You probably have many questions if you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision. While you might be entitled to financial compensation due to your injuries, these cases can be difficult to tackle alone. The support of an experienced Boca Raton car accident lawyer could be invaluable to you.
Before proceeding with your case, you should find legal counsel you can trust. This process requires more than selecting a name from an internet search or picking an attorney based on their advertisements. Your best bet is to learn more during a free initial consultation. Here are six questions to ask a car accident lawyer before hiring them.
1. How Much Experience Do You Have Handling Car Accident Cases?
Personal injury lawyers have varying amounts and types of experience. The amount of time an attorney has spent practicing law is relevant, but how they have spent that time may be more important. You should look for an auto accident lawyer with extensive experience in cases similar to yours.
Determining the extent of a lawyer’s experience with car accident injury cases is about more than just how long they have practiced law. Ask your prospective attorney how long they have been practicing personal injury law, and get an estimate of how many cases they have handled and the general outcomes of those cases.
2. Do I Have a Viable Car Accident Injury Case?
Many car accidents are not likely to lead to a successful personal injury claim. For example, it may not be worth the time and effort of a lawsuit if the damage is minor and you did not suffer serious injuries. However, it never hurts to have a legal professional review the facts and determine whether you have a strong chance for success.
Most personal injury attorneys will not pursue a case when the chances of success are low, as they work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win your case. At our personal injury law firm, we can evaluate your case to determine whether pursuing legal action would be wise. We are happy to give you legal advice on the merits of your case and offer guidance based on your best interests.
3. Have You Handled Other Car Accident Cases Like Mine?
Every motor vehicle crash is unique, but they often have certain aspects in common, such as speeding, drunk driving, or even wrongful death claims. You could learn a lot about how a car accident attorney will handle your case by discussing whether they have dealt with similar cases before.
If they have recently handled a case similar to yours, you should ask a few follow-up questions. What was the result of that case? How long did it take to reach a fair settlement? While there is no guarantee your case will proceed the same way or have the same result, the answers to these follow-up questions could give you insight into what you might expect.
4. What Do You Charge to Handle Automobile Accident Claims?
One of the most important questions to ask an attorney is about their fee structure. Any misunderstanding on how they bill for their services can lead to conflict and confusion later on. By asking about their fee structure upfront, you can avoid these conflicts.
When our firm takes a car accident injury case, we’ll get to work without charging any fees. Instead of billing by the hour or requiring a fee upfront, we will keep a percentage of anything we recover in your case. This approach means you can pursue financial compensation regardless of your financial situation.
5. How Long Will it Take to Resolve My Motor Vehicle Accident Case?
It is natural to wonder how long it may take to resolve your car accident claim. Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be difficult, especially if the legal process takes a long time. You could benefit from discussing how long your case might take with an auto accident lawyer.
An ongoing legal case can lead to significant disruptions in your life, like ongoing doctor visits, missed work, and attending legal proceedings. Getting a general idea of the potential time commitment could be invaluable for planning your future.
Of course, there is no way for an attorney to predict with certainty how long your case might take. Most cases ultimately settle, but some go to trial. Your auto accident attorney can tell you whether they expect to reach a fair settlement and how long it might take based on their experience with similar cases.
6. How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
It is always a good idea to understand how much time you have to file your personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long, you could miss the chance to recover economic and non-economic damages. An attorney could advise you on how much time you have to act.
Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a civil lawsuit. However, the specific amount of time to file a lawsuit is not always clear, especially if the accident involves a government vehicle or other unique circumstances apply. A vehicle accident lawyer can clarify how much time you have to act.
Reach Out to Ged Lawyers to Get Answers to Your Car Accident Questions
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision, your choice of legal counsel is important. Before you hire a lawyer, asking this list of six questions can help you make an educated decision.
At Ged Lawyers, we look forward to answering your questions about your accident. We will work tirelessly to help you get the most out of your claim. In addition to answering your questions, we can advise you on your legal options and guide you every step of the way. Contact us as soon as possible to learn more during a free initial consultation.
