Recovering the money you deserve for a car accident is harder than you might think. Even though you may have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, an insurance company may try to get out of paying you. Although it may only seem just for a person to pay for an accident they caused, it is an insurance adjuster’s job to keep their money in-house.
The assistance of a lawyer is imperative when you have been in an accident. You should hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury law. When you are interviewing attorneys, there are a few questions you should ask to make sure your lawyer has the time and experience to handle your case.
How much will I pay?
The majority of personal injury attorneys will work on a contingency basis. If an attorney is able to get money for you, the firm should keep somewhere between 25% and 40%. If a lawyer asks for a larger percentage, you may want to consider shopping around.
Will I have to pay if I lose?
Although losing a personal injury case may be devastating, you can at least be consoled by the fact that you will not have to give up a large chunk of your award. Be sure to find out if your attorney will charge you for expenses if you lose. If they will charge for expenses, ask them to provide you with a list of potential charges.
What is your caseload?
Don’t be shy about asking how much time a firm will spend on your case. You should ask how many cases they are currently handling, how many attorneys they have on staff, and how many legal assistance they have. Ask if you will deal with one attorney or if you may deal with several.
Do you have any references?
Before you even meet with an attorney, there is a good chance that you have Googled them and looked at their online reviews. Bear in mind that reviews can be paid for. It is much better to talk to a person the lawyer has represented so that you can ask them specific questions. You may also want to ask the attorney if they belong to any professional organizations that can endorse them as well. You should visit the website of the Virginia Bar Association and make sure there are no complaints against them and that they are in good standing.
How much is my case worth?
Although no one can see into the future, a professional personal injury attorney should be able to tell you approximately how much they think your case is worth. They should be able to break down your injuries and expenses and tell you if an insurance company’s settlement offer is fair.
Getting injured in an accident is painful and time-consuming. It can make you paranoid about driving again. It is only natural to want to get the whole experience over with and take the insurance company’s first offer. However, settling for too little money will not make the situation any better. A good attorney can get you the money you deserve. Visit harrisonburgattorneys.com/car-accident-lawyer for more information.
Authoritative Sources:
