Most of us don’t spend a lot of time suing or even seriously thinking about suing someone who has wronged us. Because of that, it’s not always obvious to know what you should talk to your South Carolina auto accident attorney about after a crash.
You should feel free to discuss all of the details of your case with your attorney and be completely honest. Don’t be afraid to ask questions you think might be silly. All of your questions are important and the consultation you have with your lawyer should leave you feeling knowledgeable and empowered to make a decision about what you want to do next.
To get you started, here are five questions you should ask your attorney in the first meeting.
1. How do you charge?
Most South Carolina auto accident victims aren’t looking to spend a lot of money on a legal services. The good news is that most personal injury attorneys will charge a contingency fee, which means they will take a percentage of whatever you win in the case and you won’t be responsible for the attorney fees if you lose.
Be sure to also ask about how other fees are handled.
2. Do I have a case?
Because most South Carolina personal injury lawyers work on contingency fees, some are not likely to take your case if it isn’t a strong one. But it’s important to know where you stand and how strong your case is before you decide to pursue legal action.
You will want to know whether fighting will likely win you more than you would get if you settled with the other driver’s insurance company right away. Ask your attorney to explain to why pursuing a case is a good idea or not in your specific situation.
3. What damages will we pursue?
Your South Carolina attorney will fight to make the insurance company pay for your medical bills and lost wages automatically. Beyond that, you could be eligible for pain and suffering compensation or punitive damages in the case of extreme negligence or drunk driving on the part of the defendant.
4. How long will legal action take?
This is never an easy question to answer. Good personal injury lawyers in South Carolina will always try to resolve cases quickly because it’s in the client’s best interest. You don’t want to be paying out for medical bills you can’t afford longer than you have to. Settling will typically save you time, but fighting usually helps clients recover more so they can pay more of their bills. However, every case is unique.
If you need help, your insurance company might pay medical bills, depending on your coverage. In that case, some of the damages you’re awarded would go to reimburse your insurance company. There are also companies that offer loans to people who are waiting for judgment in their insurance claims.
5. Will you be available?
You want to be sure that the South Carolina personal injury attorney you hire will be there for you. Make sure you will be able to get in touch with your auto accident lawyer when you need to ask questions and that he or she will keep you updated about your case and its progress.
If you’re thinking about pursuing a case after a car accident in South Carolina, contact Sink Law. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys are always available to answer questions. We offer a free consultation and will help you understand your rights and how to move forward after a car accident.
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