Important Questions When Hiring A Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Posted on: 19 August 2015

Were you recently rear ended or otherwise the victim of a car accident? Are you considering hiring a motor vehicle accident lawyer to sue for medical expenses or to get reimbursed for a new car? If you've never been involved in a lawsuit before, the process can seem complicated and scary. Here are some questions to ask your lawyer to make sure you understand what's going on:

How do you charge? If you aren't able to afford a motor vehicle accident lawyer out of pocket right now, you'll want to find a lawyer that will only get paid if you win your case. Lawyers who accept cases on a contingency basis like this will take a percentage of your awarded damages, usually around 1/3rd of your settlement. On the other hand, if you have a very strong case, can afford it, and are suing for a high amount, you may want to find a lawyer who charges on an hourly basis. Although your out of pocket costs will be higher, you're likely to end up with a much larger percentage of your settlement.

What court fees will need to be paid? Whether or not a lawyer charges an up-front fee has no bearing on whether you'll need to pay any court fees. Not only are there fees for filing the case itself, but things like subpoenas may require additional money. If money is tight, many jurisdictions offer reduced or waived fees for hardship cases. A good motor vehicle accident lawyer will be able to explain the process to you. If allowed by the court, he or she will be able to file on your behalf to have the fees waived.

What areas of law do you specialize in? Lawyers, just like doctors, specialize in different things due to the complicated nature of their work. If there was a motorcycle involved, whether or not you were the one on the motorcycle, you want your motor vehicle accident lawyer to be as familiar with motorcycle law as possible. If you were rear ended, you'll most likely want an attorney who specializes in rear end accident cases. 

How often will we discuss the case? A good motor vehicle accident lawyer will provide at least weekly updates, even if there is nothing to report. They may do it over the phone, or you might agree to do it by email. Crucial information should obviously be relayed as soon as it's received by the lawyer. Your first meeting should also be with the lawyer himself or herself and not one of their paralegals or other staff members. A paralegal or other employee may be able to file paperwork, but is not legally qualified to answer questions you might have about your case. 

For more information, contact a firm like Shaevitz Shaevitz & Kotzamanis.