Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer: Questions to Ask
Choosing a car accident lawyer is easier with a short list of questions. Some crashes involve a single insurer and a modest property claim, while others involve serious injuries, several policies and disputed fault. The questions below can make a first consultation more useful, regardless of the size of the claim.
Check the license first
Before the first meeting, check the basics. Every state bar or licensing agency offers a way to check that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing, and many publish public discipline records. A listing in a directory or a badge from a rating publisher reflects that publisher's selection, not a license check and not a prediction of results. If the crash occurred out of state, ask whether the lawyer is licensed there or plans to work with local counsel.
Experience with car crash claims
Ask how many car crash claims the lawyer handles and what kinds. An auto accident attorney should be comfortable with insurance coverage questions, such as uninsured motorist (UM) claims, PIP and MedPay, and liens from health plans or Medicare. Ask how the firm collects evidence like crash reports, dashcam video and event data recorder (EDR) downloads. Ask whether the lawyer has taken car crash cases to trial, since trial experience can affect how a case is prepared, even though most claims settle.
Understand the fee agreement
Injury lawyers often handle these claims on a contingency fee, a percentage of any recovery. ABA Model Rule 1.5(c), which many states have adopted in some form, requires a contingent fee agreement to be in writing and signed by the client, and to state how the fee is calculated and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee. Ask who covers case costs if there is no recovery, including filing fees, record charges and deposition costs. Ask whether the percentage changes if a lawsuit is filed, and ask about the written closing statement at the end of the case.
Who will handle the case
Ask whether the car crash attorney at the consultation will handle the case personally, and how often updates will come. Ask who answers questions when the lawyer is in court, and whether updates come by phone, email or a client portal. ABA Model Rule 1.5(e) generally requires the client's written agreement before lawyers in different firms divide a fee, so any referral or co-counsel plan should be explained at the start.
What to bring to the first meeting
A consultation is more useful when the documents are available. Bring the crash report, or the report number if the report is not ready yet, https://claytonilpd930.yousher.com/uninsured-motorist-pip-and-medpay-coverage-after-a-car-crash along with photos of the scene and the vehicles. Letters from insurers and any forms already signed are worth bringing too, since they show who has made contact and what has been agreed. Medical bills and pay stubs help show the losses so far.
Warning signs
Be cautious of anyone who promises a dollar figure at the first meeting. No lawyer can know the outcome of a claim in advance. Unsolicited in-person or phone approaches after a crash are another warning sign, since ABA Model Rule 7.3 generally restricts live person-to-person solicitation by lawyers. An automobile accident lawyer should be able to explain the statute of limitations that applies. This is general information, not legal advice.