In the last post, we talked about some of the most important questions to ask your auto attorney before choosing one to represent you. However, there are plenty of other questions that are imperative to the outcome of your case. Here are some more critical questions to discuss with any potential auto attorney.
How will your law office handle my case?
Once the attorney has confirmed that you do have a legitimate case, it’s important to know what to expect as far as case management. Make sure to ask whether the attorney you’re talking to will handle your case in full, or whether certain aspects of it may be delegated to other members of the firm. You should also make it a point to find out whether or not that specific attorney handles court appearances. Ideally, you want an auto attorney who has no problem representing your case in court.
How does your law office handle finances and billing?
If you make it this far into the questioning process, it’s a good sign that this may be the right auto lawyer for you. But before you make any final decisions, you want to know what to expect when it comes time to pay the bill. Make sure you know every last detail of the billing process, including whether the firm charges by the hour or has a contingency fee. You also want to be aware of any retainer fees or any other additional expenses.
Because most personal injury law firms work on contingency, this is a critical question. If you will not be paying by the hour or making payments up front, make sure you understand how much communication you can expect to have about your case.
Is there anything else you’d like me to know before I make my final decision?
This is a great open-ended question to ask at the end of your free consultation, as it is your attorney’s last chance to make their professional impression on you.
Can you provide any past clients or successful settlements as references?
Unless you are an injury law firm’s first client, they should be able to provide some references. In addition, ask if they can direct you to any recent settlements they secured for auto accident victims such as yourself.
Remember: motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death in 2014 for individuals who were 11-years-old and young people between the ages 16 through 24. When you or someone you love is injured or killed in an auto accident caused by another person’s negligence, drunkenness, or intentional actions, then you deserve the very best representation.
Make sure you know the answers to these questions before choosing your auto attorney. It’s the best way to get the legal advice and representation your case demands.