questions answered about obtaining an attorney when involved in an accuident

When to ask an attorney for the right answer?

Sep 16, 2016 · This is a very valid and important question — one that should be asked and answered as soon as possible, particularly because time is of the essence when it comes to personal injury claims and cases. Your attorney will make sure that you do not miss any important deadlines because doing so could be detrimental to your case or claim.

Should a lawyer be involved in all aspects of my case?

Apr 09, 2015 · Ask follow-up questions, such as where and when any similar cases went to trial and their results, to ensure the attorney really knows the subject matter. Two: Do you practice in the courthouse where my case is (or will be)?

What questions should I ask when hiring a criminal defense attorney?

Jan 25, 2019 · Knowing what to ask your attorney during your first meeting and all interactions thereafter can help you as an accident victim in California. 1. Do You Have Experience With This Type of Case? Previous experience with cases similar to yours – or at least in the same practice area – is crucial to the attorney’s ability to handle your case.

Do lawyers like to do the questioning?

What questions should I ask my lawyer? I was involved in a motor vehicle accident over two years ago. A car did not stop at very busy intersection while the lights were out. She claims she saw a green light so she proceeded. About four cars were involved in the collision. My lawyer now wants to settle the case. I am on Social Security disability.

What actions should you take if you are involved in an accident?

What important things should you have around you in case of an accident?

What questions should you ask your lawyer?

What are the first 2 things you need to do when you get into an accident?

What is your first responsibility when approaching an accident scene?

What should be recorded at the scene of an incident?

What should you not say to a lawyer?

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

What precautionary measures can you suggest to avoid accident at the workplace?

How can accidents be prevented?

What is the first thing that should be done when accidents happen in workplace?

How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Florida?

In Florida, you have four (4) years to file a negligence lawsuit. You have five (5) years to file a claim against your own insurance company for breach of contract. But, if you were injured by someone working for a governmental agency - for example, you are hit by a police car - there are shorter time limits that need to be discussed ...

How to recover damages from an accident?

To recover damages from an accident, you have to prove that the other person breached a duty to you by not acting with a reasonable degree of care when he or she caused the accident. You also have to prove that you actually suffered damages and that those damages/injuries were caused by the accident. If you can't meet your burden of proof, it is ...

Can you recover medical bills?

You may be able to recover not only for medical bills and lost wages, but also for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or other types of damages you suffered. Your lawyer should be able to fully explain to you the extent of your recovery options.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys in every state have an ethical obligation to advise you of any conflict of interest. Still, you should ask the question. If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly ...

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

What is the process of a civil case?

In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitration— using a private service to adjudicate a dispute—is a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is contingency fee?

In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a “contingency fee.”. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.

1. What percentage of their cases involve personal injury?

Personal injury cases involve a fairly specific skill set which many general attorneys simply do not possess. Consequently, while there are many attorneys that advertise for personal injury cases, there are few who actually handle them regularly.

2. What is your average time to resolution in cases like mine?

Every case is unique and no case is “average,” so there is no correct answer to this question. However, your attorney should be able to give you general guidelines about how long each stage of prosecuting your claim will take.

3. What is your contingency fee percentage?

Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means that the attorney will receive a percentage of the amount you recover. Every attorney’s fees are limited by our Supreme Court’s rules regulating the ethics of the legal profession.

4. Will you refer my case out, or will you handle it yourself?

Some attorneys advertise for personal injury cases but do not actually handle them themselves. These attorneys often just refer them out to other attorneys for a fee. Other attorneys just try to quickly settle the cases their advertising brings in, but have no intention of filing suit or trying the cases if they can’t.

5. What is the settlement value and trial value range for my case?

If any attorney tells you the “value” of your case at your first meeting with him or her, you probably should hire another attorney.

1. How long have you practiced law?

At a minimum, you'll want to know about the lawyer's expertise and whether the lawyer is a veteran or beginner attorney, for instance. Your legal issue may very well be handled by someone who is fresh out of law school, (or not). It all depends.

2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in question)?

You'll also want to know about a lawyer's expertise and how much of the attorney's practice is devoted to topic area your legal issue falls within. For example, if you need help with an adoption case, you may wish to seek a family law lawyer who has worked on, well, adoption cases. Click here for a full list of practice area definitions.

3. Who is your typical client?

This is an important, but often-overlooked question. For example, if you are an individual with a particular legal problem, but the attorney your meeting with represents only corporations, this may not be the best lawyer for you. Likewise, you may wish to know the financial background of some of the lawyer's clients.

4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?

Now is not the time to act shy. Feel free to ask about the attorney's track record, such as the number of cases won or settled, for example.

5. Other than a law degree, what kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply in my situation?

Some cases, like DUI and patent cases, require specialized training and knowledge for effective representation. Be sure to inquire whether your case fits into that category.

6. What are your attorney fees and costs, and how are they billed? Will a portion or all of my case be handled by paralegals or legal assistants? If so, ask about reduced costs

This step is obviously an important one. You'll want to know whether you can afford the lawyer's services and how you will be required to pay. This is also the time to ask about payment options and how often, and under what circumstances, you will be billed.

7. What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?

This can be important in two ways. First, if you are seeking an amicable divorce, for example, but the attorney is known to "go for the kill" in divorce cases, the attorney may not be the right one for you.

1. What's your experience with this specific topic?

Just because you've got the "best" personal injury attorney in the game does not mean they have experience with your specific topic.

2. What are your fees and costs, and how are they billed?

This is obviously a crucial question- because you need to be able to look at the benefits of litigation versus the costs- only then can you decide if a settlement or offering (or accepting) policy limits is a better idea.

4. How often and by which method will we be communicating?

This question is a crucial one that often gets forgotten. Many firms communicate with clients constantly at first, before "getting too busy to call back" once the case starts getting more detailed.

5. What's our strategy here?

This is a heavy question, so you might need to give it time before this one gets a solid answer. But it's a good idea to select an attorney who has a battle plan laid out before even looking at the case. Of course, things will change dramatically as the case unfolds, but you want to be sure you're choosing someone who knows where to start.