Have you recently been in a car accident that wasn't your fault? Are you now looking at a growing pile of medical bills and other expenses and worrying about how you'll ever be able to pay them off? If this sounds like you, you may be owed compensation for your injuries, both medical and otherwise. Unfortunately, to be compensated, you may have to take your case to court. To help you find a good lawyer to handle your case and make sure that you get everything that you deserve, here are some questions to ask before hiring any attorney:
Have you ever handled a case like this before? Rear-end accidents are common. But something like a roll-over accident involving multiple vehicles is going to be less common. It may also require a different strategy for your car accident lawyer when gathering evidence to support your case. For the best possible chance, you'll want an attorney who is as familiar as possible with the specific needs of your type of case. A less experienced lawyer can still be great, but it's more difficult to tell ahead of time.
What fees do you charge? Many people hesitate about hiring a car accident lawyer for fear that they'll wind up with a huge bill that they won't be able to pay. Fortunately, most accident attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that you won't owe the lawyer anything unless he or she wins the case for you. His or her fees will then be a percentage of whatever you've been awarded. From this settlement, you may also be expected to pay for a private investigator or any witness testimony fees that were necessary to the case. Knowing whether or not this will be required will help you to estimate how much you'll be receiving when you finally cash your check.
Is there anything else needed to get started right away? When you show up for your first meeting, you should bring any relevant police reports and medical records. Your car accident lawyer may not need them immediately, but having them handy will save time in the long run. Once the meeting is over, you may be required to fill out or sign forms saying that you are hiring the lawyer for litigation purposes. If you simply leave, thinking the meeting is completely over, you may have to come back later to fill out this paperwork. Before going home, make sure to check to see that the lawyer has everything he or she needs from you right now.
