Skip to Content
601-265-7766
Coxwell & Associates Coxwell & Associates
Top

Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Attorney having a meeting with a client.
|

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of Contents

Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, you should ask about their track record of results, how they handle communication with clients, whether they're prepared to take a case to trial, and how their fees work. These questions help you understand not just what an attorney has done in the past, but how they'll approach your case from start to finish.

Below, we break down each of these questions in more detail so you know exactly what to look for when choosing legal representation.

What Is Your Track Record With Cases Like Mine?

Ask directly about the outcomes an attorney has achieved for clients with similar injuries or circumstances. A firm with a long history of results should be able to speak to past settlements and verdicts without hesitation. This isn't about guaranteeing a specific outcome for your case, since every case is different, but it does give you insight into whether the attorney has genuinely handled cases like yours before and knows how to pursue fair compensation.

How Will We Communicate Throughout My Case?

Personal injury cases can take months to resolve, so it's important to understand how often you'll hear from your attorney and who will be your main point of contact. Ask whether you'll be working directly with the attorney or primarily with paralegals and case managers. Clear expectations about communication from the beginning can prevent frustration later and help you feel informed at every stage of the process.

Are You Prepared to Take My Case to Trial?

Many personal injury cases settle before reaching a courtroom, but the willingness to go to trial can significantly affect how an insurance company approaches negotiations. Ask an attorney directly whether they have experience trying cases in front of a jury, or whether their firm tends to settle cases regardless of the offer on the table. An attorney who is prepared to fight in court often has more leverage at the negotiating table.

How Are Your Fees Structured?

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you don't pay unless they recover compensation for you. Coxwell & Associates offers a lower contingency rate if your case can be settled without filing a legal action.

How Long Have You Practiced in This Area?

Ask how long the attorney has worked in your specific region and how familiar they are with local courts, judges, and insurance companies operating in the area. An attorney with deep local roots often has a better understanding of how cases tend to move through the system and what approaches tend to work with local juries.

Do You Offer a Free Consultation?

Before committing to any attorney, ask whether they offer a free initial consultation. This gives you the opportunity to discuss your case, ask questions, and get a sense of how the attorney communicates, all without financial commitment. It also gives the attorney a chance to review the basic facts of your case and let you know whether they believe you have a valid claim worth pursuing.

What Should You Do With the Answers?

Once you've asked these questions, take time to compare the answers across any attorneys you're considering. Look for consistency, clear explanations, and a genuine willingness to answer your questions in detail rather than vague reassurances. The right attorney should make you feel confident and informed, not rushed or pressured into a decision.

Serving Mississippi Residents with Integrity Since 1980

Coxwell & Associates has been advocating for personal injury clients in Jackson and the surrounding Mississippi areas since 1980. Our firm focuses its practice on personal injury representation, allowing us to stay closely connected to the needs of the people we serve.

We take a family-oriented approach to every case, and our commitment to the community extends beyond legal work, including support for local organizations like Stewpot. We believe in transparency and make our case results available to prospective clients, and we offer both free and virtual consultations to make quality legal help accessible to everyone in our community.

When you ask the questions above, Coxwell & Associates stands ready to answer them clearly and honestly. With decades of experience and a track record of more than $300 million recovered for clients, our firm has built decades of trust throughout Jackson and the surrounding communities.

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer starts with asking the right questions, and Coxwell & Associates is ready to give you honest, clear answers. Contact our legal team today for a free consultation, available in person or virtually, and take the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.