QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: I’m looking to hire an attorney. How do I choose?

A: Find a specialist or a firm that deals exclusively with your type of case. Law is a very complex and detailed profession and just because an attorney can write a water-tight will for Aunt Edna with her eyes shut doesn’t mean she’s got the right stuff to handle your slip and fall case.

Also, ask about their track record. Results are important, but Indiana lawyers are prohibited from advertising statistical data or other information based on past performance.

Q: Is the Internet a good way to find a lawyer? What about those toll-free numbers I see on TV?

A: The Internet is a powerful tool, but remember: it should start your search process, not finish it. Most lawyers, good and bad, are online now, so don’t take a web site as proof that the firm is “cutting edge” or somehow better because of its Internet presence. Also remember that a lawyer’s web site amounts to an advertisement. Read it carefully, but then ask questions. Call up the firm and see how they treat you. Can’t find a way to contact them in person? That should send off warning bells. Does their site say they handle accident and injury cases only? Test them. Ask them if they handle something else – say, general civil litigation – and see how committed they really are.

As for many of those toll free numbers, beware. Most just direct you to a list of lawyers who are paying for referrals. This is no indication of their quality or expertise.

Q: I found a firm and they sound reputable, but how do I really know?

A: You don’t. Unless you do your homework. Talk to an attorney at the firm to get a sense of their style, their specialization, how they treat their clients. (See Q&A below for questions you should ask.) Don’t be afraid to trust your instinct if something rubs you the wrong way.

Q: What are some questions I should ask before hiring a firm?

A: There are several. Among them:

1) Do you accept only certain types of cases?
2) What is your track record? What percentage of your trials have you won? (If they say they don’t know, be wary. Lawyers love to keep score.)
3) Can I see copies of articles written by outside sources, such as newspapers, about these cases? (If they say they don’t keep them, be wary. Lawyers love proof of their success.)
4) Can I see any published articles you have written about your field?
5) What professional groups and associations do you belong to?

Q: What’s a better deal, a lawyer who works on a contingency fee or charges an hourly rate?

A: In the area of injury and accident law, the answer is simple: Contingency. Accident and Injury cases are complex and costly, and contingency fees are applied ONLY IF YOU WIN. Most lawyers’ fees range from 33 to 40 percent, depending on the case. Often the best lawyer in the field and the worst lawyer will charge the same percentage (the better attorney wins more so he/she doesn’t have to charge more or take on as many clients), where, for an hourly rate, the higher quality attorney might bill double – or more.