5 Questions to Ask an Auto Accident Attorney

Life can change in an instant after a car crash in Wyoming. Accidents are stressful regardless of the circumstances. But they are much worse when they cause serious injuries that will forever impact your life or that lead to the death of your loved one. Medical bills can also pile up and catastrophic injuries may force you to leave your job as well.

During such a time, it's normal to wonder whether you need the services of an auto accident attorney to help you build a strong personal injury claim. The simple answer is yes.

An attorney can help you with all the legal aspects of your case, including recovering various types of damages. You need the help of a qualified and experienced lawyer to ensure you secure maximum compensation after your accident claim. 

What To Ask When You Meet Your Auto Accident Lawyer

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is critical after an accident. In fact, it's advisable to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after your accident. There are specific questions you should ask when you meet your prospective lawyer prior to making your final decision.

Asking questions after an accident can help you know whether they are right for the job. Here are five important questions to ask your auto accident attorney before they take on your Wyoming car accident claim.

1. Can Tell Me About Your Background and Experience as a Lawyer?

A lawyer's area of legal specialty and experience matter in personal injury claims. While there may be many attorneys in Wyoming competent enough to handle your personal injury claim, their legal background matters in your accident injury claim. For example, hiring a lawyer whose sole focus is bankruptcy law or workers' compensation may severely impact your auto collision case.

An auto accident lawyer is most suited to handle your car wreck claim. Choosing just any lawyer who doesn't have a background in Wyoming personal injury law may jeopardize your claim.

2. Have You Handled An Accident Lawsuit Like Mine Before?

Remember to ask the motor vehicle accident lawyer whether they have taken similar cases before. Just because one is an auto accident injury lawyer doesn't make them fit for your case. They may be new to personal injury law, or they may be doing it part-time, or generally inexperienced in this field of law.

For this reason, it's also best to inquire about their success rate in cases similar to yours. Never assume that they have tried a similar case in front of a jury or had outstanding success with out-of-court insurance settlements.

3. What Financial Compensation Should I Expect From My Personal Injury Claim?

Personal injury claims revolve around justice and compensation. With the help of an experienced attorney who deals with motor vehicle accident claims, you can get financial compensation for injuries you sustained during the crash, like a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding.

An attorney for auto accidents should have a good idea of what your personal injury case is worth. At the very least, they should be able to explain how factors like liability and preexisting medical issues may affect your settlement offer or court verdict.

Apart from compensation for your medical bills, a lawyer can help you recover financial compensation for:

• Property damage
• Lost income
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Make sure you do your research and use your best judgment in evaluating a potential auto accident attorney's claims. Be wary of attorneys who make estimates that seem unrealistic. 

4. What Is Your Approach To Auto Accident Claims?

As a victim, it's easy to assume that your case is watertight and that you deserve maximum compensation for the type of injury you sustained after the accident. But auto accidents are very different from one another. 

For this reason, it's best to understand your lawyer's assessment of your case. What legal strategies or options do you have going forward? How will you handle settlement talks? Would you advise me to go to court if the insurance company offers a lowball settlement? These are some of the questions you should ask your attorney to find out how they handle motor vehicle accident claims in Wyoming.

The approach to your personal injury claim also depends on evidence regarding the accident, such as the crash report and dashcam footage. An auto accident with an uninsured motorist may require a different strategy compared to one with a drunk or speeding driver.

5. What Are Your Contingency Basis or Hourly Fees?

One common concern many auto accident victims have is whether they can afford a lawyer. Victims may wonder whether lawyers charge high hourly fees for representation after a crash. According to Wyoming's Rules of Professional Conduct, all fee agreements must be "reasonable." 

Don't hesitate to ask about the attorney fees they charge for their legal services. Do I have to pay advanced costs if I lose my case? Out-of-pocket costs involved in personal injury claims may include filing fees, medical records and police report retrieval fees, and expert witness costs.

Most auto accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — generally between 33-45% of the settlement or court verdict. You may have heard of the saying “we only get paid if we win your case” after your accident. This means that accident victims pay nothing upfront and attorneys only collect their fees once the responsible parties are liable for their actions. 

Have You Been in a Motor Vehicle Crash? Here's What To Do Next.

Good personal injury lawyers can be difficult to find. The stress of dealing with a frightening and confusing experience, injuries, and financial loss can be hard to bear for accident victims. Adding an inexperienced, unreliable, or bad lawyer to the equation will not help. 

This is why you need to ask the right questions before hiring an auto accident attorney. 

At The Spence Law Firm, our legal team is ready to answer any questions that you may have regarding your case. We will advise you regarding the time limits for filing claims in Wyoming and help you take the next steps.

Got any additional questions? Contact us today to speak to our auto accident lawyers.