Among the most critical questions to ask a car accident lawyer are the following:
- How long have you been handling car accident cases?
- How often will you communicate with me about my case?
- How and when do you expect payment for your services?
Although you will have more targeted questions about your specific case, these are fundamental questions to get reliable answers to before you begin working with a car accident lawyer.
Ask a Car Accident Lawyer about His or Her Experience
You should ask the lawyer how long he or she has been handling your type of car accident case and what was the outcome of those cases. For example, if you have severe injuries from a car accident and want compensation for your financial losses, you will want a car accident lawyer who works hard to get you a favorable outcome.
Car accidents involving physical injuries are complicated legal matters. And, these accidents may include other drivers, insurance companies, and police investigators. An experienced lawyer knows how to work with all parties while looking out for your interests and ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your damages.
Ask a Car Accident Lawyer What My Case Is Worth
You may ask this question, but experienced lawyers need detailed information about your car accident and financial losses before they can estimate the value of your case.
A car accident lawyer wants to know about the facts of your crash, what type of injuries you or your passengers suffered, whether you have ongoing medical costs, and other related information before giving you an estimate about your claim.
Ask About the Car Accident Lawyer’s Courtroom Experience
Yes, you should because you want a lawyer who can seek justice for you in a court of law. Successful car accident lawyers want to win cases, and this may mean going to court to get their clients the compensation they deserve. Lawyers cannot let insurance companies—or any other party—bully them into accepting lesser settlements for their clients.
At the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC, we work hard to settle car accident cases out of court. But, there are times when insurance companies will not offer what we consider a fair settlement, or we have disputes over fault for causing an accident, or some other issue. When we know that our clients depend on us to fight on their behalf, we take cases to court to resolve the outstanding issues.
Ask a Car Accident Lawyer about How He or She Communicates with Clients
It is imperative that a car accident lawyer explains how frequently he or she communicates with clients. Clients understand that lawyers are working on other cases, and may not be able to speak with them every time they call.
However, if a lawyer never calls clients or fails to return their calls, or has someone else talk with them, they may feel that the lawyer does not care about their case, or worse—is not working on their case. You want your lawyer to give you the latest developments at each stage of your case to help you to make informed decisions.
Some lawyers have communication policies that include contacting clients within 24 or 48 hours of the initial call. In that way, clients know that their attorney plans to reach them instead of brushing off their phone call.
Ask a Lawyer about Paying for his or her Legal Services
Your initial consultation with a car accident lawyer is the best time to ask about what a lawyer charges for his or her legal representation and services. Generally, car accident lawyers accept contingency fees. A contingency fee is a payment for services based on a percentage of the money that the lawyers recover for their clients.
The Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC works on a contingency basis in car accident cases. When we work on a contingency fee arrangement, we do not bill you for each hour that we work on your case nor do we ask you for up-front costs. We only get paid if we win compensation in your case. So, if we do not work hard and fight to get you compensation, you do not pay us.
The Legal Team at the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC Have Answers
Our car accident lawyers have extensive experience in handling all aspects of car accident cases. We file insurance claims on behalf of our clients and negotiate fair settlements. We will take a case to court when necessary.
If you have injuries from a car accident and want representation by an experienced law firm, call the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC today at 865-546-1111 to schedule a free case review.