The immediate chaos after a car crash in Huntsville can make it difficult to think straight. People often look for specific answers that are unique to their case. Alabama is a fault state for all kinds of auto accidents. If you are hurt in a crash that happened due to the other party, you can sue them to get a settlement. However, the situation can evolve rapidly if you are responsible for the mishap to an extent. The state follows the contributory negligence rule. For the uninitiated, that means you cannot sue the other party even if you are at a lesser fault. No matter the situation, you need to engage an attorney, and you can consult The Harris Firm for a free consultation. Below is a list of questions for your attorney.
Is personal injury law your prime area of practice?
Understand that personal injury law is a specific area of law. Lawyers take a wide range of different lawsuits, but it makes no sense to choose someone because they have a law degree. Instead, look for specializing in the field. Also, there are several types of personal injury cases, and each one requires a different approach and specialized strategy. Dig deeper to know your lawyer better and understand whether their experience aligns with your needs.
What do you need from me?
To win a personal injury lawsuit, you have the burden of proof and should have the required evidence against the other party. Your lawyer will investigate further and gather more details, but if you can be cognizant and help with what you have, it is always helpful. Make sure you share all the details, including the police report copy and photos, pertaining to the accident.
What damages can I recover? What’s my case worth?
While lawyers will have to investigate more to determine the exact damages you can recover, you can certainly get an estimate. That gives you an idea of what the case is worth and whether it makes financial sense to proceed further. There is no correct answer, but experienced injury lawyers have their ways of evaluating claims. Stay clear of attorneys who promise an outcome or an exact figure.
What can you tell about my case strengths and weaknesses?
You must know the factors that are likely to impact your car accident claim in Huntsville. As we talked earlier, your fault may make it impossible to recover a settlement. Also, what you did after the mishap could be a critical factor. Know your case well, and the first meeting with an injury lawyer can give you a heads-up.
How do you communicate with clients?
You want to have access to your personal injury lawyer. It is best to know how you can contact when you have questions or want an update. Lawyers are busy professionals, but they often have an in-house team of juniors and paralegals who can offer the information you need.
How much would you charge?
Car accident attorneys typically get a payment out of the settlement they recover for clients, and that’s called a contingency arrangement. You need to know the percentage that you are required to pay. The contingency fee could be higher for cases that go to trial, but usually, there are no upfront costs. If there are other specific expenses that you must pay for, get a ballpark so that you can prepare accordingly.
Get a car accident attorney in Huntsville soon after your injury. You don’t want to waste valuable time that could be otherwise used to find evidence and talk to witnesses to strengthen your case.