Did you know around the globe, 1.35 million people pass away in car accidents every year? Have you been in a car accident? If you want to find a lawyer, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over how to pick an excellent car accident attorney. We will go over the questions you should ask the lawyer.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
Ask the Lawyer About Their Legal Specialty
You should find out what the lawyer specializes in and if they can handle your particular case.
Different lawyers will often specialize in various legal areas. Make sure you find an attorney who has the proper skills to help you. Find proper car accident lawyers in your area.
Will the Attorney Work on Your Case?
Next, you should find out if the attorney will work on your case or if someone else will handle it. Many people become upset when they hire an attorney and end up dealing with the junior partner.
Junior attorneys will have a lot of skills. But you might have expected the experienced lawyer to handle your case instead.
Ask the Lawyer About Your Case
You should ask the lawyer what they think about your particular case. Do they think you will be able to recover damages or not?
You want to know you can show that the other person was negligent and caused the accident.
Do you not have a solid case? Make sure you ask the lawyer at the beginning if you have a strong chance or not. Then you might want to settle with the insurance company.
How Does the Lawyer Charge for the Case?
Most lawyers will offer to work on a contingency fee basis. They get paid if you win the case. Lawyers who work on a contingency fee will get around 20 percent of the settlement.
If you can’t afford the hourly fees, you should look at getting the contingency fee arrangement.
Even if you hire the lawyer in this manner, you should ask if you’re responsible for any fees. You might have to cover court costs or other expenses as your attorney prepares your case.
Make sure you understand the expenses you’re responsible for from the beginning.
Will the Case Take Long?
Next, you should ask what the attorney thinks about your case. Do they expect it to take a long time, or should it wrap up fairly quickly?
Did you suffer severe injuries after the accident? You might feel overwhelmed by all the medical bills. If you can’t go back to work after the accident, you might be in a severe financial disaster.
Talk to your lawyer and find out how long it would take to resolve the situation. Different factors will affect the length of your case. Yet most lawyers can provide an estimate.
Can You Improve Your Chances?
Next, find out if you can improve the chances of success. Many people believe that once they hire a lawyer, they will see success right away.
Your lawyer will need you to remain proactive. They will ask you to see a few different doctors and talk to investigators. Also, you will have to stay involved in the case until it ends.
Understand that you can’t pass this situation completely to your lawyer. You will need to remain involved in it throughout the length of the case.
Ask About the Lawyer’s Schooling and Experience
Ask the attorney how many car accident victims they represented last year. How many lawsuits did they settle? Did many of the cases head to trial?
Has the lawyer handled cases like yours? What law school did they go to, and when did they graduate. Ask if the lawyer belongs to professional organizations or bar associations.
What Is the Lawyer’s Philosophy?
You should also understand the lawyer’s philosophy. What is their approach to practicing law? How do they handle accident injury cases? Do they have a particular style when they work with clients?
Who Handles Communications?
Ask the lawyer if another attorney will assist with the case. Who will handle negotiations and court appearances? Can you reach out to that particular lawyer each day?
Are other lawyers involved in your case? Who will work on your claim, and what will they do?
Can you receive progress reports, and how often? What will get included in those reports? How is the best way to reach your lawyer, and how fast do they return your call?
At the End of the Meeting
Before your meeting ends, ask the lawyer if there’s anything else you should have discussed. Is the lawyer about to go on vacation?
Ask to speak to previous clients if possible. Once the meeting’s finished, you should spend time thinking about the lawyer.
Do you like the lawyer? What was your first impression? What did you like and dislike? Did the lawyer tell you anything super memorable?
Find an Excellent Car Accident Attorney
We hope this guide on choosing a car accident attorney was helpful. You should ask the lawyer if they have a lot of experience working with cases like yours or not.
Look for someone who sets you at ease and is professional. Find out if other lawyers or junior partners will work on your case.
Are you looking for more legal advice or tips? Stick around and browse our many helpful resources on law and accidents.
