Make sure you ask these questions to find a great auto accident lawyer.
When dealing with a court case related to a car accident, finding an attorney who is skilled in these sorts of cases and who will look out for your rights as an individual is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself. Whether you’re in a lawsuit with another driver or with an insurance company – lack of legal representation can often mean certain loss. Judges are not likely to give you any assistance if you lack legal representation – and sometimes that can mean the difference between winning or losing, being able to file for appeal or not. An auto accident lawyer is there to protect you and your rights.
Finding the right auto accident lawyer to represent you can be difficult, especially among all of the advertisements on TV and radio for car accident attorneys or personal injury lawyers. Finding an auto accident attorney who will put your best interests first is of the utmost importance. Here are a few tips and questions you should ask before hiring the right car accident lawyer for your case.
How does payment work?
While you might not want to be so up front in asking about cost – many auto accident lawyers or personal injury lawyers only get paid if you win or settle. This is called a contingency fee, and is often something that many clients find necessary.
Do I have a case?
Be sure to share all of the details of your auto accident when you first visit a law firm to speak with an auto accident lawyer for your initial consultation. After hearing the details, and likely asking further questions of you, the lawyer should let you know whether or not you have a case. Make sure they really believe you have a case by asking what the defense may say (if you’re the one proposing the lawsuit) or how they believe the prosecuting attorney will argue the case if you’re on the receiving end of a suit.
What court fees am I responsible for?
Whether you win or lose, you’ll likely be responsible for some court fees (not payment to the attorney). Discuss these potential costs before filing your case to make sure that the suit is worth it. Also discuss what you can expect to receive if you win or settle the case. Most auto accident cases do not go to court but are settled instead. Based on the type of accident you are involved in, your auto accident lawyer should be able to let you know how much you should expect to receive through settlement or winning the case.
How long the case will take?
A seasoned auto accident lawyer should be able to estimate a timeframe for your case. Assuming you have medical bills to deal with as a result of your car accident, you’ll need to be able to plan for how to take care of these bills if the case is expected to take a long time.
There are plenty more questions you should ask an auto accident attorney you’re looking to hire. Be sure to ask any questions you feel necessary – don’t hold back. Continue asking questions until you are confident that you’ve found an auto accident lawyer who will work for you and protect your rights while working on your case.
Contact Tolbert Beadle today for more information about auto accident attorneys and motorcycle accident lawyers today.
