Have you been in an accident that damaged your vehicle and possibly resulted in injury to yourself? Is trying to deal with the insurance company feeling like it's more stress than it's worth? In order to make money, insurance companies try to avoid paying out on as many claims as possible. This results in even valid claims often getting the runaround when all you want is for your vehicle to be fixed and your medical bills to be paid. When this is happening to you, one of the best things you can do is to hire a lawyer to help you with your case. They'll make the process go more smoothly and with as little stress for you as possible. In order to find the right lawyer for you, some questions you should be asking include:
What are your fees? In general, a car accident lawyer will take between 1/4 and 1/2 of whatever settlement they get for you, though you can typically expect them to take 1/3rd as their fee. Some lawyers may also have you pay for things like any court fees or fees for getting copies of the police report in addition to that percentage while other lawyers will take those fees out of their percentage. It's important to know which to expect before you hire a particular lawyer.
Do cases like this usually take long? Each case is going to be unique. No two accidents are going to be identical, even if the same insurance companies are involved. That said, an experienced car accident lawyer should have seen enough cases to know whether yours is open and shut so that you'll get your money almost immediately, or if it could be a bit while he or she deals with the insurance company. If yours is the type of case that typically winds up in actual court, your lawyer should be able to tell you approximately how long that might take.
What else do you need to get started? When you meet with a car accident lawyer for the first time, you should always bring a copy of the police report and any photos of the accident scene that you have. In most circumstances, this is enough to begin. But, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, the lawyer may also want things like doctor's reports or to talk to witnesses of the accident before the lawyer contacts the insurance company on your behalf.
For more information, contact companies like Anthony Smith Law, P.A.
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