Did you know that over 39 million people live in the state of California? The influx of drivers on the road can lead to an increase in car accidents. In the event of a car accident, victims will require the services of the top personal injury attorneys to help them file a claim. Hiring an attorney you can trust after an injury from an automobile accident can make your road to recovery better and faster. Here are the top questions to ask before hiring a personal injury attorney.
1. What Are Your Fees, and How Do You Calculate Them?
This is a great question to help you understand the impending costs of your case. There are a few common ways personal injury attorneys issue fees to clients.
A contingency fee is a percentage of the plaintiff’s award after the case is resolved. A flat fee is when an attorney charges a set fee for their work on the case. An hourly rate is also common, where the attorney will charge a certain amount per every hour that they work on your case.
A retainer fee is another arrangement, where the client will pay the lawyer a deposit based on the lawyer’s hourly rate, which will cover a certain amount of services. Understanding the types of fees an attorney may charge is helpful when discussing costs.
2. What Is Your Communication With Clients Like?
Depending on their practice and the number of clients attorneys are working with, communication can vary vastly from firm to firm. While some attorneys will do a weekly update with clients to keep them in the loop, others will only reach out when the case has a status update.
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, it is important to decide what style you prefer for your personal injury case. Do you want someone keeping a consistent stream of communication, or would you rather just discuss when things change? Think about the service you would like while consulting attorneys.
3. Which of the Personal Injury Attorneys Will Take My Case?
Law firms can come in many sizes. While some are run by a solo practitioner, others may have dozens of personal injury attorneys collaborating on cases. When consulting, ask who will be the lead on your case and if anyone else may be involved.
This will give you a better sense of the strengths that your attorney will be in advocating for your best outcome. As top accident lawyers in Long Beach, Belmont Accident Lawyers would be happy to provide a free consultation and discuss your case. A personal injury lawyer will walk you through who may be working on your case, and provide a level of comfort for you and your loved ones.
4. Have You Litigated a Similar Case?
When choosing a personal injury lawyer, it’s helpful to understand if they’ve had experience litigating a similar case. When the facts and circumstances are alike, the attorney will have a great sense of what worked in past cases, and what they would like to implement in yours.
The great thing about personal injury lawyers that specialize in automotive accidents is that they are experts on road-related matters. They will know the ins and outs of the law, and how you can receive the best outcome. Often, the best personal injury lawyers are those that know their niche craft in and out.
5. What Is Your Assessment of the Case’s Value?
Though it will be difficult for your personal injury lawyer to tell you exactly how much a case is worth, it can be helpful to get an estimate as you consider how to pursue the issue. For example, a bumper-to-bumper rear-end crash will likely hold less value than a truck accident with a smaller motor vehicle. Or, a personal injury case you thought would not have a high case value could result in a high settlement built around the evidence and a strong claim built by your attorney.
Asking this question can also show you the attorney’s confidence in your specific case. If they can easily estimate a settlement value, they have likely worked with many similar cases.
6. Do You See Any Challenges Arising With This Case?
The process of litigation, especially with automotive accidents, can be very stressful. To combat this, it is helpful to have an honest outlook about what may be difficult in resolving your case.
For example, a challenge that your attorney may point out is if you had any percentage of fault for the accident. If you were side-swiped but had driven through a red light, that would present a challenge in your resolution. A great personal injury attorney will show you the highlights and challenges of your case.
7. What Is the Process if This Case Goes to Trial?
While most cases do settle, there is a chance that your automotive personal injury case may go to trial. This will require preparation by both you and your personal injury lawyer, as it can be a long and daunting process.
Before choosing a personal injury lawyer, ask them what changes if the case proceeds to trial. Will the fee structure change? How long will it likely take to resolve? Understanding these things early on can help to ease stress levels.
Resolving Your Personal Injury Case
Hiring personal injury attorneys after an automotive accident can be very stressful. While trying to recover from your injuries, you are seeking the best legal counsel to help you through the difficult time.
We invite you to reach out to our team at Belmont Accident Lawyers. We are well equipped with the education and practical experience to find a resolution to your case. Contact us today for a free consultation, and get on the road to recovery.
