If you have been involved in a vehicular accident in Houston, engaging a legal professional is a must to guarantee that your rights are upheld and that you achieve a fair settlement. It is also very important to personally consult with a potential Houston car accident lawyer before committing to hiring them.
This is the best way to ensure that your case will be handled by someone you can work with and whom your trust. But what kind of things should you go over in an initial consultation? Here are the top five things to ask any potential candidates at your first meeting:
What Experience Do You Have Handling Car Accident Cases in Houston?
When choosing a lawyer for your car accident claim, you want more than just a flashy name. Houston is profoundly different in terms of its traffic laws, local court procedures, and insurance regulations.
What experiences has your prospective lawyer had that relate specifically to these key aspects of traffic accident cases? Have they been around long enough to know how things are done, or might they have only seen one side of the equation (either the plaintiff’s or the defendant’s) in the traffic accident cases they’ve been involved in?
How Will You Approach My Case?
Every automobile accident claim has its own peculiarities, and only a personalized plan of action can ensure the best chance at a successful resolution. Thus, the very first thing an attorney should do when taking on an accident case is to formulate this strategy, which should be tailored to all the unique aspects of your given situation.
What Compensation Can I Expect for My Case?
Although a specific settlement cannot be guaranteed by any attorney, a seasoned Houston car accident lawyer should be able to give you a settlement range based on your case particulars. Ask your attorney about the nature of damages you might be entitled to, and any expenses that you are responsible following the settlement.
How Do You Handle Legal Fees?
The vast majority of lawyers in this specialty work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win your case. Their percentage of that win is your fee, and you should be perfectly clear about it before you enter into any official working relationship with them. There are also some possible additional costs you should ask about so you can be a well-informed consumer of legal services.
How Will We Communicate Throughout the Case?
A successful attorney-client relationship largely relies on effective communication. You should first ask how often and in what manner you can expect to receive updates, whether through phone calls, emails, or face-to-face meetings.
Knowing the style and the level of communication to expect ensures that you remain in the loop and are actively engaged throughout the legal process.
Don’t Try to Navigate the Complexities of Injury Law with a Houston Car Accident Lawyer
Selecting the appropriate Houston car crash attorney can greatly influence the final result of your case. Inquiring about these five things during a consultation will allow you to gauge their familiarity with your situation, their stance and strategy, and their honesty and openness; all essential factors in your legal decision making process.
