Ask your car accident lawyer several questions, including, “Why are you qualified to lead my case?” By asking the right questions, you will hire the right attorney. By hiring the right attorney, you may receive the compensation you deserve for your accident-related damages.
Before you complete a free consultation, you should prepared your questions. You should also have questions ready during your case.
Questions to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer Before Hiring Them
As you evaluate lawyers to lead your car accident case, consider asking prospective lawyers:
- Are car accident cases an important practice area for your firm?
Car accidents are a bread-and-butter practice area for many personal injury firms. However, never assume that a law firm handles (or prioritizes) car accident cases.
Ask the law firm if car accident cases are an important practice area for their firm. If the firm does not regularly handle car accident cases, you may continue looking for a law firm that does.
- What case results have you achieved in car accident cases?
Law firms often post case results on their websites. If a law firm does not post their results, ask their representative about case results they have achieved for car accident victims.
You may prefer to hire a law firm with a long track record of obtaining substantial settlements and verdicts for car accident victims.
- What fee structure do you use?
Most car accident lawyers use contingency fees. This fee structure does not require the client to pay any upfront fees or costs to the law firm. Rather, the law firm only receives a fee if it secures compensation for the client.
Ask a law firm’s representative if they use a contingency fee structure before hiring that firm.
- Which lawyer will be leading my case?
The lawyer who leads your case can directly determine the outcome.
Even if a firm cannot tell you exactly which lawyer will lead your case, it should assure you that:
- A specific attorney will have the task of winning your case
- You can contact your lawyer whenever you need
- Your case will be a priority to your lawyer
A firm may explain that one of several lawyers can handle your case. You may review a firm’s attorney profiles and request that a specific attorney represent you, should you wish to.
- What resources will you invest in my case?
One of the most common motivations for hiring a car accident lawyer is accessing the firm’s resources. A law firm should spare no expense on behalf of your case.
You may ask a firm if it will:
- Hire investigators to gather evidence
- Hire experts to reconstruct the accident or provide other services
- Assign paralegals and other support staff to assist with the case
- Invest any other necessary resources in pursuit of a financial recovery
A law firm must prioritize your case, which means investing time, energy, personnel, and financial resources into the claim or lawsuit.
- Will you take my case to trial if necessary?
Though most car accident cases settle, many clients have received compensation after taking their cases to court. Sometimes, liable parties refuse to pay the car accident victim they deserve. In these cases, going to trial is often necessary.
Ask a prospective law firm how frequently it takes cases to trial and whether it will take your case to trial if necessary.
- Why should I hire your firm for my car accident case?
A law firm can explain why it is suitable for your case. Don’t hesitate to ask a law firm directly: Why should I choose your firm?
Clients make law firms go, and you must understand that your case has value. Your choice of a law firm is critically important, so don’t hesitate to ask important and uncomfortable questions before hiring a firm.
Questions to Ask Your Lawyer as Your Car Accident Case Unfolds
You should not stop asking questions once you hire a law firm. As your case unfolds, you want to keep tabs on the claims and legal processes, and you may ask your lawyer:
- What is the value of my damages?
You must know what your accident-related damages are worth to evaluate your settlement offers. You can ask your lawyer to explain what your damages are worth.
The more serious your injuries are, the more expensive your damages. Your settlement or verdict should reflect the total economic and non-economic damages cost.
- How do you plan to recover the compensation I deserve?
Lawyers can file insurance claims or lawsuits. They can settle or fight for a financial recovery at trial. As the plaintiff, you should understand your lawyer’s strategy and receive frequent updates as your case unfolds.
Do not hesitate to ask about the plan for your case or to reach out when you want to check on your case’s status.
- Will you inform me of any settlement offers I receive?
Your car accident lawyer should review all settlement offers with you. When you receive an offer, your lawyer should also explain whether they believe it is fair.
- When do we determine if the trial is necessary?
Your lawyer will likely exhaust settlement negotiations before considering a trial. However, as your case progresses, the possibility of trial may become more realistic.
When settlement negotiations end, your lawyer should clearly understand whether the trial will be necessary.
- What should I do as you lead my case for compensation?
While your lawyer may have specific advice, car accident lawyers generally advise their clients to:
- Receive extensive medical care and document all treatment
- Follow your doctor’s orders
- Allow your lawyer to handle all case-related responsibilities
- Call your lawyer if insurers or others involved in your case contact you
Your lawyer will have a specific plan for your case, so they may have more detailed advice to follow.
What Should I Look for as I Search for a Car Accident Lawyer?
Before you can ask a law firm questions, you must determine that the firm is worth your consideration.
