An unexpected car accident can ruin your life. If someone’s negligence caused the accident, you can consider filing a personal injury lawsuit, seeking damages for your losses, injuries, and suffering. Indiana is an at-fault state, so the insurer of the party at fault will pay for your compensation. To understand your case better, you may want to talk to a Fort Wayne car accident lawyer. Here are some pointers to consider before you hire one.
- Specific experience
Personal injury laws cover cases related to defective products, car accidents, medical malpractice, premise liability, and even nursing home abuse. You need a lawyer who is experienced with car accident claims and lawsuits.
- Know your lawyer
As a potential client, you must consider knowing more about an accident lawyer. The best idea would be to ask questions related to their expertise and experience, such as –
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to car accident lawsuits?
- What percentage of your cases go to trial?
- What are some of your landmark/top cases?
You can also ask for references. Independent reviews posted by other clients on Google can help in comparing your choices.
- Discuss the costs
Most accident lawyers in Fort Wayne take up cases and claims on a contingency basis, but this is subjective and often dependent on many factors. If the lawyer is asking for a contingency fee, you need to know the percentage. Experienced attorneys can charge up to 40% of the final settlement. There could be other expenses, mostly related to litigation and investigation, which must be paid. Ask the attorney if they can advance these costs to adjust later. If you must pay from your pocket, you should be financially ready for that.
The “modified comparative negligence” rule
Car accident lawyers can negotiate the claim and handle everything for your case, so that you can rest and recover. There are, however, certain circumstances, when hiring an attorney is more than necessary. Indiana is a “modified comparative negligence” state. If a driver was injured but also partly responsible for the accident, they can still file for compensation. The compensation will be eventually reduced by the percentage of their share in fault.
Expectedly, drivers often try to shift blame on one another. When you meet an attorney, ask them about the “modified comparative negligence” rule and how that can impact your case. You can expect a free case evaluation from even top lawyers in Fort Wayne.
