There’s no way to predict that you’ll get into a car accident, but when it happens, it can change your life in an instant. And with over 6 million car accidents in the US every year, the chances of an accident are higher than any of us might like.

When you need a car accident lawyer, you need someone you can work with to get you the money you need for your medical bills and other expenses, including pain and suffering if your injuries are severe enough. 

But how do you find someone you can trust, let alone work with?

Asking the right questions can help you find a lawyer who will take your case all the way to trial if that’s what’s needed to get you everything you deserve.

When interviewing car accident attorneys, ask these questions to help you choose the best one.

Do You Handle Cases Like Mine?

Personal injury lawyers tend to specialize in a narrow area of focus, such as truck accidents or slip-and-falls.

Even two car accident cases that seem similar on the surface can be very different in the details. Make sure you’re choosing a Fort Collins car accident lawyer that has handled cases similar to yours before. 

Do You Think I Have a Good Case?

You should definitely ask any attorney you talk to about what they think of your case. An attorney is a neutral third party who can give you an objective assessment of how strong your case is and what your chances are if it goes to trial.

An attorney should also be able to give you a ballpark range of what your case might be worth, and whether it’s worth pursuing.

How Many Cases Have You Taken to Court?

You’d be surprised to learn that personal injury lawyers don’t always have a lot of trial experience. That’s because a lot of personal injury cases settle, and there’s nothing wrong with settling if that’s what your attorney thinks is the best outcome for you.

But sometimes, you can’t reach a settlement agreement or you have the potential to get a much bigger award if your case goes to trial. You want a lawyer with trial experience who will be able to win your case.

What Costs Will I Be Responsible For?

Ask what costs you’ll be on the hook for if you win and if you lose the case. If the lawyer works on contingency, that means they’ll take 33 to 40 percent of your settlement or award, depending largely on whether or not you go to trial.

That usually means that you don’t have to pay the lawyer unless you win the case. However, there may be some costs, like filing fees and court costs, that you’ll be responsible for even if you lose your case. 

Make sure you understand the fee schedules and what you’ll be responsible for, win or lose.

And, while cost is always an important consideration when you’re thinking of hiring any kind of services, it may not be a great idea to hire the cheapest lawyer you can find. Pay a little more for expertise and experience and it will pay off in the form of a more successful resolution. 

How Long Do You Think It Will Take to Resolve My Case?

It can take a long time to resolve a personal injury case, especially if you go to trial, but lawsuits can be unpredictable. Sometimes, it doesn’t take that long at all. A lawyer should be able to give you a general estimate of how long it will take to resolve your case, so you can know what to expect. 

Who Will Be Handling My Case?

At a small, solo practice, you’ll know exactly who will be working on your case. But it might not be a great idea to go with a solo practice, because its resources could easily be stretched thin.

You may want to go with a larger firm that has more attorneys, more paralegals, more record specialists, and so on. When you go in for a consultation, ask the attorney you’re talking to who will be working on the case. Often, work will be delegated to junior lawyers, while the more senior attorneys supervise. You may want to ensure that more experienced attorneys are working directly on your case.

When you need a car accident attorney, it’s really important that you find someone who believes in your case and is willing to go to trial if necessary. The right lawyer can help you get all of the compensation you’re entitled to as the victim of another driver’s negligence. 

Source: Springer & Steinberg