Terri Ramsey Beavers Each year in the United States, an average of six million car accidents take place. An estimated ninety people die each day as a result of these motor vehicle crashes. Even when there are no injuries, 72% of crashes result in some amount of property damage.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident or if your property was damaged as a result, you could be entitled to compensation. Before you can plead your case in a court of law, though, you’ll have to find a car accident lawyer to represent you.
How do you know which car accident law firm to choose? One of the best ways to narrow down your options is by asking these four questions to every potential candidate.
1. What Is Your Experience With Similar Cases?
While it may be clear that a lawyer near you specializes as a car accident attorney, it’s still best to briefly describe your case on a phone call or email and ask them about their experience with similar cases. For instance, you may have had an accident due to tire blowout. In such a case, you may click here to read more how your car accident attorney can help you. Or maybe you have been hit by a truck then the truck accident attorneys help you understand this process far better than any other type of lawyer. Why is this important?
Some attorneys brand themselves as general personal injury lawyers but have extensive experience handling vehicle injury cases. Others may claim to be the best car accident lawyer around but have never handled a lawsuit with details similar to yours. Finding out about their experience and track record early on will give you a better idea of your chances of success in court. If it is the right professional to hire, the lawyer should answer your questions easily and clearly.
2. What Is the Timeline for a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Legal cases tend to drag on for weeks, months, or even years. Unfortunately, if you’re saddled with medical bills, car payments, or even funeral costs, you might not have long before your finances become a real burden.
Ask specifically about the average timeline for cases like yours and if there’s anything you can do to expedite the process. In a blog post on their site, the accident experts at Sweet Lawyers outline the information you should gather post-crash. Providing your lawyer with these details right away can help your case progress faster.
3. How Much Compensation Could I Receive?
The best car accident lawyers will be upfront with you about how much compensation you could realistically be awarded. They’ll base this number on a combination of factors, including:
- the details of the crash
- your medical costs
- the value of damaged property
- death or permanent disability
If they propose a number that seems unreasonably low or high, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion.
4. What Will It Cost for You to Represent Me?
It’s always best to ensure that the potential payoff is worth the cost of taking a case to court. Some car accident lawyers work on a set project or hourly fee, some take a commission based on winnings, and some use a combination of methods.
Remember to inquire about the legal fees you will face if you lose the case as well as the ones you’ll face if you win. You want to be sure that you don’t end up buried in legal debt on top of the other costs of an accident.
Always Ask These Questions Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
If you think you might have a legal case following a vehicle crash, don’t waste time finding a car accident lawyer. Start with an internet search for firms and attorneys, narrow the results down to a couple of options, and ask them these questions before deciding to work together. This will afford you the best shot at a successful car accident lawsuit.
Are you still looking for information on the legal system and working with an attorney? Take a look through the other articles on our site to keep learning.
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Adobe Stock royalty-free image #106856272, ‘Anwalt im Büro’ uploaded by Gina Sanders, standard license purchased from ; file retrieved on January 10th, 2019. License details available at – image is licensed under the Adobe Stock Standard License.