what information to ask for an accident lawyer

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer

• Do I Have a Case? This is the first question you should ask. To recover damages from an accident, you have to prove that...
• How Much Do You Charge and What is a Contingency Fee? This is usually one of the most important questions for most car...
• What Court Fees and Costs Will I Be Responsible For? Even if a lawyer charges...

Full Answer

What questions should you ask a car accident lawyer?

A list of questions that you should ask a car accident lawyer before deciding whether to hire him/her for your case. Do I Have a Case? This is the first question you should ask.

How do I find a good personal injury lawyer?

One of the most reliable ways to research a lawyer’s qualifications is to check sources that rate personal injury lawyer reviews based on what their fellow lawyers (and their competitors) say about them. Please understand that there is no other official “rating” system for personal injury lawyers besides peer review by other lawyers.

What questions should I ask my lawyer before applying?

Ask them about potential weaknesses in the case of problems they foresee. Then, ask about how they plan to deal with these problems. Also, be sure to ask about how they will keep you updated throughout the process and who will handle your case.

How do I recover damages from a car accident?

To recover damages from an accident, you have to prove that the other person breached a duty to you by not acting with a reasonable degree of care when he or she caused the accident. You also have to prove that you actually suffered damages and that those damages/injuries were caused by the accident.

What questions should you ask your lawyer?

Questions you might ask your lawyerDo I have a problem that can be resolved by law?What legal risks am I facing?What documents do I need to support my case?Do I need statements from witnesses?What are my options for resolving the dispute out of court?How can I settle the case?More items...

What should I ask for in a settlement?

The following items will be factored in to a potential settlement:Past and future medical bills.Rehabilitation costs.Pain and suffering.Therapy.Lost wages and/or future income.

What steps should be taken immediately in case of an accident?

Below we have outlined seven specific steps you should always take immediately following the accident. Call emergency services if necessary. ... Determine cause. ... Witnesses. ... Photos. ... Document everything. ... Get medical treatment. ... Call an attorney.

How do you prepare for an accident before it happens?

How to prepare for a car accidentKeep an emergency kit. You should always be ready for a car crash. ... Assess the situation. Immediately after impact, you should assess yourself, passengers, and surroundings. ... Call the authorities. ... Look Around for Witnesses. ... Get the necessary information. ... Get medical treatment.

What is a good settlement?

A good settlement offer works in your favor and puts you back in a position of favor after the settlement is made final. Settlement offers need to consider all of the factors that have touched you in relation to your losses, damages, and personal injuries.

How do you ask for more money in a settlement?

Send a Detailed Demand Letter to the Insurance Company Because the insurance company will likely reply with an offer for an amount lower than what you've asked for in the demand letter, you should ask for between 25 and 100 percent more than what you would be willing to settle for.

What is most important action to be taken immediately after a collision?

1. Inform the Master and Engine room: This is obvious, but make sure you inform the Master, if he is not on bridge. Inform the engine room and stop the engine. The officer on watch should not hesitate to call the master even if he has the slightest doubt about any given situation.

What are the steps that a company needs to follow in case of an accident in its business?

7 Immediate Steps to Take After an InjuryCare for the injured employee.Notify management and other team members.Secure the scene.Complete the incident report.Implement safety protocols.Establish a return-to-work program.Follow up with your employee.Creating a company culture of safety.

What are the five steps to take if you are involved in an accident?

Five Steps to Take Immediately After an Auto AccidentStay Where You Are. ... Report the Accident to Law Enforcement (911). ... Write Down Information for All Relevant Parties. ... Take Down Contact Information for Any Witnesses. ... Contact Your Insurance Company. ... Visit a Doctor immediately if you are injured.More items...

Why car insurance claims can be denied?

Common reasons for claim denial include: the claimant is not covered under the car insurance policy. the vehicle was not listed on the car insurance policy. there was no policy in effect at the time of the accident (common when premiums go unpaid or the policy isn't renewed.

What do you do after a minor car accident?

Check if anyone is hurt. ... Make sure to take pictures of the accident. ... Move your vehicle off to the side of the road if possible. ... Let the investigator take command of the situation, and institute measures to prevent the accident from getting worse. ... Exchange information with the other driver.More items...

What are 3 important tips on filing an auto insurance claim?

Gather relevant evidence and documentationCall the police. ... Record all accident details. ... Avoid mistakes that could impair your claim. ... Open a case. ... Work with a claims adjuster. ... File the report before the deadline. ... Understand fault. ... Know how long it may take to settle a claim.More items...•

How Free Consultations Work

Free consultations give both you and the prospective lawyer the chance to meet and talk. During this consultation, you will ask the lawyer questions to see if the lawyer can handle your case. The lawyer will also ask you questions to make sure the he or she can represent you.

