How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer in Richmond 14 Questions to Ask

When you’re injured because of someone else’s mistake, choosing the right Richmond personal injury lawyer is crucial. The lawyer you choose can play a significant role in the outcome of your case.

Finding the right attorney for your claim often comes down to asking the right questions. Learn more about important questions to ask a personal injury lawyer, and when you’re ready to discuss your case with our team, give Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers a call.

1. Do you handle cases similar to mine?

Start here. Personal injury is a very large area of practice, and there are important differences between types of claims. You want to find out if they even accept claims like yours and if they do so regularly. You don’t want your case to be the first time a career car accident lawyer tackles a medical malpractice case or defective product claim.

2. Is your primary office in Virginia?

You want the attorney who represents you to know the local courts and to be available to work with you and on your case.

3. Are any of your lawyers licensed to practice in Virginia, and, if so, how long have they been licensed in Virginia?

Different states have different laws, and each state requires that attorneys practicing in their courts have a valid law license. Make sure you’re working with a lawyer who is licensed in Virginia and regularly represents clients in the state.

4. How long have you been practicing personal injury law?

In addition to making sure they take cases similar to yours, you also want to find out how long they have specifically been working in the area of personal injury law. This doesn’t mean that new lawyers can’t be a good choice for your case; it just means that experience matters when it comes to insurance company negotiations, preparing for trial, and presenting your case in front of a jury. These skills come from years of repetition and practice.

5. How many cases have your Virginia-licensed lawyers tried to a jury in Virginia?

You might think that all attorneys take cases to trial regularly, but that’s not exactly the case. Most claims do settle before they make it to trial meaning some lawyers rarely if ever take cases in front of a jury. This can be problematic because sometimes taking a claim to trial is the best or the only way to get a fair result. Also, if your lawyer is known as a trial attorney, insurers won’t think that they can try to pressure you to settle quickly to avoid court. As a result, you may be able to reach a more favorable settlement.

6. What’s your track record in Richmond courts and settlements?

Where an attorney has built their career and reputation can affect how they handle your claim. It’s not just a matter of understanding personal injury law; it’s about knowing local courts, judges, insurance companies, and accident patterns in Richmond. An attorney who’s established in Richmond will understand how local courts operate and how local insurers tend to approach cases. You’re trusting them with your case; you deserve to know that they can handle your case with confidence.

7. Who will actually handle my case?

Many people forget to ask this question, but it’s incredibly important. Some firms pass much of the work to their paralegals or first-year attorneys after the first meeting. You get access to a highly experienced attorney during your consultation, but then they disappear for the rest of your claim. In other firms, the attorney you meet with is the one who handles your case from start to finish. You deserve to know who you’re working with.

8. How do you communicate with clients?

Communication issues are one of the most common sources of complaints in personal injury claims. There’s no real right or wrong answer here—it’s just about finding a personal injury lawyer whose communication patterns and frequency are a good match for yours. How often will they update? How can you reach the firm when you have questions, concerns, or new information? How quickly do they typically respond? Ideally, you’ll walk away from your consultation knowing how much involvement you’ll have in your case and how easy it will be to reach your lawyer.

9. What is your fee structure?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee structure. This means that they only get paid if they recover compensation for you, either during negotiations or in court. But there are details that vary from lawyer to lawyer, so it’s always good to ask. You may want to ask what percentage they take and if any circumstances change what you ultimately owe.

10. Will I owe any costs out of pocket?

Many people know that personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee structure, but they may not think to ask about the other costs associated with their case. Your attorney’s fee is their payment for the work they do. Other costs associated with your claim may include expert witness fees, medical records, filing fees, and investigative expenses. Some firms advance these fees and take them from the settlement later. Others require you to pay upfront or reimburse them even if your case is ultimately unsuccessful.

11. How will you determine my case’s value?

If any lawyer tells you they know the value of your case in the first meeting, they are lying to you just to get your case. Value cannot be determined until you and your doctors agree that you no longer require medical treatment and that you either returned to your baseline health or have a permanent injury or disability. At Phelan Petty, we shoot straight with our clients at all times.

12. Have any of your clients ever filed a bar complaint against your firm?

Ask about their background and whether past clients have taken action against them. This information can help you identify potential risks of working with a particular attorney.

13. What challenges do you see in my case?

Every case has weaknesses, and any lawyer who can’t find them may not be up to the task of advocating for you. The insurance company you’re facing at the negotiating table or in the courtroom will be able to find the weaknesses in your case, so you need an attorney who can pinpoint those weak spots ahead of time and plan for them. Look for thoughtful, straightforward answers that let you know what issues you may face and how your lawyer will approach them.

14. What are my next steps?

You can end your consultation by asking what happens next. You want to leave a consultation knowing exactly what your next steps are and what to expect if you retain that attorney. You should know what documents you’ll need to provide, your lawyer’s first steps on your case, and what the general timeline of your case is.

Ready to schedule your consultation? Call Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers now.

When you’re ready to take the first step in your personal injury claim, the team at Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers is here to help. Give us a call today or send us a message via our online contact form to schedule a consultation.