7 Key Questions to Ask an Auto Accident Attorney in Washington

62,530 miles were traveled in Washington alone in 2019. No matter how safely you drive, you can’t prevent the negligence of other drivers. If you’ve been in a car crash in Washington state, you need to talk to an auto accident attorney about your rights.

Knowing what questions to ask ahead of time can help you prepare for your meeting and get the most out of your case. Keep reading for 7 key questions to ask an auto attorney in Washington state, no matter the size of your accident.

1. Do I Have a Case?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Washington, you probably want to learn about your rights to compensation.

The best personal injury attorneys who specialize in Washington car crashes offer free case evaluations. This is an opportunity to learn more about the attorney, but also about your case. Be sure to ask whether your case is worth pursuing and what types of damages you can expect to recover.

In Washington, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include expenses like lost wages and medical bills. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering.

Bring documentation including police reports, insurance paperwork, medical bills and records, and other related expenses to your meeting to provide your attorney with the clearest picture of your case and the damages you’ve incurred. You’ll also want to ask about any important deadlines for filing your claim.

2. How Long Have You Been Practicing Law?

If you want the best results for your case, you’ll want to choose an attorney with years of experience.

In addition to asking how long an attorney has been in practice, you should also ask whether they have ever had any trouble with their license. Have they ever been sanctioned or had any disciplinary actions taken against their license?

3. Do You Have Experience Handling Washington Car Crash Cases?

After you’ve confirmed that an attorney is licensed to practice law in Washington and has experience with personal injury law, you want to ask whether they have experience handling car accident cases like yours.

Personal injury law encompasses a variety of different types of cases. The best lawyer for you will be one who has experience handling cases similar to yours. You want to find a Washington accident attorney who specializes in auto accidents.

4. Do You Have a Proven Track Record of Success?

Nothing speaks louder about an attorney’s ability to handle your case than their track record.

When you meet with an attorney, ask them whether they have handled cases like yours before and what the outcome was. You can also ask for testimonials from former clients. You can often find this information ahead of time on an attorney’s website.

When clients get a fair settlement, they are more than happy to recommend their attorney to others. Attorneys with a history of great results will be proud to share this information with prospective clients.

5. What Are Your Fees?

Personal injury lawyers have a few different ways of billing clients. For example, some charge a flat fee, and others charge on an hourly basis.

The best Washington accident attorneys charge on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t pay until and only if you win your case and receive a settlement.

There are several reasons why this arrangement works best for clients. For one, you don’t have to pay upfront or worry about making payments while you are recovering from your injuries.

Your attorney will also have a stronger incentive to do the best they can for you and get you the biggest settlement possible. Be sure to ask if there will be any other fees related to court costs or records requests.

6. What Can I Expect Throughout This Process?

While your attorney doesn’t have a crystal ball, they should be able to give you some peace of mind about how the claims process will go. There are also some important follow-up questions to this one including:

• Are you prepared to take this case to trial if we can’t reach a fair settlement?
• What is your trial experience?
• Who will be my point of contact at your firm?
• Who will be working on my case?
• Can I contact you if I have any questions?

The right car crash lawyer in Washington will be happy to answer these questions and reassure you that they will take care of your case and keep you informed along the way. While the goal is to settle your claim without a lengthy trial, you want to choose an attorney who is prepared and qualified to fight for you in court if the need arises.

7. Why Did You Choose to Practice Personal Injury Law?

While this might seem like a strange question, it’s actually a really important one to ask.

Going through the process of a personal injury claim isn’t easy and one thing that can make all the difference is the right attorney. Your attorney is the key person who will be guiding you through this process to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Your attorney should be empathetic and practicing personal injury law for the right reasons. When you meet with a potential attorney for a case evaluation, ask them this question and listen to their response. The right attorney will have your best interest at heart.

When you can trust your attorney to treat your case as if it were their own, you can rest easy knowing you will get the compensation you deserve.

Do You Need an Auto Accident Attorney?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Washington, you need to know your rights.

Meeting with an auto accident attorney to learn more about your case is free and easy.

Click here to get started with a free case evaluation today.