11 Questions to Ask Your Tucson Car Accident Lawyer

Recent statistics reveal that approximately 13 car accidents happen every minute. The National Safety Council says that in 2020, about 4.8 million people were seriously injured and that those car accidents cost the American economy $474 billion.

When you experience a Tucson car accident, you need an Arizona-licensed car accident attorney to help you recoup compensation for the damage you have incurred. Navigating insurance companies, parties at fault, negotiations, legal jargon, etc can be challenging.

Do not go it alone. The best decision you ever make is hiring a lawyer, but only if you find an attorney right for you and your case.

To hire the best, you must ask the right questions when you first meet. Here is what to ask and get to the heart of your vehicle accident matter.

1. How Long Have You Practiced Law in Arizona?

You want a vehicle accident lawyer with significant experience. It is just as critical that your attorney is not only eligible to practice law in the state where the vehicle accident happened but that they worked on many cases in your area. Each state has various laws regarding car accident claims, and you need an advocate well-versed in that state’s laws.

A brilliant car accident attorney must know of personal injury claims, especially in cases where the car collision caused you physical harm. Beyond personal injuries, you will need a professional attorney who exclusively works with vehicle accident claims.

2. Have You Worked on Similar Cases?

Hiring a lawyer is the first item you must tackle following a car crash. However, every car accident case is different. The circumstances surrounding them will vary.

When a vehicle accident lawyer is familiar with the specifics of your collision, they can determine what needs to be done for a satisfactory result. This means that when hiring an attorney, they should complete tasks for you that include:

• Identifying the at-fault party
• Collecting evidence
• Investigating the claim
• Determining the damage amount
• Examining medical records
• Negotiating a settlement
• Representing you in court if needed

The more unique facts you have about your accident, the better off you are with a lawyer intimately familiar with your auto accident and cases like it. This can help them work toward a probable outcome significantly in your favor.

3. Is Your Case Viable?

Before working on your auto accident claim, you must ask what the personal injury lawyer thinks about your chances of being advantageous. One such factor is being sure of who is liable.

Your auto insurance policy should have liability insurance, but there can be minimal coverage that will not give you adequate compensation. Plus, when another party is at fault, they reimburse you.

Further, Arizona is a “Comparative Negligence” state. This means that even when hiring a lawyer, a court may reduce how much you can recover for damages if there is a degree of negligence on your side. For example, if they find you are 10% at fault for a vehicle accident, and the damages total $20,000, they will subtract 10% and grant you $18,000.

4. Will You Personally Handle My Case?

Hiring an attorney can mean working with the entire firm, too. You may be disappointed if you like the first lawyer you speak with and later find out that another attorney is handling your case. It would help if you asked upfront who the individual lawyer is who will take your case.

Paralegals and junior associates can help with your case. Your car accident attorney must supervise them. Your lawyer should handle your negotiations with the insurance company and potentially represent you in court.

5. What Is Your Success Rate?

You want comfort knowing that you are hiring an attorney with experience winning cases and achieving maximum compensation. When meeting with an attorney, you can ask for real-life examples of outcomes like your case. Likewise, it would help if you understood how often they settle these cases and how often they go to court.

6. What Is a Realistic Expectation of Compensation?

Based on the initial facts of your case, many attorneys can have an estimate in their minds as to what your vehicle accident is worth. An assessment can also help determine if you have a case worth pursuing. The amount a lawyer thinks is not definitive because they need all the evidence to arrive at an actual settlement amount.

Multiple influencing factors must be considered. This includes evidence, liability, the severity of your injuries, time lost from work, etc. The Insurance Information Institute says that car insurance companies paid approximately $20,235 on average per bodily injury claim for a vehicle accident in 2020.

In insurance, bodily injury coverage pays another party when they incur medical expenses because you are at fault. However, if the other party’s medical bills exceed the at-fault party’s coverage, the negligent person must pay.

7. What Is Your Current Caseload?

It is vital to work with a vehicle accident lawyer that is well-renowned and highly coveted. This shows experience. Even though you want the best attorney for your case to get optimal results, you need a lawyer with the bandwidth to pay attention to the details of your claim.

You will need to call or email your car accident lawyer, and you want them to be able to answer you timely. While it is a delicate balance, finding a brilliant lawyer who also has time to dedicate to your case, you can find one perfect for your claim. 

8. What Do They Need From You?

Some attorneys prefer that you take a backseat and let them work. Others prefer your input and presence throughout the matter.

You should also be ready to hand over information to work on your car accident claim. Compile the following details:

• Your insurance policy
• A police report
• Information exchanged at the vehicle accident scene
• Tickets related to the collision
• Photographs or video
• Statements
• Insurance claim documents
• Contact information for the adjuster
• A report from the insurance adjuster
• Proof of insurance premium payments
• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Psychological records
• Evidence of property damage
• Pay records

Ask about their preference and if they need anything outside this list, but also ensure that their expectations align with yours. You want to hire a match.

9. Will You Give a Detailed Evaluation?

Everything you discuss in your first meeting should be in writing. You want to walk away confident of the attorney’s opinion and what their strategy will be. Remember that the best attorneys take cases they believe they can win. 

If a lawyer does not think you have a viable case, they should tell you immediately. To get an honest evaluation, you must be clear about the facts and details of your case. The more information you offer upfront, the better an experienced attorney can decipher the outcome.

There is no time to waste, especially when there is a statute of limitations to meet. This is another reason you want to provide all the details right away. Once deadlines pass, whether with the insurance company or the court of law, you will have no options and zero compensation from the vehicle accident. 

10. How Long Will It Take For a Resolution?

For a claim that appears like it may go to trial, you can likely expect it will take years to resolve. According to recent statistics, approximately 95% of cases end with a pre-trial settlement, meaning only five percent go before a judge or jury.

Negotiating with an insurance company before threatening legal action also takes time. It may be several months of settlement negotiations. To keep the claim moving fast, you will want to respond to your car accident lawyer timely when they call you or request additional documentation. 

With experience, a lawyer should have an idea of how long it can take for a resolution. It is usually beneficial to conclude these matters swiftly, and a superior lawyer will work quickly to get your compensation.

11. What Will It Cost?

Often, a vehicle accident lawyer will work on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you will not pay a dime unless your case gets a settlement. However, if your case goes to court, you may be responsible for specific fees, such as court and administration fees.

The contingency fee will be subtracted from your payout for the bulk of it. The contingency fee is agreed upon before officially hiring a lawyer. This is perfect for you because if you do not win your case, you will owe the attorney zero dollars.

Since an attorney is getting a cut of the award, they will be invested in your case to ensure that the maximum award is the outcome.

A Tucson Car Accident Lawyer Who Fights For You

Get the resolution you deserve and let an intelligent Tucson car accident attorney help. At Sweet Lawyers, we know it is more than a vehicle accident claim. We aim to go the extra mile.

That’s because we are about helping people. Sweet Lawyers has a reputation for maximizing recovery and offering our clients peace of mind. It is time to focus on your future, and we won’t sacrifice high-quality personal service to achieve it.

Call Sweet Lawyers today for a free consultation.