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Ten must-ask questions before hiring a personal injury attorney.

1. How long have you been practicing law in this state? An inexperienced attorney should not have full file responsibility for your case. Accomplished trial attorneys often employ younger attorneys to assist them, but they should be playing a supporting role rather than handling your case.

2. Do you maintain a malpractice liability policy? Attorneys, like doctors, should have a policy of professional liability insurance, as accidents and mistakes, unfortunately, do occur.

3. How many cases like mine have you taken to trial and/or settlement? This number is a bellwether indicating the attorney's familiarity and experience with cases like yours.

4. About how much of your practice focuses on cases like mine? To attain real expertise, an attorney should focus at least 75% of his time on the subject matter and practice areas involved in your case.

5. Will you be working on my case alone or do you routinely have junior attorneys assist on matters like mine? Junior associate attorneys often perform work on many matters for more senior, accomplished attorneys. You should, however, ask to meet these attorneys in order to evaluate them. The subject matter of your case and the laws governing it might seem foreign and unintelligible but you should not ignore your own personal judgment when it comes to sizing up a prospective attorney and his employees.

6. How quickly do you typically return client phone calls? Some attorneys are notorious for failing to return client phone calls. In fact, this complaint usually tops the list of all client complaints about their lawyers. Your attorney should have a policy whereby he returns client calls within 24 hours, absent unusual circumstances. Be sure to have your attorney put this requirement in your retainer agreement, to ensure compliance.

7. Will you take the time to explain all of the legal concepts, court procedures, fee arrangements, retainer agreements, billing practices, and payment of costs to me? This question is important because these matters can be time consuming and obtaining an affirmation from your attorney will set the tone. You will demonstrate that you are aware that the subject matter might be foreign to you but that you are willing to learn and be involved in your case to the best of your ability.

8. What is your method or strategy for handling cases like mine? Your attorney should have a streamlined process for "working-up" cases like yours. The level of detail contained in the attorney's process will demonstrate his organization skills and familiarity with the subject matter and law of your case.

9. How long before we reach trial or settlement in my case? An attorney who promises settlement or recovery almost immediately should be avoided. Yet your attorney should be able to provide a reasoned estimate of the time required to reach the conclusion of your case.

10. In your expert opinion do you believe that I have real chance for recovery or is my situation just an unfortunate one with no real chance of success? You should, of course, ask this question even though it may be difficult to hear the answer. Sometimes there is no legal remedy when a person is hurt, injured or suffers an injustice. Your attorney might, in fact, recommend that you not pursue your case. A quality attorney will provide you with a plan of action that outlines your participation, the steps he will take, and the likelihood of a successful recovery.

To contact a personal injury attorney now please visit http://www.personalinjuryresourcecenter.com the attorneys listed here are ready and willing to answer your questions and provide expert advice now.

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