Most car accident law firms offer free case reviews that give you time to speak with a team member about your crash and their services. Asking questions can serve several purposes, including to help you:
- Decide if a firm is the best firm for you
- Better understand your case
- Learn more about your legal options
- Know what to expect
If you know what to ask, you can learn a lot and better evaluate the law firm and its approach to your case.
What Is Your Experience with Collision Cases Like Mine?
Not all personal injury lawyers have a wide range of experience. Some focus primarily on slip and fall accidents. Others represent workers hurt on the job. Neither of these would be the best choice for your collision case.
You need to know that the law firm you choose knows how to investigate, prove, and move forward with a case based on a traffic accident. Ask about their win percentage in crash cases and how many they handle regularly.
Can I See Any Reviews or Testimonials from Previous Clients?
Most law firms will be able to show you testimonials from past clients or let you know where you can see reviews from past clients they represented. Google will also often have reviews listed for any law firm with a physical location. If this is not readily available, they may be hiding a history of unhappy clients.
Can You Tell Me About a Similar Case?
Asking a firm about a case similar to yours will help you better understand their experience and approach. For example, if your injuries occurred in a bus accident but they do not have experience with collisions involving large commercial vehicles, it may not be the right firm for you.
Have You Helped Clients with Injuries Like Mine?
If you suffered catastrophic injuries, significant lost wages, and diminished earning capacity, or have a difficult-to-prove injury, it may be important that you connect with a firm that knows how to handle it.
For example, soft tissue injuries of the neck and upper back are notoriously difficult to prove. You may want to ask about previous whiplash cases during your free consultation.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
How do You Handle Payments?
Car accident lawyers generally work on contingency. This means you do not have to pay a retainer to get them to represent you. Instead, you sign a contract that gives them a percentage of the settlement or judgment they recover on your behalf.
If they do not recover money in your case, you will not need to pay them for their services.
Will I Owe Any Additional Case-Related Expenses?
You may need to pay your lawyer for any expenses they financed for you related to your case regardless of what happens at trial. You should know how they handle the “out-of-pocket costs” before you sign your contract.
Will My Case Settle Out of Court or Go to Trial?
This is a trick question because there is no way to know for sure before filing a claim or lawsuit. However, a law firm can explain the options to you based on its previous experience.
A law firm must be willing to go to court if necessary. If its legal team tells you they always settle cases like yours, it may be a sign that they do not fight for the fair and just outcome their clients deserve.
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How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take?
The timeline in a traffic collision case can vary, depending on several factors. However, a law firm should be able to give you a general outline of the process and how quickly it will get started on building your case.
While there is no deadline on how fast settlements occur, there are statutes of limitations that tell you how soon you need to sue. In general, you have:
- Two years in Alabama (Ala. Code § 6-2-38)
- Three years in Arkansas (AR § 16-56-105)
- One year in Louisiana (La. Civ. Code Art. 3492)
- Three years in Mississippi (Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49)
Circumstances of your case could dramatically alter these timelines, as well. An attorney should discuss this with you.
Who Will Handle My Case?
Some firms introduce you to an attorney for the initial meeting and then hand your case off to staff members, and you never hear from that lawyer again. While this is not always a bad thing, they should be honest with you about who you can contact, who will keep you up to date, and who will represent you if your case goes to trial.
You Can Speak with a Morris Bart, LLC, Team Member Today for Free
The Morris Bart law firm has more than 40 years of experience fighting for fair outcomes for car accident victims in the Gulf South. We have 15 locations and serve Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
We recovered compensation for more than 6,500 clients during 2019. We may be able to help you. You can reach our contingency fee law firm today by calling (800) 537-8185.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