What to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case

Free consultations usually start with your story about your accident and injuries. This will help the lawyer:

What to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer About Their Experience

Experience can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. An accident lawyer should know:

What to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer About Representation

You should ask the lawyer about your relationship if you hire them. Every law firm does things differently. And every lawyer’s practice reflects their unique personality and preferences.

Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

You should not feel pressured to make an immediate decision unless you have impending deadlines. You should take time to choose a lawyer with whom you can have a strong working relationship.

How Much Do You Charge and What is a Contingency Fee?

How Much Do You Charge and What is a Contingency Fee? This is usually one of the most important questions for most car accident victims, as you may want to sue, but may be afraid of being faced with large legal bills if you don't win. Most car accident attorneys will work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only get paid if you win.

What Court Fees and Costs Will I Be Responsible For?

What Court Fees and Costs Will I Be Responsible For? Even if a lawyer charges on a contingent fee basis, you may be responsible for court costs and fees and other costs the lawyer incurs in investigating and bringing the lawsuit. Our firm does not charge you fees or costs, unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you.

How Long Do I Have to File My Lawsuit?

How Long Do I Have to File My Lawsuit? There is a statute of limitations - or a maximum time limit - that you have in most jurisdictions if you want to file a lawsuit. It is important to know what this deadline is, so you can make sure you file your lawsuit before the deadline passes.

What Are My Potential Damages?

What Are My Potential Damages? You may be able to recover not only for medical bills and lost wages, but also for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or other types of damages you suffered. Your lawyer should be able to fully explain to you the extent of your recovery options.

What Is My Case Worth?

What Is My Case Worth? Ask this question. Your lawyer will have some idea. It is true that it can be a broad range based upon discovery, liability and unknown medical issues. At the very least, your lawyer should be able to provide a spectrum and explain the unknowns to you. Use your own judgment.

How Long Do You Think My Case Will Take?

How Long Do You Think My Case Will Take? It may take a long time for a case to go to trial and an even longer time for you to get your money. It is important to be aware of this, so you can make plans for how to handle medical bills in the meantime.

Have You Tried These Types of Personal Injury Cases Before?

Have You Tried These Types of Personal Injury Cases Before? Lawyers are hungry to get personal injury lawsuits. There is immense competition and some firms spend millions of dollars on advertising. Do not assume, just based upon advertising, that the lawyer has handled or tried your type of case. Ask for your lawyer's experience and results.

1. Are You Familiar With Cases Like This?

One of the most important questions for a lawyer is about their experience.

2. Is My Case Strong Enough To Cover My Losses?

A serious accident can be expensive to recover from. Damage to your vehicle can be costly to repair even with insurance. Health bills can start to add up.

3. How Does Negotiation Work?

Not all cases go to court. In reality, you probably want to avoid court if at all possible. Court cases often take much longer to facilitate than settlements.

4. How Long Will The Case Last?

A car accident lawyer might not be able to answer this question up front, but you should still ask.

5. Will I Be Able To Seek Treatment?

Lastly, make sure to ask about your treatment options. Some lawyers may prefer you work with certain physical therapists to manage your pain.

Your Car Accident Lawyer

At Barnes Law Firm, we provide dedicated representation for those who’ve been hurt as a result of negligence. We specialize in automobile accidents for clients in Texas and around the country. If you’ve been in an accident, don’t hesitate.

How to find a good personal injury lawyer?

How do you find a top-notch lawyer for a serious personal injury case? There are resources you can check before deciding which lawyer to schedule a consultation with. One of the most reliable ways to research a lawyer’s qualifications is to check sources that rate personal injury lawyer reviews based on what their fellow lawyers (and their competitors) say about them. Please understand that there is no other official “rating” system for personal injury lawyers besides peer review by other lawyers. Here are the peer review rating systems that you should check out:

Who can defend personal injury claims?

Insurance companies have the financial resources to hire skilled lawyers who specialize in defending personal injury claims. The experience and skills of your lawyer will play a pivotal role in the amount of compensation you receive.

What happens to the expenses if a case is lost?

What happens to the expenses if the case is lost? Some lawyers have a policy of not asking the client to reimburse the law firm for the “out of pocket” expenses. Other lawyers expect the client to reimburse the law firm for all the expenses if the case is lost. As a consumer who has choices, you need to find out the lawyer’s policy on expense reimbursement in situations where the case is lost. If a lawyer tries to tell you "don’t worry about it, I’ve never lost a case," don’t accept that response. Even the very best personal injury lawyers lose cases from time to time.

What are the organizations that represent injured people?

They also conduct lobbying activities for the rights of consumers. The most prominent national organization is the American Association of Justice (AAJ). In the State of Indiana, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) is a statewide organization of plaintiff attorneys dedicated to the rights of injured persons. You can certainly find a lawyer who doesn’t belong to any of these groups, but why would you want that lawyer to represent you in a serious injury lawsuit?

Why do lawyers speak at seminars?

