10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Albuquerque
The Albuquerque car accident lawyer you hire will be the one responsible for protecting your rights and interests. They are also the lawyer who will handle all of the legal work involved in a car accident victim’s case. However, not all Albuquerque car accident lawyers are created equal! In this blog post, we will talk about the 10 questions to ask before hiring a car accident lawyer in Albuquerque.
For some people, the thought of an auto accident brings up memories of being stuck on the side of the road or sitting through hours-long doctor’s appointments waiting for test results. For others, it means having to decide between paying for food or rent because they can’t work anymore due to medical reasons from their injuries. If you decide to hire an Albuquerque car accident lawyer, you should be prepared to ask them certain questions to decide if they are the right fit for you.
1. What types of cases does the lawyer handle?
Many lawyers try to only dabble in car accident cases or personal injury cases. Oftentimes they do this because they think it is easy money. The lawyer you hire should only handle car accident cases and personal injury cases. If the lawyer does not have experience working on a case like yours, there is a risk that the lawyer will not know all the issues that can come up. You wouldn’t go to a pediatrician for a problem with your heart, would you? The same logic applies when hiring a car accident lawyer in Albuquerque.
2. Do they have experience handling claims similar to yours?
A lawyer may have handled twenty cases where someone was injured, but make sure to ask how many of those were similar to yours. Depending on your injuries, a medical expert witness may need to be retained to provide an opinion on the cause of your injuries. An accident reconstructionist may also be necessary to provide an opinion on the cause of the accident. No two car accidents are the same. However, similarities and experience can help ensure that your case is handled properly.
3. What kind of information should I provide to my attorney?
Your chances of winning a car accident case depend on several factors: what you were doing before and after; how much evidence there was; and whether or not witnesses support each side. A competent attorney will ask you to provide the information necessary for them to start building your case.
4. What results did they get on other claims similar to yours?
It’s important to know this, so you can decide whether the lawyer is the right fit for your accident case. Much like other accidents, car accident cases are complicated and require expert legal representation. The results of past claims should give you an idea of the types of cases the lawyer has successfully handled. Past results can also tell you which point in the process the claims were resolved.
You may also want to ask the accident lawyer in Albuquerque about any settlements or court decisions they have received. This can help you determine the likelihod that they will be able to get a good settlement on your claim. If only one out of twenty clients had success getting money then chances are slim that they would end up helping you get something back either through litigation or negotiations.
5. What damages will you be entitled to?
Your injuries and the severity of your car crash in Albuquerque may affect the types of damages you can pursue and how much money you can receive. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to damages for medical bills, future medical bills, pain, suffering, lost wages (past and future), and possibly even punitive damages. An attorney should go over each type of damage you may be entitled to so that you know what to expect in your case.
6. How long do they think it’ll take to resolve your case?
The length of time it takes for your case to resolve will depend on several factors. Some cases are more complex than others, and some people’s injuries are more severe than others. Some car accident lawyers are more aggressive and others prefer settling out of court – but your case is worth fighting for! Make sure you find a car accident attorney who will be willing to fight for your rights if that’s what it comes down to. It may take time (and additional costs may be incurred) before an Albuquerque injury lawyer can settle with all parties involved in your claim, so inquire about how long this process could potentially take. We have years of experience handling cases just like yours, so we can provide you with an estimate of how long it may take to resolve your case.
7. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
In most cases, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for personal injury is three years, while the time limit is two years from when your property was damaged. For claims against the government, you must provide notice of your claim within a short period. Always remember to ask how long you have to file a lawsuit on your claim.
8. What can you expect from your attorney during each stage of litigation?
Communication. When you speak with an auto accident lawyer in Albuquerque, NM, make sure to ask about their communication style and how they generally communicate with clients throughout the litigation process. Some clients like to be provided with updates more frequently than others. Some prefer emails over phone calls. Many law firms also use their attorneys like a salesman who signs up the client and then passes on the case to a team of paralegals. The attorney then becomes unreachable until money becomes involved. You should expect your Albuquerque car accident attorney to communicate with you at all times, not just during your consultation. You should also expect your lawyer to speak with you honestly about the status of your case.
9. Is the lawyer accepting cases like yours?
Car accident cases can be difficult to navigate. There are no shortcuts when it comes to recovering from an accident — especially ones with serious consequences. You need to make sure that the lawyer is accepting cases like yours. You also need to make sure that the lawyer is willing to do the work necessary to properly prepare your case.
10. How is the lawyer paid?
A car accident attorney should accept your case on a contingency fee. What is this? A contingency fee means you don’t pay anything upfront and the lawyer only gets paid if he wins your case. This means you do not need to worry about paying the lawyer’s until after they have recovered money for you!
There are many other questions you can ask. However, these 10 questions to ask before hiring a car accident lawyer in Albuquerque can help you decide if the lawyer you are talking to is someone you can trust to represent you in your case.
Contact your Albuquerque car accident attorney today for a free consultation
It can be difficult to know the right lawyer for your car accident case. There are many factors you should consider when choosing a good one. These factors include the injury severity, experience with complex cases like yours, and whether they will take on new clients. You may also want to look at their past verdicts so that you have an idea of how successful they’ve been in similar cases. If any of this sounds complicated to you – don’t worry! Call Garcia Legal today and we’ll help walk through all of these considerations together over the phone or by meeting in person. We’re here 24/7 365 days per year ready to answer questions about our legal services and get started with your free consultation call (505) 297-1222.
