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Questions to Ask a Westchester County Car Accident Lawyer

11/29/21

After a severe crash, hiring a Westchester County car accident lawyer may seem like another stressful task on top of recovery. However, it doesn’t have to be if you already know what questions to ask and the type of answers you want to hear. 

How long have you been practicing personal injury law?  

Car accidents fall under personal injury law, and you might prefer that your attorney has extensive experience in this practice area. 

Will you be the attorney handling my case?  

If you hire this Westchester injury attorney, it is best to know whether they will be the one handling the case or if it will be passed onto another attorney or staff member. If anyone else will be working on your case, you need to know who they are and how much experience they have.

How many cases do you take on at once?  

If your attorney takes on too many cases at one time, yours may not get the attention it deserves. 

Has your license ever been revoked or suspended? 

This can be an uncomfortable question, but it is necessary to know if you are hiring a lawyer who has integrity.

How many car accident cases have you taken to trial?  

A lawyer with trial experience is critical since your case might end up in court.  

How does pricing work? 

A contingency fee agreement is generally the best option for car accident victims. There is no risk to you as you do not have to pay any money upfront to retain their services, and you only owe legal fees if you win. 

Do I have to pay if I lose my case?  

This answer is typically no legal fees, but you may still be responsible for other case-related costs in the end. 

How long do you think my case will take to resolve? 

An experienced lawyer cannot give you a precise answer but can typically estimate how long your case might take based on its unique circumstances and the severity of your injuries. 

Are there any potential issues or difficulties already evident in my case?  

Choose an attorney who is upfront about potential challenges and gives ideas on legal strategies to overcome them. 

Will my case need to go to trial?  

Bring up any concerns you have over going to trial, and check whether they think your claim can be settled for a fair amount. 

What do you think the outcome of my case will be?  

An attorney should never guarantee a specific result but can give you an honest assessment. 

What’s my case’s value?  

An attorney can’t give you an exact dollar amount but can give you a ballpark estimate based on their prior experience. 

Do you have references? 

Speaking to recent clients can give you a better idea of the attorney’s track record, how your case will be handled, as well as the level of interaction you will have with your attorney. Any Westchester County Car Accident lawyer should be happy to supply a list.