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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. How much time do you devote to cases like mine, that is, what percentage of your law practice focuses on this area of law? The attorney you retain should devote at least 75% of their practice to area to your case's subject matter.

5. Will you utilize the assistance of younger attorneys or paralegals on my case? Younger attorneys and paralegals are often used to perform important tasks, but should play a limited role in your case. However, it is important that you ask to meet them and use your personal judgment to evaluate them. Even though the subject matter and law governing your case might be foreign and unfamiliar you should not discount your ability to size up an attorney candidate and his staff.

6. What is your policy regarding returning client phone calls? The most frequent complaint of clients is unreturned phone calls. Your attorney should have a 24 hour turnaround on client phone calls, absent unusual circumstances. It would be best to have this policy written into your retainer agreement with the attorney 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. Do you have a strategy that you employ for cases similar to mine? Your prospective attorney's answer will demonstrate his organizational skills and whether or not he is familiar with the subject matter implicated in your case.

9. How long do you think my case will take before we reach settlement or go to trial? Be wary of an attorney who promises quick settlement or resolution, but your attorney should provide you with at least an estimate of the time required to reach disposition of your case.

10. What is the best way for me to help you in order that we reach a successful outcome in my case? And, most importantly, in your expert opinion do you believe that I have a case or is my situation just one of those unfortunate cases with no real chance of recovery? (This question should be asked with the knowledge that terrible things do happen and sometimes there is no legal recourse). Not all wrongs have a legal remedy. Your attorney might recommend that you not pursue your case. This is probably the most important question to ask and the most difficult answer to hear, but a quality attorney will provide you an action plan to handle your case that outlines your participation and the likely chance of victory.

Take your first step now; contact a personal injury attorney at http://www.personalinjuryresourcecenter.com. The attorneys listed here are ready, willing, and able to answer your questions, provide expert advice and take on your case today.

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