7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

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Did you know that more than six million car accidents happen each year in the United States of America? One of the best things to do after you’ve been in a car accident is to hire a car accident attorney to represent you. All parties involved will want to do everything in their power to pin the blame elsewhere, so it’s best to hire a car accident attorney to take your case.

Finding a lawyer in your area might sound like a great idea, but you need to do your research and ask the right questions when you decide to hire a lawyer after your accident. The good news is that you’re in the perfect place to learn all about the questions that you should ask after you’ve been.

Keep reading this article to learn more!

1. How Long Does the Claim Process Take?

It’s a big mistake to go into the claim process after your car accident anticipating that things get resolved in a quick and timely manner. The goal is to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible so that all parties can move on with their lives. It’s a good idea to talk with your car accident attorney to get a realistic time frame for how long the process could take.

Your lawyer should have enough experience to know how long the process will take and when you can expect the money from your car accident settlement. Keep in mind that the attorney’s caseload and resources could result in delays. Don’t be afraid to ask the attorney if they have the time and resources to handle your car accident case.

2. How Will I Pay You?

Always avoid working with attorneys that are charging hourly rates for their help and service. Some car accident cases result in months of delays and hoops to jump through. Your compensation from your car accident is unlikely to cover the amount of money that you’d owe to an attorney that is working on an hourly basis.

Ask if they charge a flat fee or whether they take a percentage of your compensation as their pay. The best car accident lawyer works using contingency fees. These fees mean that you won’t owe the lawyer anything unless they win your car accident case.

3. Have You Handled a Car Accident Case Like Mine?

Another good thing to ask the car accident lawyer is whether they’ve handled cases like yours in the past. It’s much easier to move forward with confidence and hire a lawyer if you know that they’ve handled and won cases that were similar to yours during their legal career.

Look for a car accident attorney that has experience with a wide variety of collisions. It’s best to find one that has handled pedestrian cases, bicycle cases, Lyft accidents, and more. The lawyer should have a strong understanding of the local rules and regulations that apply when someone is involved in a car accident, but you can always find out more to make the best decision possible.

4. What Is Your Experience Level?

You also need to ask them about their experience level if you want to give yourself a good shot at winning your car accident case. Find out about the awards that they’ve won as an attorney, and ask them if they will handle your case personally or if a different attorney will work with you.

Don’t be afraid to ask how often this car accident attorney goes to trial for car accidents and other issues. The years of experience that they have trying car accident cases are also important and relevant to consider. Out-of-court settlements are another topic that is worth bringing to the table when you meet with your attorney for the first time.

5. What Do I Need to Do?

It’s also normal to wonder what your role is in everything after you hire a lawyer to help you out with your car accident case. In most cases, all that you’ll need to do is communicate with your attorney. You will get to ignore the insurance adjusters since they’ll be working with your attorney to determine who is owed what.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to give your attorney all of the details of what happened to cause the accident. Any medical records from your injuries are also required in order for the attorney to try your car accident case. Auto repair bills and lost wages are also worth noting in order to get the money that you’re owed.

6. How Will This Impact My Car Insurance?

The more car accidents that you’re involved in the more you can expect your monthly insurance payments to climb. Getting in touch with your car accident attorney is a great strategy to use if you’re hoping to keep your insurance payments down.

Most car insurance companies will want you to fill out a form documenting the costs of your car’s damage as well as the money that you paid for medical treatment. Failure to file your claim the right way could result in you not getting the money that you deserve. Your attorney should be able to determine if you were at fault and give you a heads-up that your insurance payments will increase.

7. Do I Pay Lawyer Fees if I Lose?

The best car accident attorney will operate using a contingency fee rather than an hourly rate. If you don’t receive a settlement after your car accident then you shouldn’t have to pay your lawyer anything for their service. It is possible that you’ll get some court fees that the attorney handled on their own, so be prepared to pay something for court fees.

Now You’re Ready to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

A large part of hiring the right car accident lawyer is knowing the right questions to ask when you meet with them. It’s a good idea to ask about how they get paid, and it’s also important to ask about how your car insurance will get impacted. You should also ask about their experience with car accident cases like yours before hiring them.

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