Personal injuries occur in many ways and sometimes include criminal charges against one or more parties. For example, if you find yourself in a DUI accident, you could suffer from a personal injury or potentially face criminal charges if you're at fault. According to RMD Law, the number of personal injury cases rose by 97% in 2020. Here are four questions you should ask a personal injury or defense attorney before retaining one.

1. Do You Charge a Contingent Fee?

A personal injury attorney typically will assess a case and either choose to represent the individual or decline the case. If you have a strong case, the attorney might offer a contingent fee, which means the attorney is paid only if you win a settlement that usually is paid by an insurer. A criminal attorney likely will require a retainer and have other expenses you might need to pay upfront if you face criminal charges.

2. Have You Successfully Handled Similar Cases?

A personal injury or defense attorney should be experienced in handling cases similar to yours. You never want your case to be the first of its kind that an attorney has handled. An experienced attorney with a history of success and the ability to uphold your legal rights is an asset for anyone dealing with personal injury or legal defense cases. An experienced attorney is also less likely to make mistakes or miss any court filing deadlines that might compromise your case.

3. How Strong Is My Case?

A personal injury or defense attorney should have a good idea about the strengths and weaknesses of your case. They can't guarantee or even promise a specific outcome, but an experienced attorney can help you build and present the strongest possible case. Whether you are filing insurance claims, pressing a case in court, or defending yourself against criminal charges, an experienced attorney helps to uphold your legal rights.

4. What Kinds of Evidence Do You Need?

You should bring all the evidence you have to an initial consultation for an attorney to review. That will give them a good idea of your case and its strengths and weaknesses in a court of law. The attorney also should have a good idea of which types of evidence could strengthen your case to get the best possible legal outcome.

If you need legal assistance, contact Steven J. Moore, LLC. Our team can help you with a variety of cases, including personal injuries, vehicle accidents, criminal defense, and more. Call us today to learn more and schedule a free consultation.