7 Questions to Consider Before Choosing an Indiana Personal Injury Attorney

You need to choose a lawyer.

More specifically, you were involved in a car accident and need to hire an Indiana personal injury attorney. According to the Indiana Bar Association, there are more than 15,000 attorneys in the Hoosier state.

You’ve seen personal injury attorney advertisements on television, billboards, busses, and everywhere in between.

With so many choices, where do you start?

Before hiring the first attorney that comes to mind, Boulton Law Group recommends you consider the following 7 questions.

Should I choose a law firm in Indianapolis or close to the city I’m from?

According to attorney Matt Boulton, location should never be the only consideration.

In fact, modern times make it possible for clients to hire an attorney and have their case resolved without ever having to leave home.

For example, let’s say a person from Evansville, Indiana is injured in a car accident near Lafayette, Indiana while traveling to Chicago on I-65. As a result of their injuries, they were eventually airlifted to an Indianapolis-area hospital.

Despite the various locales involved in this scenario, the accident victim is free to choose any personal injury attorney throughout the state of Indiana.

Specifically, attorney Boulton never expects an accident victim or their family to be inconvenienced during time that should be devoted to physical and mental recovery. As such, if a client wishes to meet with him, he is happy to visit them at their preferred destination.

Does the attorney focus exclusively on Indiana personal injury law?

While Indiana is home to more than 15,000 attorneys, this number includes legal professionals in a variety of practice areas, including criminal matters, family law, DUI’s, etc.

As such, it’s important to select an attorney that devotes 100% of his or her practice to Indiana personal injury cases.

For example, attorney Boulton focuses exclusively on the following case types:

• Car accidents
• Semi-truck accidents
• Motorycle accidents
• Dog bite injuies
• Slip and fall accidents
• Wrongful death lawsuits
• Negligent security injuries
• Nursing home abuse

Indiana’s personal injury laws are complex and subject to change without notice. Hiring an attorney dedicated to personal injury law helps to ensure nothing pertinent to your case falls between the cracks.

How long has the attorney been practicing law in Indiana?

The more experience an attorney has with Indiana personal injury law, the more likely they are to have handled cases similar to your own.

Experience can also make a difference with regard to understanding the habits of various insurance companies, Indiana’s court systems, and the state’s history of legal rulings and outcomes.

Attorney Boulton’s 25+ years of Indiana personal injury experience serves as an asset to his clients. It’s this experience that has led him to recover compensation for the injuries and losses of Hoosiers throughout the state.

Does the attorney work on a contingency fee basis?

Attorney Boulton is often asked how much it costs to hire Boulton Law Group. The quick answer is “absolutely nothing.”

In fact, the Boulton Law Group works for each of its clients on a contingency fee basis. It means you pay zero up front and owe the firm absolutely nothing unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

A trusted and reputable attorney should detail their specific legal fees in the legal retainer. The personal injury retainer agreement is an official document that signifies the attorney-client relationship.

In addition to the attorney’s fee structure, the agreement will include various other terms and conditions that should be carefully reviewed before signing or hiring an attorney.

Trial experience – Is the attorney trial-tested?

A main reason Indiana accident victims hire personal injury attorneys is to level the playing field against the insurance company. This becomes especially evident in cases that require a lawsuit.

You can be sure the insurance company will have high-priced lawyers representing their interests, so nowhere is it more important to have an attorney on your side than when inside a courtroom.

Insurance companies are aware of an attorney’s trial experience and his or her success rate. If they aren’t concerned with the attorney’s ability to win at trial, they may be more likely to offer a settlement that is less than what you deserve.

Does the attorney increase their legal fee if your case goes to trial?

It’s no secret that personal injury trials can be expensive. In addition to their extended time and complexity, they may also require the assistance of various expert witnesses as well as other strategic expenses.

As such, some personal injury attorneys may elect to charge a higher fee for cases that require a lawsuit.

For example, a firm’s legal retainer may state their fee is 33% of the total recovery for a case settled without the need for litigation, however, that fee increases to 40% if the case goes to trial.

This distinction should be clearly stated in the retainer and agreed upon BEFORE you sign or hire your attorney.

Were you promised a specific amount of money or outcome?

Ethical guidelines prohibit Indiana’s personal injury attorneys from promising or guaranteeing results. That said, if an attorney says they know exactly what your case is worth, it may be in your best interest to look elsewhere.

No matter the lawyer’s name, accomplishments, or years of experience, it’s impossible (and unethical) to predict the specific outcome of a personal injury claim.

About Boulton Law Group

Led by attorney Matt Boulton, the Boulton Law Group is an Indiana personal injury firm dedicated to helping accident victims recover compensation for their injuries.

Attorney Boulton designed the firm for Hoosiers seeking a personal solution to their legal needs. Specifically, he provides each client with a custom legal strategy to fits their individual needs.

Additionally, Boulton Law Group provides injured Hoosiers with a Zero Fee Guarantee, meaning there is never a consultation fee, nor do you owe the firm any money unless compensation is recovered on your behalf.

To learn more about your legal rights and case options, please use our confidential, free contact form.