Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

A car crash can change your life in the blink of an eye. More than 6.7 million car accidents occurred in the United States in 2019. That’s 12 accidents every minute. Many of these accidents are caused by another person’s negligence. If a crash resulted because of negligent behavior, the victims of those accidents are entitled to compensation, and a qualified Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help. 

However, you shouldn’t hire the first lawyer that appears in a Google search. Choosing the right car accident attorney for your case is vital. How can you assess a lawyer’s work experience? Does that attorney have a winning record for car accident cases? Answer these questions and more to determine if a particular lawyer will meet all of your needs. Here are seven questions you should ask a car accident lawyer upon your first meeting.

1. What Is Your Experience As a Car Accident Lawyer? 

The more cases a car accident attorney has handled, the more likely they are to win a settlement or a trial. The first question you should ask any lawyer should be about their experience. 

Make sure they have experience specifically in car accident cases. A personal injury lawyer may specialize in another kind of injury. It is okay to hire a general personal injury lawyer, but a car accident lawyer can use their unique knowledge to build your case. 

Don’t just take the lawyer’s word for it. Go online and read customer reviews about that lawyer and the law firm. 

2. Can You Tell Me About Similar Cases You Have Handled?

Asking for examples of cases similar to yours can help you understand that lawyer’s experience. It also lets you know how they investigate a crash and build a case. Car accidents require ample evidence to prove negligence, making the need for expert witnesses and personal investigations pivotal. If a lawyer has not worked on similar car accident cases, then he or she may not have sufficient resources to take on your case.

Listen closely and ask follow-up questions. Ask them how they worked with their clients and other attorneys. You can also ask them to talk about a case they lost. After they describe the case, ask them why they think they lost the case and what they would do differently next time. It’s also okay to ask for referrals, so you can speak with past clients and get their perspective on working with that car accident lawyer.

3. How Long Will the Car Accident Case Last?

If you were seriously injured, you may need to spend months recovering before you start your case. All damages can be compensated, but this means all injuries should be diagnosed and recovery treatment near complete in order to showcase the extent of damages.

With all of these details in mind, ask the car accident lawyer for a rough timeline of how long it will take to reach a resolution. It is okay if an exact time cannot be determined, but,t you should get a general understanding.

The discovery process will extend how long the case will take to conclude. This is the process when an attorney will take time to gather information to establish facts in a car accident case.  

4. What Is the Cost of Your Services?

You should understand how much money you could be owing should you choose to work with a specific law firm. However, you shouldn’t be scared away if a lawyer charges higher fees than the competitors. They may offer services that their competitors do not, such as working on contingency.

A contingency fee is when a car accident lawyer bills at the end of the case period and not by the hour or throughout the case period. In addition, contingency also protects clients. If the case does not result in rewarded compensation, the attorney will not bill clients for the work invested in the case. If they also offer a free consultation, then all the better.

5. What Is My Case Worth?

The comprehensive cost of a car crash measures the damage to your vehicle, lost quality of life, and health risks. The average comprehensive cost of a car crash that causes no injury is more than $50,000. You can lose an entire year of salary after an accident, even if you don’t get injured. 

You should receive enough money back to cover all expenses from your accident. You must ask the lawyer you are meeting with if you can cover your expenses after paying for their services. 

Several types of car accident injuries can occur after the crash. Neck pain can present a few days after an accident and PTSD can surface after a few months. These injuries can affect your payout, so make sure you tell that to the lawyer.

California is a comparative negligence state. You can recover compensation from an accident, but how much you were at fault affects your compensation. If you were at 10% fault, you will receive 10% less money than you normally receive. Ask about the percentage of fault and how that would affect your settlement. 

6. What Evidence Do You Need?

You need to help your car accident lawyer, regardless of who you hire. Therefore, providing them with as much information about your case as possible will help expedite the process and keep the investigation accurate. This includes providing all medical documents that outline your injuries, disclosing any pre-existing conditions, or sharing all of the details from the crash you can recall. Be sure to ask the lawyer what exactly they need to get their investigation started. 

7. When Should I Hear Back?

An attorney may need some time to investigate the collision and talk to their associates before accepting your case. However, they should get back to you within one to two weeks with their decision on whether they will or will not take your case. 

The amount of time it takes to get a response will also be indicative of how the law firm communicates and how proficient they are when it comes to its research methods.

Provide your contact information so the firm can reach you as soon as they make their decision. In the meantime, you can look at other local Los Angeles lawyers as an alternative.

Consult With a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Before you sign a contract with a car accident lawyer, you should ask them a few questions. Ask them about their experience specifically with car accident cases. Have them give you examples of cases. 

Ask them for some details about your case. You should know how long your case will take and how much money you can win. If you like the lawyer you are speaking to, you can ask them about the next steps, including what evidence they need. 

Don’t hesitate to talk to experienced professionals. The Law Offices of Daniel Kim can help victims of car accidents in Los Angeles recover from the devastating event. Schedule a free consultation with our LA office today to learn more.