Have you recently been involved in a car accident and are unsure of the proper process for hiring a lawyer? Do you find it overwhelming to figure out how to find the right lawyer for your case? If so, then you need a few questions to ask as you search for a car accident attorney.
Doing so can help you find the right fit for your case. Rather than going through the entire process uncertain of whether you made the right choice, you can have confidence in your lawyer, which is so important.
See below for several questions that you can ask to find the right attorney to represent you in your case.
1. Do You Specialize in Car Accidents?
This is a critical question to start things off. Too many people make the mistake of hiring a lawyer that specializes in other areas because they’re a close connection or a family member.
Doing so can sabotage your own case. Since they’ll be going up against someone that knows the processes for your local car accident court like the back of their hand.
Here’s a common misconception that people make: they think that personal injury is an all-inclusive area of law. It’s not. There are many different aspects to personal injury such as slip and falls, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and so much more.
Whenever you reach out to a trusted car accident attorney, be sure to ask if they specialize in car accident cases. Have them tell you a story or two about the clients that they’ve represented in car accident cases.
Better yet, what does their experience tell them about your case? Should you pursue legal action? What’s the best route to take? What would they recommend you do if you were to hire them for your car accident case?
2. What Are Your Thoughts on My Case?
When you initially meet with the car accident lawyer, you’ll want to get a feel for how they perceive your case. This is when you can gauge whether or not they’re the right ones for you to hire.
Layout as many details as you wish about the car accident and what occurred. After telling the story, be sure to ask some questions to see what their thoughts are about your case moving forward.
How long do they think the timeline would take if you pursued compensation? Off the top, what do they think are the strong parts of your case? What do they think could work against you? Do they foresee the case going to trial or getting settled beforehand?
Lastly, what amount of compensation would they have you go after? How did they come up with that number? It’s always in your best interest to understand your attorney’s way of thinking. This will help communication come naturally and easily.
Too often, a lawyer will actually back out of the case because they and their client aren’t seeing eye to eye. By asking these questions before hiring them, you’ll avoid that problem altogether.
3. What Are Your Fees?
So many people are hesitant to ask about pricing, but it’s an important conversation to have. You want to make sure the attorney you hire is compensated well, but still charges you a fair rate for their expertise.
Simply throw the question out there from the get-go. What are their fees and how much should you expect them to charge for my services. Most lawyers charge on an hourly basis, so you’ll be able to keep track of the amount you can expect to pay.
Remember, the pricing can fluctuate depending on the lawyer’s experience level and the severity of your case, as well as a number of other factors.
Have them give you an estimate of what you can expect to pay after all of the fees (court and lawyer) are added. That way, you can start saving up to pay them off or apply for a pre-settlement loan to pay it off while you await the outcome of your case.
4. What Are the Next Steps if I Hire You?
A big reason that you need an experienced lawyer is for the guidance that they can offer you throughout this process. They can tell you how to handle the case moving forward.
Your lawyer will also take over the reins for communication with the opposition in mediations and help you compile evidence to strengthen your case.
Whenever you ask this question, they should give you a better understanding of the next steps you can expect. Understandably, they might not reveal their entire plan until you officially hire them.
5. How Would You Keep Me in the Loop?
You should never have to be in the dark on your own case. The attorney that you hire should always keep you in the loop with where they’re at and what you can expect.
Ask them how they plan to offer you updates on your case. What’s the best way(s) for you to reach out to them? Are they going to oversee every aspect of your case or delegate to other people at their firm?
Be sure you have an understanding of what events they’ll attend. For example, are they going to be there for all your court appearances? negotiation meetings?
Find the Perfect Car Accident Attorney for Your Case
Now that you have seen what questions you need to ask while you look around for the right car accident attorney, it’s time to start your search!
Be sure to read this article to get a few driving safety tips you can use while traveling for the holidays, wherever you may be headed.
For more inquiries, please feel free to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
