Car accidents are overwhelming and stressful incidents, leaving victims with medical bills, car damage, and emotional suffering. After a wreck, it is important to consult a car accident lawyer so they can help you navigate your car accident case. But how should one go about choosing a lawyer? Below is a list of 10 important questions you can ask your car accident lawyer to determine if they are the right one for you.
1. Are They Members Of Bar Associations Or Professional Associations?
If so, which ones? Is the lawyer you are speaking with known for any accolades or distinctions? Are they accredited with honors or titles that separate themselves from other lawyers or law firms? If not, it may be best to pick a lawyer that does.
2. Have You Frequently Handled A Case Like Mine Before? How Many?
Having won a case like yours before may be key for your success. Since they already know what it is like to deal with a situation as yours, it is more likely that they can approach your case with ease.
3. What Is Your Philosophy Or Approach To Law?
Knowing your lawyers philosophy or approach to law may help you better understand their law process. Their beliefs and biases could directly impact your case outcome.
4. Will You Manage My Case Personally, Or Will Someone Else?
Knowing who will manage your case is important. If an attorney says they will manage it, and then pass the case on to someone else, they may not be a trustworthy attorney.
5. Will You Handle Negotiations And/Or Court Appearances?
Just as with managing your case, your attorney should be at the helm of handling negotiations and appearing in court.
6. What Is The Best Way To Reach You? How Quickly Do You Typically Respond? Will You Be Available Daily?
An attorney being available for contact is necessary to maintain trust while pursuing your case. Attorneys should keep an open dialogue with you, inform you of all aspects of your case. Once that’s established, find out the best form of communication for the both of you.
7. Do You Charge A Contingency Or Hourly Fee? Will I Need To Pay If We Don’t Win? What Other Expenses Will I Have To Pay?
Each law firm is different in terms of payment, fees, and other additional expenses, so this is important in finding out how much you will owe the attorney.
8. What Is Your Assessment Of My Case?
Once you give the attorney your records and facts about the accident, they can then determine if your crash is worth pursuing a case on. They will relay what factors will work in your favor and what won’t.
9. What Kind Of Settlement Or Compensation Total Should I Expect?
Attorneys will try and get you the compensation you deserve. An attorney will fight to get you every dollar you are entitled to.
10. Will We Go To Trial?
In some cases, your case will end up going to trial. Pick a lawyer that has been to trial before. If the lawyer you are speaking with claims they have been to trail, but they have no proof on the books, it is best to avoid this lawyer.
Work With Your Lawyer
After all the questions have been addressed, ask your lawyer if there are any questions you left out that you need to know information on. If it turns out they aren’t the lawyer for you, don’t fret. They may refer you to a lawyer that can help you.
Once you have met with a lawyer, or lawyers, and they answered all your questions, it is time to decide which lawyer to select. Reflect on meetings, the notes you may have made, and think about which lawyer suits your needs best. Are they out of your budget? Do they have enough experience? Do you trust the attorney? If they check all your boxes, or your important ones, then it is time to begin your 2023 case.
Hank Stout co-founded Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm, to protect and pursue the rights of people who were harmed by the carelessness of others. Mr. Stout is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and has been actively trying cases for over fifteen years. In recognition of his accomplishments and results, he has been selected by Thompson Reuters as a Super Lawyer since 2014 (a distinction given to less than 1% of the lawyers in the state of Texas) and has been selected as Lead Counsel.
