If you ever get injured in an unfortunate car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have the scope to file a personal injury lawsuit and ask for compensation for your losses. The compensation is intended to cover for your medical bills, loss of wages, and lost earned capacity. Once you have called the police and have got medical assistance, call a known car accident lawyer for further assistance. Here are some questions you must ask before hiring the lawyer.
- What do you expect from this case?
Not all car accident claims are worth pursuing. For instance, if your share in the accident is more than the other party, you may not get anything at all. In case you are planning your lawsuit against a federal or state government agency, you will have to go through the administrative claims process, which can be cumbersome and complex. Check with the attorney what to expect from the case and how much you can realistically expect in compensation.
- How long have you been practicing as a car accident lawyer?
This is another valid question to consider. You need to work with an attorney who has enough experience and expertise. Don’t shy away from asking about their work profile, some of the best settlements they have won for clients, and recent cases. If needed, you can ask for references too.
- Do you work on a contingency basis?
Most car accident lawyers do work on a contingency basis, which means that they get paid only if they win a settlement for you. This kind of arrangement works in favor of the client, especially someone who is already dealing with a lot of medical bills and expenses. The fee of your lawyer is likely to be a percentage of the compensation.
- Will you handle the case personally?
At times, top car accident attorneys will assign the case to a relatively new attorney of their firm, and that can impact the attention that the case deserves. Make sure that the attorney you choose is the one who will handle the case personally.
- Do you have experience with trials?
While most car accident claims and lawsuits do get settled through negotiation, things may not move as expected in some cases. You would want an attorney, who has some experience of trial at the least.