Being a car accident victim is not something anyone can deal with quickly, especially if complex legalities are involved. To help you find some peace of mind through the chaos, you should hire a competent car accident lawyer.
The only issue is choosing the right one to take on your case. Well, it all starts with asking the right questions.
This article lists six questions you must ask a car accident lawyer during the initial consultation. These questions will help you gauge their capabilities and experience to determine if your preferred choice matches your case.
Question 1: What’s Your Experience With Car Accident Cases?
Since you're dealing with a legal crisis, you must be sure the lawyer you rely on has enough legal experience to draw upon. Their response will help you evaluate how familiar they are with the nuances of car accident cases.
Are they aware of the state's statute of limitations for filing such claims? Are they familiar with the process of dealing with insurance companies? What potential challenges could arise during the case, and how do they plan on handling them?
Question 2: What Is Your Strategy for My Case?
Once you've established, the attorney has experience with car accidents; the next question should be about their proposed strategy.
While the lawyer may not predict the exact course of your case, they should provide a general roadmap detailing an investigation, how to deal with insurance, negotiating a settlement, and preparing for trial (if necessary).
Question 3: What Is Your Fee Structure?
As in any client-service provider relationship, you must understand how your lawyer will charge before making your final decision. Do they charge an hourly rate? Or do they work on a contingency fee basis?
Be sure to discuss in detail their fee structure, including any upfront costs, the percentage they take if you win, and what costs you'll be responsible for if you lose so you can budget for legal expenses and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Question 4: How Do You Intend to Communicate?
You need to feel confident that your lawyer will not leave you in the dark and will be available when you need them. As such, you must look into their communication style and policies.
Ask them how often you can expect updates and what means they intend to use to contact you - email, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, etc.
Question 5: How Long Could My Case Potentially Take?
The truth is, it’s not possible to tell precisely how long a case can take. A lawyer promising a quick result may not be realistic, or they might be planning to rush your case without giving it the attention it deserves. But an experienced car accident lawyer should be able to provide a rough timeline based on their experience based on factors such as:
- The complexity of your case
- Their caseload
- Court system
Question 6: What Is Your Success Rate?
Past success shouldn’t serve as a guarantee of future results, but their success rate can serve as an accurate indication of their abilities. You must also remember that each case's dynamics are unique, and predicting exact outcomes is not impossible.
That said, try and find out what success means to the lawyer. Is it a favorable settlement, a win at trial, or simply a case resolution?
Summing It Up
Once you've asked these six critical questions, take some time to reflect on the responses and how the lawyer made you feel. Did they listen carefully to your needs? Did they communicate clearly and effectively? Did they seem trustworthy, knowledgeable, and experienced?
Take your time to assess all the information you've gathered and consult with others if needed because this is someone you'll be working closely with (possibly for an extended period).
