How to Choose a Car Accident Attorney

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Attorney

Picking a car accident attorney goes better with a few clear questions. Some crashes involve one insurer and a modest property claim, while others involve serious injuries, several policies and disputed fault. The questions below can make a first consultation more useful, regardless of the size of the claim.

Check the license first

Before the first meeting, check the basics. Each state bar or licensing agency provides a way to confirm that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing, and many publish public discipline records. A listing in a directory or a badge from a rating publisher reflects that publisher's selection, rather https://caraccidentlawyers.wiki/topics/ than a license check or a prediction of results. If the crash happened in another state, ask whether the lawyer is licensed there or will work with local counsel.

Questions about experience

Ask how many car crash claims the lawyer handles, and of what kind. An auto accident attorney should be comfortable with insurance coverage questions, including uninsured motorist (UM) claims, PIP, MedPay and Medicare or health plan liens. Ask how the firm collects evidence like crash reports, dashcam video and event data recorder (EDR) downloads. Ask whether the lawyer has taken car crash cases to trial, because trial experience can shape how a case is prepared, even though most claims resolve without a trial.

Read the fee agreement closely

Many injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, a percentage of any recovery. ABA Model Rule 1.5(c), which many states follow in some form, requires a contingent fee agreement to be in writing and signed by the client, and to explain how the fee is calculated and whether expenses come out before or after it. Ask who pays case costs if there is no recovery, such as filing fees, medical record charges and deposition costs. Ask whether the percentage changes if a lawsuit is filed, and ask about the written closing statement at the end of the case.

Who will handle the case

Ask whether the car accident lawyer you meet will be the one handling the case, and how often to expect updates. Ask who answers questions when the lawyer is in court, and how updates are usually sent. If the firm plans to refer the case or bring in co-counsel, ABA Model Rule 1.5(e) generally requires the client's agreement, confirmed in writing, before lawyers in different firms divide a fee.

What to bring to the first meeting

A consultation is more useful when the documents are available. Bring the police report, or at least the report number, together with photos of the vehicles and the scene. Insurance letters, claim numbers and any forms already signed matter as well, because they show what has already been said and signed. Medical bills and proof of missed work help document the losses so far.

Warning signs

Be wary of anyone who promises a specific dollar amount at a first meeting. No lawyer can know the outcome of a claim in advance. Unsolicited in-person or phone approaches after a crash are another warning sign, since ABA Model Rule 7.3 generally restricts live person-to-person solicitation by lawyers. An automobile accident lawyer should be able to explain the statute of limitations that applies. This article is general information and not legal advice.