Injuries, whether suffered in car accidents, workplace mishaps or slips and falls on the sidewalks, are stressful times. However, at no other time in your life will an experienced injury attorney in Long Island NY be worth consulting than when you are faced with months of recovery. If you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of an injury, this article tells you what to ask an injury attorney in Long Island NY before you decide to retain his/her services.
What qualifications and experience do you have? A qualified injury attorney in Long Island NY should possess qualifications like a J.D degree from a reputable law school such as the Albany Law School. Also, as an experienced injury attorney in Long Island NY they should hold membership in organizations such as the New York Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Bar Association, Florida State Bar Association or Nassau County Bar Association.
Do I have a strong case? Before you hire an injury attorney in Long Island NY you want to know if you have sufficient legal grounds to file a suit. A good injury attorney in Long Island NY will advise you on a free consultation, and will even offer to visit you – at home or in hospital – to discuss your situation first, before deciding if you have a defensible case.
What could I expect in terms of compensation for the injuries I suffered? Laws usually provide you to be compensated to the full extent that your injuries allow. A good injury attorney in Long Island NY can advise you of opportunities to claim for lost earnings, medical costs and perhaps mental agony too. However, without an in-depth consultation first even the best injury attorney in Long Island NY cannot provide you with an estimated value of expected compensation.
How much will you charge me on an hourly basis? A reputable injury attorney in Long Island NY will usually never work on hourly charge-out basis. They operate on a “no win – no fee” basis. This means your injury attorney in Long Island NY won’t get paid unless you win, in which case they get a percentage of the compensation awarded to you. Acceptable standards are for a good injury attorney in Long Island NY to charge no more than 1/3rd of the total award.
When can I file my lawsuit? An astute injury attorney in Long Island NY will advise you to seek legal advice soon after the injury as possible. Many suites are subject to a statute of limitations, which an experienced injury attorney in Long Island NY will be able to determine only after hearing the details of the injury sustained. However delays in consulting your injury attorney in Long Island NY can result in evidence being destroyed or witnesses forgetting crucial facts of a case. So don’t delay!