They are asked to speak at legal education seminars because other attorneys want to hear what they have to say. Lawyers who regularly write articles in legal publications are usually the authorities in the field and know what they are talking about. Many personal injury lawyers will list the topics of their speaking engagements or their publications on their website. If you want to know whether a lawyer teaches other lawyers about developments in personal injury law or writes articles about personal injury litigation, you should check the lawyer’s website or ask for a copy of the lawyer’s resume.

What happens if you are injured by someone else's negligence?

If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you will be facing many important decisions in the days, weeks and months following an injury. Finding the "right" lawyer to represent you is often the most critical factor in a successful recovery.

What does it mean when a lawyer offers a free consultation?

A lawyer who offers you a “free consultation” and tells you that he or she will not charge a fee unless there is a recovery in your case (known as a “contingent fee” agreement) is not offering you anything out of the ordinary. Almost every lawyer who specializes in handling personal injury cases will make the same offer.

What You Need to Prepare Before Meeting with an Attorney About Your Car Accident

Before you start contacting personal injury attorneys about your case, take a little bit of time to get yourself organized. That way, you have the information you’ll need to answer any car accident questions the lawyers may have.

Questions to Ask About Your Accident

You’ve probably got a million different important questions you want to ask about your accident. And your attorney wants to help you get answers to all your questions. Start with these basic questions to get the conversation started.

Questions to Ask About Your Injuries

If you suffered any injuries because of the accident you were involved in, your attorney will want (and need) to know that information as well.

Questions to Ask About a Possible Settlement

Before you agree to any settlement, it’s important to talk with your attorney to be sure you fully understand it. Oftentimes, once a settlement agreement is signed, it’s no longer able to be changed.

Questions to Ask About the Attorney and Law Firm

When researching personal injury lawyers to contact, look for ones that offer a free consultation so you can see if the attorney is a good fit before officially retaining them to work on your case.

How to Choose the Right Car Accident Attorney for Your Case

Now that you have all the questions to start a conversation with potential attorneys, you’ve got to find some to talk to. Look for a personal injury law firm that offers a free case consultation. That way, you’re not out any money if you decide not to use them for your case. You can also ask friends and family who they’ve used in the past.

How Will My Personal Injury Lawyer and Their Legal Staff Communicate With Me?

You want to feel confident that your personal injury lawyer is going to keep you up-to-date throughout the entire case process. Being left in the dark about what's going on with your case can cause a large amount of stress.

What Is Your Opinion Of My Case?

As a personal injury victim, it is very easy to assume that your case will be a slam dunk and that you will easily win substantial financial compensation. However, even similar personal injury accidents can be very different from one another.

How Many Cases Have You Won In Court?

If your lawyer receives a fair, reasonable financial compensation offer before your case goes to trial, they won't need to have extensive trial experience to go in front of a jury.

Can I Speak To A Previous Client?

Don't be afraid to ask your potential personal injury lawyer for a reference or two.

Do You See Any Difficulties With My Case?

There are challenges and legal issues unique to each personal injury case.

What to ask a lawyer when hiring a law firm?

When hiring a law firm, it is important to ask questions. Make a list of your top curiosities about legal matters, and also ask the attorney to give you any general advice that normally is given to people in your situation. Remember that law professionals are accustomed to receiving questions of all types, so do not hesitate to ask whatever is on your mind. The attorney knows that the more informed you are, the more thorough of a job the firm can perform on your behalf.

Why do you ask questions to an attorney?

Asking attorneys questions will help you know if they have the qualifications, experience, and resources to pursue your case. This will also help you determine if your personalities are a good fit and if you feel that the attorney will always have your best interests in mind.

How long does it take for a personal injury lawsuit to be filed in New York?

Keep in mind that New York has a statute of limitations of 3 years after a personal injury incident takes place.

Do you think the insurance company will settle my case?

Do you think the insurance company will settle my case? Insurance companies make low-ball offers in the hope that the person injured will take the money and run even before there can be an accounting of all of their damages. You do not want this to happen to you. Personal injury attorneys who are experienced in negotiating with insurance companies will, of course, not be able to give you a definite answer, but should be able to give you some insight into how this process will work.

Can an attorney give you an estimated amount of damages?

At this evaluation stage, the attorney will not be able to give you even an estimated dollar amount of your damages but should be able to tell you if you are legally entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and possibly other categories depending on your individual case.

Can a personal injury case be settled without a jury trial?

If a fair, reasonable offer is negotiated prior to trial, it’s possible that a personal injury case could be settled without a jury trial; however, if no amount can be agreed upon by both parties a jury trial may be inevitable.

Do personal injury attorneys charge a fee in New York?

In New York, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means you are not charged a legal fee unless the attorney wins your case, and the fee will be a percentage of your compensation award. Find out what that percentage is and whether there will be additional costs in addition to the legal fee.