what questions to ask a lawyer about a car accident

^{Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer}

• Do I Have a Case? This is the first question you should ask. ...
• How Much Do You Charge and What is a Contingency Fee? ...
• 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 ...
• 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 ...
• 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 ...
What Is My Case Worth? Ask this question. Your lawyer will have some idea. ...
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 ...
Have You Tried These Types of Personal Injury Cases Before? Lawyers are hungry to get personal injury lawsuits. ...
Will you be the actual attorney handling my case? Another great question. Be careful about the meet and greet, and then never seeing that lawyer again. ...
Do You Have The Time Necessary To Actually Work On My Case Now? Be very careful about going to the name everyone else knows. ...

Full Answer

How much should I ask for in a car accident?

Aug 31, 2017 · 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. Do not be fooled by lawyers who make promises that seem unrealistic.

What to ask after a car accident?

The questions you will need to answer for your car accident lawyer: When did the accident happen? This is pretty cut and dried, easy to answer. You would be surprised with how many times clients don't know the exact date though. Explain exactly how the accident happened? The more detail, the better. At some point, depending on severity, there might even need to be a car …

What do you need to know after a car accident?

What should I ask my doctor after a car accident?

What should I ask for in a car accident?

According to the III, here's the most important information drivers should exchange after an accident:Full name and contact information.Insurance company and policy number.Driver's license and license plate number.Type, color and model of vehicle.Location of accident.

What should you not say in a car accident?

Don't say “I'm sorry” A simple “I'm sorry” can be used to show that you admitted guilt and responsibility for the accident. Even if you mean “I'm sorry you're late for work” or “I'm sorry you are hurt” – try to avoid using the words “I'm sorry”.

What are the 7 steps to dealing with a car accident?

How to Handle a Car Accident in 7 Easy StepsMove to a safe area (if you can) ... Stop your vehicle and get out. ... Check on others involved. ... Call the police to the scene. ... Gather info. ... Document the scene. ... File your insurance claim.Oct 2, 2018

What are 3 things you do immediately after a car accident?

11 Important Steps to Take After a Car CrashDetermine whether anyone is hurt. ... Get yourself and your vehicle out of danger. ... Contact the police. ... Collect important information. ... Document the scene. ... Avoid roadside discussions about responsibility. ... Call a tow truck if needed. ... Call your insurance company.More items...•Jun 21, 2021

Should I get checked out after a car accident?

DO check for any injuries to you or your passengers, then check for injuries with any others involved. If anyone is injured, dial 999 and ask for the police. DO get all passengers out of the vehicle and make sure they're safe.

How long after car accident Do you feel pain?

Mild injuries will usually be apparent right away, such as bruises or cuts. Injuries beneath the skin's surface, like a torn muscle or traumatic brain injury (TBI), can take longer to physically manifest. It can take 24 to 48 hours for initial symptoms to appear and one to two weeks for full delayed pain symptoms.Sep 27, 2021

How much will my insurance go up with an at fault accident?

Getting into a car accident in which you are at fault can raise your auto insurance rates in a big way. On average, the annual cost for a full-coverage car insurance policy goes up 46% if the driver has an accident on their record that caused an injury.Mar 18, 2022

What happens to your body after a car accident?

Many signs and symptoms of injuries like whiplash, concussions, soft tissue injuries and spinal damage may not appear until several hours or days after an accident. During a car accident, your body experiences an adrenaline rush that can mask pain and other symptoms, causing you to believe you aren't injured.

How long do you have to report a car accident to your insurance company?

You must notify your insurance company of an accident within 7 days. Your insurance company will look for: Your policy number or your name, address and car registration number. The registrations of any other cars involved, the name and contact details of the other driver,passengers or witnesses.Apr 30, 2019

How long after an accident can you file a police report?

Call the police or report the accident at the nearest police station: within 24 hours if a person is killed or injured; or. on the first working day after the accident if no person was killed or injured.

What is the first thing that should be done when accidents happen?

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 should you do if the owner of the vehicle you hit is not around their vehicle?

This article explains what to do when you hit a parked car.Wait for the Owner. ... Leave a Note. ... Look for Witnesses. ... Take Pictures. ... Call the Police. ... Contact Your Insurance Company. ... Discuss Your Car Accident with an Attorney.Nov 30, 2018

Should a lawyer know about an injury?

If you know about an injury, your lawyer should know too. It's vital your lawyer knows everything. It is almost more important for your lawyer to be aware of something related to your body than it is for your doctor to be aware. Well, maybe equally as important.

Is an accident lawyer a medical opinion?

What? Your opinion matters, and don't let any accident lawyer tell you differently. No, it's not a "medical" opinion but it's valid nonetheless. If you feel as though some pain, injury, or condition is not healing and you fear permanency, you should explore it with your doctor and keep your lawyer in the loop.

Do I Have to Report the Car Accident?

When you’re involved in a car accident, you want the aftermath done and behind you. The problem is that your car may be seriously damaged, or you were hurt in the accident. In certain situations like this, you may be required to call the police and file a car accident report.

What Do I Say to the Insurance Company?

When dealing with insurers, you may need to be careful about what you say to the insurance company. They may be recording, and they may use anything you say against you. Because of this, it’s often best to tell them you’ve had a car accident and that you may be due a settlement.

Am I Due Compensation?

If someone else hit you in a car accident, you may have trouble getting compensated fairly for your injuries. You may be due compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Damages are the losses you’ve suffered because of the accident.

How Can a SC Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

When you’re hurt in a car accident, it can feel impossible to recover. You have all kinds of questions about the specifics of your car accident, and you’re stumped. You may not even be certain about the right questions to ask a lawyer after a car accident.

Written By John D. Hawkins

John David Hawkins is the Founder and Owner of HawkLaw. He has been licensed to practice law in South Carolina since his graduation in 1994 from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Focusing on litigation, Mr.

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.