No one ever expects to be involved in an auto accident, but they, unfortunately, happen all of the time and the aftermath can be very stressful for a person. When you know that you are not at fault for causing the accident, you may not know what steps to take in order to get the other driver's insurance company to pay for damages to your vehicle, lost wages, and any medical bills that are associated with injuries caused by the accident. If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, the very best thing that you can do is hire an auto accident attorney. Before hiring an attorney, make sure that you ask the following questions.
What Type of Experience and Expertise Do You Have?
Auto accident attorneys typically fall under the umbrella of personal injury attorneys. Some personal injury attorneys take all types of cases, including auto accident cases, while others solely focus on auto accident cases. When you're searching for an attorney, it is always a good idea to look for one that mainly represents clients in auto accident cases. An attorney that specializes in auto accident cases is more likely to have a better approach and understanding about auto accident claims.
What Is Your Assessment of My Case?
Most auto accident attorneys offer prospective clients complimentary consultations, and during this time you will have the opportunity to present any information that you have and tell the attorney your version of what happened leading up to and during the accident. After you explain what happened, don't be afraid to ask the attorney what his or her assessment of your case is. A reputable auto accident attorney will explain what you can expect and may give a rough estimate of the type of settlement that you may receive. Be wary if an attorney promises a huge settlement without being able to explain why that may happen.
What Are Your Fees?
In most cases, auto accident attorneys work on contingency. This means that you do not have to provide a monetary retainer and your attorney will not charge you by the hour. Instead, an auto accident attorney is compensated with a portion of the settlement that you receive from the other driver's insurance company. There is no set percentage when it comes to auto accident attorneys fees, so it is extremely important to ask an attorney about what percentage of your settlement he or she will charge before you make a hiring decision.
For more information, contact a law office like Campbell, Dille, Barnett & Smith, P.L.L.C.
