By Erin Hunter
An unfortunate car accident can leave you overwhelmed with injuries, losses, and pain. If your injuries are severe, medical bills and loss of income can impact your financial condition within days. If you were hurt because of someone’s negligence, you can file a car accident claim with their insurer and ask for compensation. Finding the right car accident lawyer near me is important, and when you meet an attorney, below are some questions worth asking.
- “What are the merits and demerits of my case? How much can I expect in settlement?”
This is easily the first question you need to ask, after you have shared all the relevant details. An experienced car accident lawyer knows what it takes to negotiate a claim, but on the onset, they will make sure that you have a fair idea of the possible outcomes. For instance, if you live in a “modified comparative negligence” state and had a share of fault in the accident, your compensation may reduce consequently. Ensure that your lawyer is fair and transparent in their assessment, so that you can have a realistic overview of your claim.
- “Can you share a few references? Will you handle the case personally?”
If an accident lawyer claims to be the best in business, they will have enough clients and wouldn’t shy away from sharing references. Ask the lawyer about their best cases and top settlements, so that you can know their experience and expertise better. Also, many law firms eventually end up assigning a junior or associate for car accident claims, which isn’t the ideal practice. The lawyer you are meeting, and paying for, should be the one working for you.
- “Will you work on a contingency basis?”
Depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, an attorney may choose to work on a contingency basis. This kind of arrangement doesn’t require the client to pay an upfront fee to the lawyer. Instead, the lawyer takes a percentage of the settlement, if they win. However, if your expected compensation is less, or you just need basic work with your car accident claim, such arrangements may not work. Many personal injury lawyers often charge by the hour or have a flat fee.
When you hire a lawyer for your car accident lawsuit, ask them if they have experience of handling cases at trial. There is always a chance that negotiations with the other party and their insurer can fail.
