Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer. Your car accident lawyer will be one of the most important people in your life following accident
Your car accident lawyer will be one of the most important people in your life following an accident. When you hire the right car accident lawyer, they’ll fight to get you back on your feet again as quickly as possible while keeping you protected from insurance companies who would rather settle out of court than take the time to find out what really happened during the accident. If you have any questions at all about hiring a car accident lawyer, make sure to ask these ten questions before making your decision about who to hire.
1) Are you licensed in my state?
The first thing you'll want to do is find out if your lawyer is licensed in your state. Make sure they're familiar with your local laws and that they have a track record of success. Also be sure you hire an attorney who will represent you exclusively, not one who plans on sharing you with other clients. If possible, find someone who only handles car accident cases or one who has experience handling auto insurance claims. These types of lawyers are best equipped to fight for your rights and seek compensation for any damages or losses suffered as a result of an accident. If a lawyer isn't focused solely on auto accidents, he might lack crucial experience and know-how required for handling all aspects of car accidents from start to finish, from initial investigation through litigation. It's also important to make sure your lawyer is experienced in representing clients just like you. For example, if you were injured because of another driver's negligence, make sure your lawyer has experience dealing with personal injury lawsuits involving negligent drivers. If it turns out they don't have much experience working with people like you, consider hiring someone else. It's also a good idea to ask about their past results and what kind of outcomes they've helped their previous clients achieve.
2) What percentage do you charge?
One of your first questions should be how much your lawyer charges, and you can’t ask them until after you’ve talked about all of their qualifications. And that’s because many lawyers have what is called a contingency fee agreement. That means they only get paid if they win, so it won’t cost you anything up front. The amount most lawyers charge for an accident like yours depends on a number of factors. While rates vary, contingency fees typically fall between 25 and 35 percent. So, if you have a $20,000 case, your lawyer would charge around $5,000 to $7,500—but again, it will depend on where you live and what kind of case it is. If your lawyer has a flat rate, you’ll know exactly how much it costs from day one. But, keep in mind that flat rates aren’t common with car accidents. Instead, lawyers usually charge by hour or by project. You might pay anywhere from $100 to $300 per hour or $1,000 to $3,000 for each project (like filing paperwork). If you want more information about legal fees in general before talking with a lawyer, check out our guide here .
3) Do you do contingency fee cases?
One of your biggest questions will be, Do you take contingency fee cases? Contingency fees are a win-win proposition: You pay nothing unless you win your case. If you do win, then your lawyer takes a percentage of your settlement or award as payment for his or her services. In some states, lawyers can't work on contingency, but most will work for you on a contingency fee basis if it's allowed under state law. And remember, even if you don't have money to pay an attorney up front, in many states an attorney may still agree to work with you on a contingent basis—in fact they may be more willing than in non-contingency cases. If you're not sure whether your lawyer is willing to handle your case on a contingency basis, ask.
4) Are you available at all times?
Before you make your final decision on which lawyer is best for you, make sure that they’re available at all times. There’s nothing worse than waking up in a hospital bed with no way of getting in touch with your lawyer. Trust me, it’s happened before. You need to know that they are around and will be able to answer any questions or concerns you have right away. This can actually save you money in the long run if something else comes up later on in your case. You want a lawyer who you know has your back and is looking out for your best interests. Don’t settle for anything less.
5) Do you keep my personal information confidential?
Make sure you know how much confidentiality your lawyer is able to provide. They might not be able to tell you everything, but they should at least explain how they’ll protect your information. If a lawyer is willing to meet with you personally and wants to answer all of your questions (including those about fees), that's a good sign. It means they care about transparency and want their clients involved in important decisions about their case.
6) Do you have experience handling my type of case?
If you’ve been in a car accident, one of your first priorities should be to find an attorney. Even if you have health insurance and aren’t going through major financial hardship, you still may want to take action against those who caused your injuries. And no matter what kind of injuries you sustained or how much money is at stake, choosing an attorney is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll make regarding your case. Before signing on with anyone, there are a few things you should ask: Are they familiar with handling cases like yours? Do they have experience handling similar kinds of cases? How long have they been practicing law? What are their credentials?
7) How long will it take to resolve my case?
This is one of your most important questions and you should ask it before choosing a lawyer. Some lawyers charge on an hourly basis, while others work on contingency. You might be able to find out how long a case similar to yours took by asking your lawyer if they have examples or case histories in their firm’s past cases that would be similar enough for comparison purposes. It is important for you as a client not only because it helps you understand their experience but also because it gives you a sense of how much time and work will go into handling your case from start to finish. If your lawyer tells you that it depends or cannot give any clear information about how long it will take, then consider going with another attorney who can answer more directly.
8) Will I pay costs or fees up front?
Many car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you will not have to pay them for their services unless you win your case. If you don’t win, your lawyer won’t charge anything. Of course, it is best practice to ask what your costs will be in advance of retaining counsel—knowing up front what potential fees might be can help make a good decision about hiring an attorney much easier. In addition, finding out if any of your fees or costs could be paid by a third party (like your own insurance company) can save money and frustration down the road.
9) How can I be sure you’re working hard on my case every day?
Whether you’re a new client or an old one, you should be regularly asking your attorney how he or she is progressing with your case. It may seem like a silly question at first, but it can help put your mind at ease. After all, you wouldn’t want to be in a position where you don’t know what’s going on with your case and your lawyer isn’t letting you know what their schedule looks like or why they aren’t updating you right away. If something seems fishy, try asking additional questions until everything checks out. Also, if they ever ask for money up front before working on your case, that's definitely a red flag.
10) Where will we go if we need to talk about my case in person?
A lawyer who can offer help when it's needed is always more reliable than one who just takes your money and leaves you high and dry. It's a good idea to ask your potential lawyer how they prefer you to communicate with them. Do they respond quickly by email? Or do they prefer phone calls? How long should you wait before expecting a response? And, maybe most importantly, where will we go if we need to talk about my case in person? Will there be an office waiting for us? Or will we have to find our own way there in case of an emergency situation? Once again, it's all about reliability. Make sure your lawyer can help you no matter what happens next!
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