People who have been recently involved in a car accident might need help navigating their rights with a skilled personal injury lawyer. Good attorneys can provide assistance recovering what is yours. They can recoup losses, handle insurance companies, deal with all of the paperwork, and settle a claim if you have been injured. Sometimes finding the right attorney is the hardest part of the whole process. |
When You Need Representation
Seeking reimbursement, even when the other driver is clearly at fault, is a lengthy and painful process. You will be confronted with lots of opposition from the other attorneys, the insurance companies, and more. Insurance companies lay land mines in personal injury cases, seeking to protect their bottom line as rigorously as possible.
Here are some general guidelines to determine if you need a lawyer:
Here are some general guidelines to determine if you need a lawyer:
- If extensive damage was done to your car
- If the other party in the accident is blaming you for fault
- If you need time off work because of injuries
- If the medical costs from the accident are not covered 100% by your insurance – medical injuries include pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
What You Want in Your Lawyer
The fallout from a car accident can produce unforeseen difficulties you won't be able to handle on your own. Depending on the accident, some of the problems could include property destruction, liability, injury for one or both parties, a totaled car, two sets of insurance companies proving fault, and possibly death.
Dealing with these variables is a lot like playing connect the dots. Lawyers need to know how all of the variables connect to one another, fitting together like a large paperwork puzzle. Therefore, the attorney you hire needs to have experience, a positive track record dealing with car accidents, and be committed to your cause.
Your lawyer should also operate locally. A skilled lawyer is great but if they have recently moved into your area there could be complications. Every state and town has different laws and attitudes towards car accidents. Judges gain reputations based on the types of rulings they give and why. There are subtle nuances within your area that makes handling law there unique.
Your lawyer should be very familiar with your state’s transportation laws, be able to deftly handle both healthcare providers and insurance companies, and keep you prepared for your case.
Finally, your attorney should work a contingency. What this means is that they will provide you with representation, and should your side lose, you will not pay the lawyer. This pay structure means your lawyer is invested in your case, and they are only accepting your case because they think you have a shot at winning.
Dealing with these variables is a lot like playing connect the dots. Lawyers need to know how all of the variables connect to one another, fitting together like a large paperwork puzzle. Therefore, the attorney you hire needs to have experience, a positive track record dealing with car accidents, and be committed to your cause.
Your lawyer should also operate locally. A skilled lawyer is great but if they have recently moved into your area there could be complications. Every state and town has different laws and attitudes towards car accidents. Judges gain reputations based on the types of rulings they give and why. There are subtle nuances within your area that makes handling law there unique.
Your lawyer should be very familiar with your state’s transportation laws, be able to deftly handle both healthcare providers and insurance companies, and keep you prepared for your case.
Finally, your attorney should work a contingency. What this means is that they will provide you with representation, and should your side lose, you will not pay the lawyer. This pay structure means your lawyer is invested in your case, and they are only accepting your case because they think you have a shot at winning.
Good Questions to Ask
When you meet with your lawyer, all of your ducks should already be in a row. Any pictures, details about the accident, medical bills, and insurance documents should be assembled and ready to go. This will give you a decent picture of the whole scenario before approaching your lawyer. In short, you will know the right questions to ask.
Here are some dependable questions:
What experience do you have with my specific situation, injury, or claim?
How often / what percentage of your practice is devoted to car accident suits?
What kind of settlement would you expect given my scenario?
How much of the case do you handle?
Do you have experience representing victims of auto accidents with injuries or chronic health problems?
What facts of the case work in our favor?
What facts work against us?
Will we have to go to trial?
Not only will good questions build confidence that you will be receiving proper representation, but the discussion will prepare you for what is ahead.
Here are some dependable questions:
What experience do you have with my specific situation, injury, or claim?
How often / what percentage of your practice is devoted to car accident suits?
What kind of settlement would you expect given my scenario?
How much of the case do you handle?
Do you have experience representing victims of auto accidents with injuries or chronic health problems?
What facts of the case work in our favor?
What facts work against us?
Will we have to go to trial?
Not only will good questions build confidence that you will be receiving proper representation, but the discussion will prepare you for what is ahead.