Make an appointment to talk to the lawyer. Bring a list of questions with you, and documentation you might have and a trusted friend or family member if you aren’t comfortable going it alone. A reputable attorney would not have a problem with this. Ask questions not just about your case, but about your attorney’s experience with personal injury claims and trials.

You do not, repeat do not, have to sign the contract right away. You can talk to another lawyer or two or even just take a day to think about it and make an appointment to come back and sign the contract if you choose them.

Here are a few more things to watch for:

• Fees. How much is the lawyer going to take of the settlement? It shouldn’t be an excessive amount.

• Honesty. Do you get a sense he is overinflating your potential award settlement or chance of winning to get you as a client? Like the saying goes, if sounds good to be true if probably is. That’s not to say that you don’t have a good case, but an experienced lawyer knows that most companies won’t sit quietly by as you sue them. He or she should let you know honestly what to expect.

• Quality. Does your lawyer answer all your questions so that you understand them or do you feel rushed through? You want to work with someone who is willing to get all the details and to work with you to get what you deserve. You don’t want a lawyer with a thousand clients, giving a half effort because he’s happy if a few of the lawsuits get paid.