Ask These 5 Questions When You Meet Your Car Accident Lawyer
After getting into a car accident, the decision on whether or not to hire a lawyer can make a very big difference when it comes to getting fair compensation. However, not all attorneys are the same. Choosing the right one for your case requires careful evaluation.
A good lawyer should be able to view your case from a unique perspective and answer all the most common questions about car accidents you may have. Before hiring a lawyer, take time to inquire about their fees, how they will approach your case and their experience. Keep reading to discover five questions you must ask your car accident lawyer.
1. What Is Your Experience with Car Accident Cases?
Not all personal injury lawyers specialize in car accidents. To ensure you are hiring the right attorney to handle your case, inquire about their experience with cases that were very similar to yours. On the same note, find out for how long they have been practicing and what percentage of their cases involved car accidents.
Additionally, ask about their success rate. Did they win significant settlements? Have they taken any cases to trial? What percentage of the trial cases resulted in a win?
A lawyer with a good and strong track record in car accident claims will be better equipped to handle insurance negotiations and court proceedings than someone who is a inexperienced.
2. What Are Your Fees and Payment Structure?
Legal fees are a major concern to accident victims, with good reason. Most care accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid after winning the case. However, it’s important to understand the details about the payment structure they are using.
Ask about what percentage they will take from the settlement and if you will be responsible for any upfront costs. Additionally, inquire about court fees or expert witness costs, as the last thing you want is to bear unexpected costs.
3. What Challenges Do You See in My Case?
No one wants to go into a case blind. So, it is important to know what obstacles you may face and prepare accordingly. Ask the attorney to evaluate your case and provide an honest assessment of how strong or weak your case is.
Some potential challenges you could face include:
- Disputes over liability
- Low settlement offers from insurance companies
- Difficulty proving any damages
A skilled attorney should be able to identify these issues early enough and come up with a strategy to overcome them.
4. How Long Will My Case Take?
Car accident cases can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on how complex the case is and the parties involved. Even though a lawyer cannot guarantee a specific timeline, they should still be able to give you an estimate based on their experience in dealing with similar cases.
Ask about other factors that could speed or delay the process; for example, settlement negotiations, insurance disputes or litigation. Having a rough idea of the timeline can help you plan accordingly.
5. How Will You Keep Me Updated About My Case?
Communication is key, including in car accidents. One of the biggest frustrations most victims or clients in general have is dealing with lawyers with poor communication. Therefore, before hiring an attorney, ask how often they will update you on your case and what methods they prefer. Will they be using phone calls, emails, or in-person meetings?
Also, find out if you will be communicating directly with the lawyer or their staff, such as paralegals.
Conclusion
Choosing the right car accident lawyer can greatly affect your case. By asking these five essential questions, you can be somewhat sure that you are dealing with an experienced and transparent attorney.
