Hiring a Stockton personal injury attorney? Check these details

When you have suffered injuries because of someone’s negligence in Stockton, you can claim compensation for your losses. For personal injury claims, you must prove that the other person owed you a duty of care, and their negligence caused the accident, which eventually caused your injuries. Regardless of whether you are suing for dog bite or car accident, hiring an experienced lawyer is imperative. Below are some details to check before you hire a Stockton personal injury attorney.

Reasons to call an attorney

How can a personal injury attorney help? First and foremost, a lawyer can help you understand about fault and liability. For instance, if you were involved in a car accident, did you have a share in fault? If yes, your compensation can be significantly lower. Lawyers also investigate each case they take, gathering evidence and details of witnesses. They will do all that takes to strengthen your lawsuit. In most cases, personal injury claims are settled outside of court, and a good attorney can negotiate aptly with the insurance company. In case the matter doesn’t resolve as expected, your lawyer can guide on filing a lawsuit.

Questions for personal injury lawyers

Usually, attorneys offer free case evaluation for prospective cases. This is your chance to ask relevant questions, to know your claim and the attorney better. Ask questions like –

1. How often do you work on similar personal injury cases in Stockton?
2. Do you have experience of representing clients in court?
3. How long have you been practicing in Stockton?
4. Are you available to work directly on my case? What is your current case load?
5. What can I expect in settlement?
6. What do you think are strengths and weaknesses of my case?
7. Can you share a few references?
8. How will I communicate with your team?

Cost of legal counsel in Stockton

Lawyers work on personal injury cases on a contingency fee, although this may not be always true. In a contingency arrangement, the lawyer only gets paid when you receive the settlement. There is no upfront fee for hiring the lawyer. Other costs related to the case, including investigation expenses, must be paid too. At times, a lawyer may advance these expenses, while in other cases, the client must pay immediately.

The statute of limitations in California allows a period of two years to bring personal injury lawsuits. If you need a lawyer, don’t delay in hiring one.