determine if you and the attorney will work well together. Yet you should have questions for the attorney as well.

How Will We Communicate?

How will you contact them if you have questions or concerns after your case is started? How will you be updated and will they call you or email you? Will you need to come into the office, or can calls be handled over Zoom?

Know that most of these cases move slowly. And there will be long stretches of time when nothing important develops or changes. Nevertheless, you should feel confident that you’ll be able to get in touch with your attorney if you feel you need to and that you’ll receive updates as necessary.

What’s the Best-Case and Worst-Case Scenario for My Case?

If you haven’t your reached maximum medical improvement when you meet with your attorney for the first time, the attorney won’t be in a position to answer this question.

In general, if you go to trial, the worst case is you may lose the trial and get nothing, however, if you settle your case instead of going to trial you know what compensation you will receive.

Tell Me About Your Fee Structure

In New York most personal injury lawyers work on contingency fee basis, meaning they’ll take a percentage of the case settlement after the case ends.

Contingency fees in New York personal injury cases are 33%.

Personal injury lawyers in New York will usually handle the costs and expenses of your case and then be compensated for those costs and expenses at the end of the case. This benefits you because you don’t have to pay any money upfront.

Will You Be Handling My Case Personally?

Is the lawyer you meet with going to handle your case or pass your case off to a different lawyer or possibly even to a paralegal?

Bonus: Questions to Ask Yourself

You’ll work with this lawyer until your case is over. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with this person.

Do you feel like they treat you with respect? Empathize with you? Answer your questions?

This person will guide you through one of the most stressful periods in your life. Make sure you have a good rapport with them before agreeing to let them represent you.