The process of hiring a lawyer in California is similar to any other hiring process. You make inquiries to ensure that the prospect is suitable for the situation or position at hand.
It’s even more critical now because there’s a lot at stake. To make sure you’re hiring a Los Angeles car accident lawyer who will truly help you get the compensation and support you need, there are some crucial questions you should ask before signing on the dotted line.
Do You Have Experience Handling Car Accident Cases?
The first thing you need to know is if the lawyer you’re talking to actually knows their way around car accident cases. It might seem like any lawyer could help you with this, but car accidents come with their own set of challenges that demand a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law, specifically in this area.
Car accidents aren’t as simple as just proving who was at fault. There are medical bills to sort through, police reports to read, and sometimes, even the insurance companies can be difficult to deal with. A lawyer who’s worked on plenty of these cases will know exactly how to handle all of that.
Will You Personally Handle My Case, or Will It Be Passed to Another Attorney or Paralegal?
This one is super important because it sets the stage for how your entire case will go. Sometimes, when you hire a lawyer, you might think you’ll be working with them directly the whole time. But in some law firms, after you meet with the lawyer once, your case might get handed off to someone else, maybe another attorney or even a paralegal.
If the lawyer you meet with is the one who will be handling your case, that means you can count on them to be familiar with every detail of your situation. This is so important because your lawyer will need to be on top of everything, your medical history, your work situation, any special circumstances related to your case, and that requires direct involvement.
What Compensation Am I Entitled to After a Car Accident?
It’s important to ask your lawyer what types of compensation you may be entitled to based on your specific case. They should be able to explain the different damages you can recover and provide an estimate of how much your case might be worth.
The amount of compensation will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and whether the fault is disputed.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?
Insurance companies love to settle cases fast, but their goal isn’t necessarily to get you the full amount you deserve. In fact, they often offer lowball settlement amounts right away because they want to close the case quickly and pay you as little as possible. You should only accept an offer if your lawyer says the amount is fair.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
In California, you could still have options if the other party has no insurance. Many insurance policies have something called “uninsured motorist coverage,” which helps cover your costs if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage to pay for your damages.
But don’t assume everything will automatically fall into place. You’ll want to ask your lawyer how they can help you make use of that coverage and explore other options.
For instance, your lawyer might suggest filing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver directly, though this could depend on whether or not the driver has the means to pay.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Car Accident Case?
Since every case is different. Some cases settle quickly, while others can drag on for months or even years, especially if there’s a lot of back-and-forth or if the case goes to trial.
Your lawyer should be able to give you a rough idea of how long it will take to resolve your case, based on the specifics of your situation.
