Before going into consultation with a car accident lawyer, you should familiarize yourself with some questions to get the most out of your case. It is not mandatory to make these preparations with your car accident lawyer before the meeting.
How To Protect Your Car Accident Case
This is also one of the most frequently asked car accident questions by personal injury attorneys. In addition to preserving evidence at the scene and after the accident, your attorney will likely advise you to be wary of the other driver’s insurer and may ask you to refrain from providing a recorded statement to the insurer until your attorney is able to review the facts of your accident with you.
File Your Case Early
When filing a car accident lawsuit, you must be aware of several deadlines. The one thing you should know before hiring an attorney is that you only have a certain amount of time to file your claim. This is known as a statute of limitations, and in Florida, it typically means you have two years to file a lawsuit if you have been injured. You have no legal recourse against the other driver after that deadline. Throughout the course of your claim, your attorney will set their own deadlines.
Duration Of a Car Accident Lawsuit
When you ask a personal injury lawyer this question, you should expect an honest answer. A lawsuit can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year to resolve, whether through settlement or trial. This is due to the fact that obtaining full financial compensation for your car accident injuries and damages takes time. Furthermore, the insurance company will want to examine and assess each photograph, witness, and piece of information provided.
Damages You Can Recover
Every car accident is unique, and the available damages can vary greatly from case to case. While car accident lawsuits typically seek damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage, your attorney should be able to detail exactly what potential damages you are entitled to based on the facts of your accident and injuries.
However, if you hope for the best result from your case you must be prepared to answer these questions when you meet with your car accident lawyer.
1. When did the accident occur/happen?
This is a popular one with a simple answer. Provide the date the accident happened, though many individuals find it hard to ascertain the exact date.
2. Describe exactly how it happened.
The more details you provide, the better. However, depending on the severity of the incident, there may be a need for a car accident reconstructionist. To this end, you should provide as much information as you can. More so, if you can provide pictures, it would be of great help.
3. Is there a Police report?
If the police were involved, there must be a report. What are its contents? Who does it say is at fault?
4. Did the other driver admit fault?
If the other driver admitted fault, great!
5. When and where did you receive your first medical care and how did you get there?
Provide specific information.
6. What injuries did you suffer as a result of the accident?
Provide a complete list of all the injuries incurred from the accident. your car accident lawyer must know about every injury that resulted from the accident.
7. Were there MRIs or X-Rays? Were there any damages?
You should provide copies of the results of MRI, X-ray, and other diagnostic tests.
8. Do you believe there is any permanent condition?
If you feel you suffer an injury or pain that may seem unrecoverable, you should explore it with your doctor and report to your lawyer accordingly.
9. Do you know the insurance policy limit of the other driver?
Your case may be worth a million dollars or more. However, suppose the insurance coverage of the other driver is $100,000. In that case, getting more than $100,000 may be unachievable.
10. Do you have (UIM) Underinsured Motorist coverage on your policy?
You may also want to provide copies of your insurance policies to your lawyer. Too many drivers these days are uninsured or underinsured. You must know your coverage.
These questions are likely to come up in your first meeting with a car accident lawyer. Providing an accurate answer to all of them will form the basis of your representation. You can contact any of our attorneys at Schrier Law Group to help you claim your insurance rights and make your plea.
