Were you recently in a car accident and aren’t sure where to go from here? Do you wonder whether you should represent yourself or not? If so, then you might be asking yourself “how can I find a car accident lawyer near me”?
It’s unwise to represent yourself in any legal capacity. If the other side gets an attorney to represent them, then you’re essentially going head to head with an experienced and trained professional.
See below for several questions that you should ask any personal injury attorney that you reach out to for this situation. Be sure to consider them all as you start your search.
- How Much Experience Do You Have?
Now is not the time for you to give a young lawyer their first real-world experience. If the attorney that you hire makes any false steps, it will complicate matters and could cost you your entire case.
You need someone that specializes in personal injury and car crashes. Someone that has the experience and know-how that you need for your case.
Don’t be afraid to ask the attorney how much experience they have. Ask them to tell you a story or two of other people they’ve represented that were in a situation similar to the one you’re in right now.
Experience allows the personal injury (car accident) attorney to envision any potential obstacles in the road. They might also know the opposition’s lawyer and the route they might take, giving you an upper hand during the car accident settlement.
To get started, be sure to visit this page to find a qualified PI attorney to guide and represent you through this hectic process.
- What Are My Odds of Winning?
Some of you reading this might not be overly optimistic about your situation. Even if you believe you were at fault for the accident, you want to ask your personal injury attorney what they think your odds are of winning.
That way, you and they are on the same page. Part of the lawyer’s job is to set their client’s expectations.
Otherwise, you might be expecting your attorney to help win your case when they were more focused on reaching a settlement and putting out the fire on your case as quickly as possible.
Communicate your interests with the car accident lawyer you hire. That way, you and they can go to work on building a case that increases your chances of winning and getting the compensation that you deserve.
- How Long Do You Think My Case Will Go?
The timeframe for a personal injury case (of any kind) can range anywhere from several months to several years. While your lawyer has no way of predicting the future, they can probably estimate whether your case will take longer or not.
It never hurts to ask them this question. One of the goals that you lay out with your attorney should be your ideal timeframe. The answer “as soon as possible” doesn’t fly here. You need to be realistic about your situation.
For example, say you have a car accident that’s in a bit of a grey area. You believe them to be the one at fault for the accident, they do not. If both of you have hire lawyers, you might be vetting for a case that can last several years when it’s all said and done.
If your lawyer informs you that your case will most likely last several years, then you can make alternate financial plans to cover the costs. Consider applying for pre-settlement funding to give yourself financial peace as you fight for compensation.
- How Involved Are You in the Process?
It’s a fair question. Some personal injury attorneys will assign things like all of your documentation needs to the intern or front desk worker at their firm so they can focus on meeting and game-planning with their clients.
You want someone that’s going to oversee it all. There’s nothing wrong with delegation, especially if it’s a larger firm with more resources. However, if you hire and pay a lawyer, you want them to be the ones overseeing the majority of your case.
Start by asking them whether they delegate any portion of your case to others. If they answer yes, ask for specifics. Also, ask them what their process is for it. Do they proofread the work after it’s finished? If not, it could severely damage your case.
- What Happens If You and I Disagree?
Regardless of how much chemistry you end up building with your attorney over the course of this process, there will be times where you and they don’t see eye to eye.
It’s important to set the standards for those moments before they occur. For example, if you reach a point where you want to accept a settlement offer, but your attorney is urging you to push on, who concedes to who?
The reverse situation is also possible where they’ll heavily imply you take the settlement you receive when you want to keep fighting.
Contrary to popular belief, the lawyer can choose to stop representing you if the situation gets too out of hand. Make sure to agree on how to handle those situations from the jump.
Car Accident Lawyer Near Me: Find the Right Fit
Now that you’ve seen a list of questions that you should be asking to find a car accident lawyer near me, be sure to use them to your advantage.
Start by asking them about the process at large. Are they willing to take on your case? Do they believe you have a legitimate shot of winning the settlement? What will they do to increase the likelihood of that happening?
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on personal injury attorneys, as well as many other helpful topics you will enjoy.
