According to statistics, a total of 35,766 fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred in the US in 2020, resulting in a total of 38,824 deaths. Car accidents are frightening and can completely change your life and jeopardize the future. Insurance companies pressure clients to settle immediately after the accident, usually using a tough and aggressive approach. They know that you deserve more compensation, yet they are interested in protecting their bottom line and reducing their payouts. Therefore, you should hire a law firm to protect your rights, ensuring you are threatened relatively little throughout the legal process.
Although the city only has approximately 165,000 residents, Fort Lauderdale attracts roughly 12 million tourists yearly. Maybe that is why it alone had more than 6,200 collisions with a high mortality rate of 22.39 deaths per every 100K people involved in a car accident. Before settling any agreement, you should speak to experienced and professional car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale about your case and possible outcomes. They will review the situation and determine your eligibility to file the claim.
In case you do not want to file a lawsuit, your attorney can negotiate a better settlement with the insurance company. They can also calculate the highest amount you need to recover. The major problem, though, is finding a good car accident lawyer, so you should be extremely careful in this process. You should do proper research before hiring an attorney since it is very hard to switch lawyers in the middle of a case. Here are some questions you can ask your attorney to determine whether they are a good fit for you.
- What is your area of specialty?
As attorneys usually specialize in different areas, many attorneys are competent to handle auto accident personal injury cases. However, in this case, you may need an attorney with specialized skills to ensure a favorable outcome to your lawsuit.
- Can you work on my case?
After vetting and hiring an attorney, many people are dismayed to ask that. Knowing how many cases are usually passed to a junior partner or even a paralegal, you have the right to ask if the hired attorney will track your case and act accordingly. Even though both a paralegal and a junior attorney can perform their jobs professionally, you need to know upfront who will handle your case.
- What do you think about my case?
We believe that attorneys accept to work on your case only if they believe in their capability and the client. However, in this case, it is better to avoid issues that are not strong and do not promise to win in the court. You can settle with the insurance company outside the court and avoid inconveniences.
- How will you charge for my case?
Many car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Those attorneys usually charge a percentage of your total settlements (20-40 percent). This option is perfect for people who do not have enough money to hire an attorney per hour. The attorney can charge you additional costs incurred by investigation and preparing for a lawsuit, so make sure that you have understood all costs and fees.
- What should I do if I am contacted by the other driver’s insurance company?
Your attorney should provide guidance on how to handle communication with the other driver’s insurance company and may recommend that you refer all communication to your attorney to ensure that your rights are protected.
- How long will the process take?
You surely want to know this if you have suffered severe injuries following your auto accident. You would like to get money fast if you have high medical bills. Since many factors affect how long the process will take, you should know a general estimate.
- Can I improve my chances of success?
Many people believe that an attorney can resolve the problem, and the only thing they have to do is wait for the final verdict. However, you should be proactive in this case, and ask to see additional physicians, speak with investigators, and remain involved in your case.