Los Angeles Car Accident: Ask These Questions Before Hiring An Attorney
Hundreds of traffic mishaps are reported in the busy city of Los Angeles each year. If the other driver was reckless and negligent, which led to the accident and your consequential injuries in LA, you have the right to seek compensation.
Author:James PierceReviewer:Paolo ReynaJan 25, 202420 Shares5K Views
Hundreds of traffic mishaps are reported in the busy city of Los Angeles each year. If the other driver was reckless and negligent, which led to the accident and your consequential injuries in LA, you have the right to seek compensation. California is a fault state, which makes the process relatively simple for claimants. However, you also have a two-year deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit according to the state’s statute of limitations. You have to act immediately to gather evidence, or you won’t have a strong case against the at-fault driver. During such trying times, hiring a Los Angeles car accident attorneyis critical, and if you are wondering how to choose one, here are some questions to ask.
Get A Case Evaluation
The excellent news is injury lawyers in LA don’t ask for a consultation fee, and this is your best chance to know an attorney and get a free assessment of the claim. When you step in for the first meeting, carry your medical records and available evidence along with a questionnaire. Ask things like –
- Do you specialize in personal injury law? How long have you been practicing in LA?
- How often do you take car or truck accident lawsuits in your practice?
- What is your first impression of my case? What are the immediate strengths and weaknesses?
- What are the likely aspects that may affect the outcome?
Know The Lawyer’s Fee
Most law firms will take car accident claims on contingency, which means that an attorney will get a share of the final compensation rather than an hourly rate. However, you should still discuss the basic things and ask the following –
- What would be your contingency fee? Do I need to pay an upfront fee?
- What happens if you fail to get a positive outcome?
- What other expenses do I need to pay for?
Understand The Investigation Process
Your lawyer is responsible for investigating the accident, for which they may also rely on expert witnesses. You should know the strategy they would be using for the case. For this aspect alone, you can ask these questions listed below –
- How will you gather evidence related to the accident?
- What information or details do you want from me?
- How often can I expect to get updates? How can I communicate with you?
- Do I need to talk to the insurance adjuster? If yes, what mistakes should I avoid?
- What is the expected timeline?
A competent lawyerwill ensure you have a fair overview of the expected outcomes but will never make a promise.
James Pierce
Author
Paolo Reyna
Reviewer
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