Questions to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer
In the aftermath of a car accident, it’s crucial to seek legal counsel to protect your rights and ensure fair compensation. Consulting with a knowledgeable Louisiana car accident lawyer can provide invaluable guidance throughout the process. However, it’s essential to ask the right questions during your initial consultation to make an informed decision and understand the legal aspects of your case.
This comprehensive guide will outline the most important questions to ask a car accident lawyer, providing you with a solid foundation for your discussion. Whether you’re wondering about common car accident questions, what to ask a lawyer about a car accident, or specific queries regarding compensation, insurance, or legal procedures, this guide has got you covered.
Understanding Your Car Accident Case
Every car accident case is different—and your lawyer should help you to understand the specifics of yours so that you can make decisions that work for you. Remember, your lawyer is your advocate and your advisor, but you have to make the decisions affecting your health and future.
How strong is my case based on the available evidence?
At your initial consultation, bring all the evidence you managed to collect at the accident scene. A good lawyer will level with you about how strong your accident case is, given the evidence you’ve provided and the evidence we can collect later.
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
A responsible car accident attorney will enumerate the possible outcomes of your case, including the possible losses. Listing these worst cases means that your lawyer is considering how the opposition could move to dismiss or minimize your claim, and planning to take steps to mitigate those moves.
Car Accident Legal Experience Questions
How long have you been practicing car accident law?
The math is simple: lawyers with more experience litigating car accident injury cases tend to win more often and win bigger settlements for their clients. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have been practicing law in Louisiana for over 30 years, and during that time we’ve won billions of dollars for our clients.
Have you handled cases similar to mine before?
Even though every car accident case is different, most fall into one of a number of similar cases. A good question to ask your car accident lawyer is how many cases similar to mine have you handled? Note how confident they are when answering you as well.
What is your success rate in obtaining favorable settlements or verdicts?
In every lawsuit, there’s a winner and a loser. You deserve a law firm with a track record of success over years of practice. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has won over $3 Billion for our clients, so you can trust us to treat your case with the care it deserves.
Car Accident Lawyer Questions About Legal Fees and Costs
What are your fee structures and payment terms?
Most, but not all, personal injury workers work on a contingency basis, which means that you won’t owe them anything upfront. You’ll only need to pay if and when you win your case, at which point your law firm will take a percentage out of your total winnings. Usually, the fees are negotiated and agreed to when you hire the firm.
Will I be responsible for any fees if my case is unsuccessful?
Even on a contingency fee basis, many firms still pass legal costs like court fees onto the client in the event of a loss. Make sure to ask your lawyer what they’ll do in the event of a loss.
At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, you’re guaranteed to owe us nothing whatsoever until we win your case. That’s the G Guarantee!
Communication and Availability
How will we communicate throughout the case?
Communication is key in any personal injury case—and with the many moving parts of most car accident injury cases, it can be even more vital. Make sure to ask your lawyer how they’ll be in touch with updates for you as your case proceeds through the court system.
Will I have direct access to you or a team member?
At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, each of our clients has a dedicated team member that helps usher them through their case. You don’t want to be represented by a firm that treats you as part of a crowd—get Gordon and get the personal touch!
What is the expected timeline for updates on my case?
Car accident injury cases can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to resolve. Make sure your lawyer has a plan of attack on how to keep your case moving so that you can receive the compensation you need in a timely manner.
Legal Strategy and Representation
How do you plan to approach my case?
Depending on the particulars of your case, your lawyer will want to approach it a certain way. Ask your lawyer what their plan is to make sure that they have a concrete plan of action and that you agree with it before signing a contract.
Will you be able to negotiate with insurance companies on my behalf?
Any car accident injury lawyer worth their salt should be comfortable and experienced in negotiations with car insurance companies. In fact, that’s a large part of what attorneys learn in law school—how to successfully argue a claim and negotiate a fair settlement.
What to Ask a Lawyer About Car Accident Compensation and Damages
What types of compensation am I entitled to claim?
Depending on your accident, you could be entitled to multiple types of compensation. Ask your lawyer which types you’re entitled to pursue based on your injuries, the particulars of your case, and other factors.
How do you assess the value of my case?
Assessing the compensation you should expect can be complex, but any calculation should involve the current and future projected costs of your medical care, property damage, and decreased quality of life. It should also take into account the wage or salary you were making before your wreck, and how much of that is affected due to your wreck.
Insurance and Claims Process
How can I navigate the insurance claim process?
Navigating the insurance claims process can be difficult. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to assist you in filling out and filing forms, following up with your case manager, and other necessary tasks in navigating that process to ensure your compensation is maximized.
What information do I need to provide to my insurance company?
Your lawyer will be able to tell you what information to provide to your insurance company, including police reports and doctor notes, as well as other documentation and evidence.
Legal Procedures and Timelines
What is the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in my state?
Louisiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including car wreck injury cases, is one year from the date of injury. That’s why there’s no time to waste in calling a Louisiana car accident injury lawyer and starting the process today.
What legal procedures should I anticipate during my case?
One of the most important questions to ask your car accident injury lawyer are what to anticipate in the months ahead. Insurance companies employ a number of tactics to delay or deny your claim, and you and your lawyer should be ready to counter those tactics.
Are there any specific deadlines I need to be aware of?
While your lawyer is a valuable asset in the fight for fair compensation, ultimately it’s your legal case. There are some deadlines that you must meet, so ask your lawyer what you have to do to ensure your compensation matches your injuries.
Additional Resources and Support
Are there any other professionals (e.g., medical experts) you can recommend?
Many primary care physicians won’t see car accident injury victims, for a variety of reasons. An experienced lawyer will have a list of medical professionals you can see that will diagnose and treat your injuries, as well as provide the documentation needed to prove your injuries to insurance and other parties.
Can you provide references from past clients?
Reputation is vital when choosing any lawyer, so look for one that’s well-referred by others in your community. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have hundreds of positive reviews from satisfied clients, so feel free to ask us about them!
Do you have any informational materials or resources I can review?
You might want to know more than we can tell you in a phone consultation. We’re happy to point you in other directions to learn more about your situation and what legal options you have to seek compensation.
Most common car accident questions
After a car accident, you probably have more questions than answers. Below, we answer some of the more common ones our clients have asked us.
