10 Important Questions To Ask A Lawyer After A Car Accident

Car accidents happen every day. In fact, one article estimates that more than 16,000 crashes occur every day. That’s hundreds of collisions each hour.

Fortunately, many of those incidents aren’t serious, such as minor parking lot bumps or fender benders. In those cases, drivers may exchange insurance information, arrange repairs and resolve the matter without legal help.

But what happens when you’re hurt or the other party’s insurance adjuster stops cooperating? Or what if you and the other driver disagree about what happened, and you were injured in the collision? In those situations, you may wonder if it’s worth contacting a lawyer.

If you’ve been injured in a crash, a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your options. That said, you need to know what to ask during your conversation. The right questions can help you decide whether hiring a lawyer makes sense and whether a particular firm is a good fit.

If you find yourself in that situation, the personal injury lawyers at DK Law suggest that you ask a lawyer the following questions.

1. Can You Make A Claim Against The Other Party?

This is kind of a loaded question, and a knowledgeable lawyer should ask you a series of questions in return before giving you a blanket answer. For instance, if you’ve already settled a claim but later realize that you had injuries you didn’t know about at first, you may not be able to get more money from the insurance carrier. On the other hand, if you haven’t resolved your claim, a lawyer can evaluate whether you may still have legal options. If a lawyer believes you don’t have a viable claim, knowing that early may help you make a more informed decision about what to do next

2. Can A Lawyer Help Establish Who Was At Fault?

Perhaps you were involved in a pile-up crash, and drivers are pointing fingers at each other. Alternatively, you may have thought your accident was clearly the other person’s fault, only to learn that you’re being sued. You’re now in a difficult situation. A lawyer should be able to explain how they would evaluate and respond to allegations that you were at fault. And representation may be helpful when fault is disputed or when several parties give conflicting accounts of the crash.

3. Will You Be Able To Navigate The Conversations With Insurance Adjusters?

Insurance claims can become difficult when there are disagreements over fault, coverage, injuries or the value of a claim. Insurance negotiations can also feel stressful or difficult to navigate, particularly when you’re dealing with injuries at the same time. Consequently, you’ll want to know whether the lawyer is prepared to handle those communications and negotiations on your behalf. But don’t just take “yes” for an answer. Be sure to ask the lawyer how they’ve taken on the insurance companies for other clients in your position.

4. Are You Accustomed To Dealing With Complicated Accident Cases?

There are many different types of accidents, and they can get complex quickly. Rideshare crashes are one example of cases that can involve additional questions about insurance and liability. What happens when you’re in a rideshare and the driver runs into another vehicle? What options might you have for seeking compensation for your injuries? A lawyer should be able to give you an outline of what kinds of cases their firm has worked on previously. You don’t want to be the first complicated crash they’ve encountered.

5. What Information Will A Lawyer Need To Proceed?

You’ll be expected to provide some documentation to a lawyer to get your case started. And you might already have some information, such as photos, emails, and medical bills. But you’ll want to know the full breadth of what your lawyer needs you to produce. Therefore, be sure not to toss any correspondence or delete text messages from the other driver. They could become important evidence in your claim.

6. How Will A Lawyer Value Your Potential Claim?

It’s worth knowing how a lawyer expects to put a price tag on your claim. A lawyer may consider factors such as your medical expenses, lost income, the severity of your injuries, how those injuries affect your daily life and other case-specific circumstances.

7. Can A Lawyer Help Negotiate Medical Liens?

One of the more frustrating aspects of getting injured in a car crash is that medical bills may become due before your injury claim is resolved. Even if the other party is at fault, your medical providers won’t necessarily wait for you to get a settlement. This can leave you with huge bills and debt. A lawyer may be able to help ease some of your financial concerns by negotiating a lower overall payment. If a lien can be reduced, it may increase the amount of a settlement that ultimately remains available to you.

8. When Do You Need To Decide Whether To Hire An Attorney?

You don’t have to feel like you need to say yes to handing your case to a lawyer just because you spent time talking about your accident. It’s fine to think more about the responses you get to your questions. Still, you want to know what the lawyer recommends in terms of finalizing your plans to move forward with their firm. For instance, if you’ve already waited weeks or months, ask whether any filing deadlines or other time-sensitive issues might affect how quickly you need to decide.

9. What Is Your Typical Contingency Fee?

Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning their attorney fee is generally tied to the outcome of the case. Ask what percentage the firm charges and whether you may be responsible for any case costs or other expenses. However, you should know the percentage they take if they win your case, as well as any other fees they’ll charge after your case is closed.

10. What Else Should You Know About The Firm?

This final question gives the lawyer a chance to educate you on how their firm operates. Write down what you hear so you can refer to it later. Those details can help you compare firms and decide whether the lawyer is a good fit.

Hiring a lawyer to handle your car accident claim can be a relief, but only if you feel confident that you actually need legal assistance. By asking specific questions during a consultation, you can better understand your legal options, what the process may involve, and whether the lawyer is someone you feel comfortable working with.

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information presented

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.