Questions to Ask a Lawyer When You’ve Been in a Car Accident
If you’ve been in a car accident, getting legal assistance is one of the most important steps you can take. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of claims, insurance issues and legal responsibilities. In order to fully understand the process and to give yourself the best odds of a positive outcome, you need to ask your attorney the right questions. We’ve listed some of them below.
- What is their experience and expertise? Start by asking your lawyer what experience they have in handling personal injury cases (and in particular, car accidents). How many people have they represented, and how successful have they been? Do they know how to negotiate effectively with opposing parties (and insurance companies)? Understanding an attorney’s background can give you some insight into their ability to handle your case effectively.
- What is their assessment of your case? Ask the attorney to review the details of your case and give you an honest assessment of your situation. Do they think you have a strong case? Do they recommend a settlement or a trial? Hearing their proposed strategies – as well as any potential challenges or risks – can help you develop a realistic outlook and prepare yourself for next steps.
- What are their fees and payment structure? Before you move forward with an attorney, you should discuss their fee structure upfront. Some lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that they only get paid if you win your case. Confirm the percentage they would take and if there are any additional costs, such as court fees or expert witness expenses.
- How do you want to communicate with them? It’s important to establish clear expectations with your lawyer regarding your communication preferences. Ask about how frequently you can expect updates on your case, and clarify the way in which you would like to be contacted (phone, text, email or a combination of all three). You should also ask your lawyer how available they are to answer any questions you may have throughout the process.
- What’s the general timeline? Obviously, it’s difficult to predict how long your case might take to resolve – every case is different and there are a lot of moving parts. But having a basic timeline in place can help you plan everything from gathering evidence to managing your emotions and expectations.
- What sort of compensation can you expect? Again, this isn’t a straightforward question, given all of the factors that go into determining who owes what after a car accident. (Remember, too, that Maryland is a contributory negligence state, so you’ll need to prove that the other party was entirely at fault in order to be eligible for compensation.) That being said, a seasoned attorney should be able to give you a ballpark estimate of the compensation you might be able to receive for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering.
With open communication and a clear understanding of your situation, you and your attorney can work together to assess your options, develop a strategy and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and you’re in need of legal representation, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Parr in Baltimore, MD today to schedule your free consultation. We don’t receive a fee unless we win.
