Life is unlikely to be the same after an accident, especially if you endure serious injuries. Unfortunately, accidents and mishaps happen often in Des Moines, and in many situations, victims suffer the consequences of someone’s reckless behavior or negligence. If someone else was clearly liable for your losses, you must consider contacting a Des Moines personal injury law firm, and typically, you don’t have to pay money for the first consultation. If you have never worked with an injury lawyer, we recommend a few points worth your attention.
Make a list
You can find numerous injury lawyers in Des Moines, but you cannot meet or contact everyone. Start with online directories to find the best-rated ones. Reviews on Google, third-party websites, and social media will help you know more about a lawyer’s reputation. Alternatively, if you have friends or colleagues who have hired personal injury law firms in the past, you can get recommendations.
Prep for the meeting
Whether yours is a case of nursing home abuse or a car crash, you have to be ready before you meet an attorney. Injury lawyers will usually evaluate your case based on what you share. From pictures and videos of your injuries or the accident site to your medical records, doctor’s notes, and other relevant information, ensure you carry everything.
Ask the right questions
There are a wide range of questions that you can ask an attorney as a prospective client, such as –
- Are you based in Des Moines? How many years of experience do you have?
- What is your experience with similar cases?
- What damages do you think I can recover?
- What is the expected timeline for such claims?
- Are you available to work on my lawsuit?
- Have you been to court? If yes, what’s your track record so far?
- What can you tell me about the variables that can impact the outcome?
- Will you negotiate on my behalf?
Stay away from big talkers
If an attorney is ready to promise an outcome, or when they make statements that are too lavish to be true, you know they are overstating. Do not hire someone who is a big talker. A qualified and expert attorney will always ensure you understand the nuances of your injury claim and the factors that are likely to have a huge impact.
Don’t delay the decision
You should have an attorney immediately after the accident. The window after the mishap is limited and critical for gathering information and evidence. The sooner an attorney comes on board, the more time they will have to explore all aspects. However, don’t hire the first attorney you find.
Know the laws
Understanding the Iowa personal injury laws will help in the long run. Ensure you find an injury lawyer who takes the time to educate and inform you of the major elements, such as the statute of limitations that sets the time limit for filing a civil lawsuit. They should also explain the comparative fault rules.
Discuss the fee
Your injury lawyer in Des Moines will not work at an hourly rate. Instead, they try to maximize the settlement and get a share out of that. Their fee is based on the outcome, which is called a contingency arrangement. Some lawyers charge 33%, but others may charge less or more depending on the complexities of the case and the work involved. For instance, for a road mishap involving multiple vehicles, the investigation can take a long time, and your attorney will have to invest more time. Have complete clarity on the fee structure.
Shortlist top-rated law firms in Des Moines now and call their offices to know when you can meet an attorney!