When conducting your search for a law firm, consider:
- Practice areas: If a law firm does not feature car accident cases prominently on its website, you may keep searching for a law firm that does. Enough personal injury firms focus on car accidents that you have options. You do not have to settle for a firm that considers car accidents a secondary practice area.
- Case results: A law firm’s case results are closest to a legal report card. Most firms publish case results on their website. Look for the number and amount of financial recoveries a law firm has secured for car accident victims.
- Client reviews: Law firms can make many promises, but clients know if a law firm delivers. Scour Google and other review forums to determine if a law firm is worthy of your trust.
- Firm size: A law firm’s size does not necessarily determine how effective it will be. However, some clients may prefer a larger firm with more substantial resources. Other clients may prefer a smaller firm known for highly personal legal services.
- Experiences from those you know: If you know someone who has had representation by a car accident firm you’re considering, ask about their experience. You may factor an acquaintance’s positive or negative experience into your search.
While a law firm’s primary mission is securing compensation, you want a law firm treats you with respect and offers personal attention.
Top Reasons to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
There are many reasons to hire a car accident lawyer, and some of the most common are:
- Law firms’ resources: Car accident lawyers pay the cost of their clients’ cases up front. The firm only receives a fee if they win, so they are motivated to invest substantial resources into their cases. Because of the no-win, no-fee structure, clients have no financial risk when they hire a lawyer.
- Lawyers’ experience: Many car accident victims don’t understand insurance claims and lawsuits. Having a lawyer with years of legal experience can be priceless.
- Accident victims’ health: Make recovery your priority after a car accident. If you take on the demands of a lawsuit or claim, you will delay your recovery. Even worse, you may develop permanent disabilities or new symptoms due to the stress of your case.
- The stakes of car accident cases: Car accident cases can involve tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars. If you fail to get the compensation you deserve, you may personally face crippling financial costs. Therefore, hire the lawyer best positioned to get the money you deserve.
While the right lawyer can help with any car accident case, accidents involving severe injuries are especially ripe for a lawyer’s help. For example, a spinal cord injury can cost the victim more than $1 million in the first year alone, meaning such victims should recover greatly.
When dealing with injuries and other responsibilities, having a lawyer take your case off your hands makes sense.
What Will a Car Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
Your car accident lawyer will work long hours to secure your financial recovery. This requires your attorney to oversee every detail of your insurance claim or lawsuit, and they will:
Establish Liability for Your Damages
Your lawyer will determine why your accident happened and identify who is liable for the collision.
Some common causes of car accidents include:
- Drunk driving, which claims one life every 45 minutes in the United States
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Distracted driving
- Defective vehicles
- Dangerous road conditions
Multiple parties may be financially responsible for your car accident.
Calculating and Documenting Damages from the Car Accident
Experienced attorneys are familiar with the cost of car accidents, but each client has unique damages.
Your lawyer will calculate and document each of your unique damages and may do so using:
- Your account of pain and suffering
- A mental health expert’s diagnosis of your pain and suffering
- A doctor’s diagnosis of physical injuries
- Medical records and bills
- Bills for vehicle repairs
- Invoices for temporary transportation
- Any other proof of your accident-related damages
The more documentation your lawyer can secure, the stronger your case will be.
Leading Settlement Negotiations
Settlement negotiations are a vital stage of every car accident case. By presenting evidence of liability and proof of your damages and their calculation of your damages, your lawyer may convince liable parties to pay you fairly.
Negotiations may take time, as liable parties will likely resist paying all the compensation you deserve. A capable lawyer will stand pat, insisting you receive the entire financial recovery you deserve.
Handling Any Necessary Trial
If your car accident case results in a trial, your lawyer will:
- File the lawsuit with the appropriate court
- Explore last-ditch opportunities to negotiate a settlement
- Prepare for trial
- Present and question witnesses
- Cross-examine the defense’s witnesses
- Present evidence of negligence and provide proper context
- Make a comprehensive argument for the compensation you deserve
Trials can be complicated and costly, but an experienced lawyer will prepare for every challenge a trial presents.
Recoverable Damages for a Car Accident Victim
Your recoverable damages are the focus of your case. Your lawyers will gauge their performance based on their ability to secure the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney may seek compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs
- Replacing damaged property
- Replacing a totaled vehicle
- Lost income
- Diminished earning power
- Pain and suffering
- Medications (for both physical injuries and psychological harm)
- Counseling (if you need it)
- Medical bills
Your lawyer will investigate your damages, create a detailed account of your losses, and pursue all of the compensation you deserve.
Hire Your Car Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible
Your lawyer will generally face filing deadlines for a car accident case. You should not wait to hire your personal injury lawyer; they will file your case and gather evidence as soon as possible. Time is of the essence, so act now.