Following an injury of any type, it's advantageous to seek the services of an attorney whose practice specifically focuses on personal injury cases. With this legal expert on your side, you'll gain an understanding of the next steps you should take as well as have a valuable ally in your corner as you go through the process of getting ready to file the case. While it's ideal to hire an attorney promptly, it's also good to speak to a few different attorneys before you sign any paperwork. This initial meeting gives you the chance to learn each attorney's credentials and also cover topics such as these three. 

Settlement Versus Trial

One of the most important matters to discuss before you hire the attorney is to get a sense of whether you can expect an early settlement offer for your case or whether it's more likely that you'll end up going to trial. Even though each personal injury case is unique, the attorney will often be able to give you an estimate about this topic based on his or her years of representing clients in similar situations. This discussion also opens the door to follow-up topics, such as the likely amount of any settlement and the purported length of a trial. 

Weaknesses Of The Case

Even though you might wish to think of your case as rock solid, it's worthwhile to ask the attorney if he or she sees any weaknesses in the story you've told. Gaining this knowledge early in your discussion will help push you in the direction of moving forward with your case, hoping for a quick settlement or, in rare instances, perhaps even abandoning it altogether. Remember, you're not a legal expert and it takes an experienced attorney to point out where your case is lacking.

Next Steps To Take

Talking to each attorney about the next steps that he or she would recommend that you take helps you understand the process of going through a personal injury case while also reveals the attorney who appears to have the best plan for representing you. Look for someone who would provide you with a list of experts to visit, including medical professionals who can thoroughly examine the nature of your injuries to offer support to the case. A personal injury attorney who can lay out a sequential series of steps shows him or herself to be adequately prepared for your case and is often worthy of your business.