Most Important Questions To Ask a Lawyer After a Car Accident

The injury lawyer you hire after a car accident in Philadelphia, PA, can affect many aspects of your injury claim, from the time to resolve your case to the money you eventually receive. But most accident victims have never hired a lawyer, and their inexperience can cost them dearly.

Fortunately, most accident lawyers offer a free consultation. You can use this consultation to interview the lawyer for the job of advising you and advocating on your behalf.

How Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Auto Accident in Philadelphia

Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers has fought for accident victims since its founding more than 30 years ago. Our Philadelphia car accident attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience representing injured clients against negligent drivers and their insurers.

Our personal injury firm has recovered over $50 million in injury compensation for clients, including:

We’ll have the ability to help with your case in the following ways once you hire us:

  • Investigate your case to determine all sources of your damages and to collect evidence
  • File a lawsuit if the other side refuses to agree to a fair settlement agreement
  • Keep you apprised of your legal options and rights at all times

A car accident in Philadelphia, PA, can produce injuries that permanently affect your ability to work or care for yourself. Contact our law firm Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030for a free consultation to discuss the compensation you can seek for your car accident injuries.

An Initial Consideration: Car Insurance Rules in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a complicated choice, no-fault car insurance system. As a result of the confusing laws and rules that determine what you can or cannot do after a car crash, most accident victims need to consult a lawyer after a car accident injures them.

When buying auto insurance in Pennsylvania, you must choose between limited or full tort coverage.

Limited tort coverage costs less but limits the compensation you can recover from the at-fault driver and their insurer. By contrast, full tort coverage costs more but allows you to pursue claims against the other driver for the full extent of your losses.

Limited tort coverage includes exceptions that allow you to bypass the limits on compensation and act as if you elected full tort coverage, but only in rare cases. You may need a lawyer to analyze your case to determine which type of coverage you have and whether any exceptions apply to you.

Under either option, you must prove negligence if you plan to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. Negligence means the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care. Again, you may need an accident lawyer to review your case to determine whether the other driver acted negligently.

Overview of the Most Important Questions to Ask a Lawyer After a Car Accident

You have a few goals when you meet with a lawyer for a free consultation. For one thing, you should learn as much as possible about your legal rights to decide whether to hire a lawyer. You should also ask the lawyer about themselves so you can compare them to the other attorneys you meet.

Based on the answers to these questions, you should be able to pick a lawyer who fits your needs.

Some questions to ask a lawyer after a crash include:

How Much Do You Charge?

One of the most important issues to discuss with the lawyer is the fee for your case. 

Most injury lawyers work for a contingency fee. This fee gets paid out of the compensation the lawyer obtains for you. As a result, the lawyer will start working on your claim without any upfront fees.

Ask the lawyer about the percentage charged. A typical contingency fee is around 33-40% of your settlement or damage award. You should also ask whether the lawyer anticipates any additional costs you might need to pay.

Do I Have a Case?

Because of Pennsylvania’s auto insurance system, you’ll need a lawyer to analyze your situation to determine whether you have a viable case. In some situations, you might need to seek compensation from your insurer under your limited tort insurance policy rather than pursuing the at-fault driver.

As you discuss your accident, listen to how the lawyer explains the relevant laws. A good lawyer will explain complex issues in a way you can understand. If their explanation confused you, it might also confuse a claims adjuster or juror.

Will You Represent Me?

Injury lawyers don’t take every case that comes their way. Since they only get paid if they win or settle the case, they’ll usually only take cases they feel good about.

Ask the lawyer whether they’ll represent you. If they agree to take your case, they’re probably confident they can secure compensation for you.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Philadelphia Car Wreck Attorneys

A car crash can endanger your physical and financial health. To get answers to the questions you have about your car accident and the compensation you can receive for your injuries, contact Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a trusted Philadelphia car accident attorney.

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