It’s tempting, after a car accident, to pass off responsibility. In many ways, you should give responsibility to others (like your family, your claims adjuster, and your personal injury attorney) so that you can focus on your recovery. Dealing with the consequences of a motor vehicle collision is a trying experience, after all. But don’t forget that the person who’s most in tune with your best interests is…well, you. With that in mind, when you go to your personal injury consultation with an Ontario car injury lawyer, make sure to take care of number one by asking these crucial legal questions.
- Do you charge a contingency fee?
This is probably the most important question that you can ask, because the answer decides whether or not you’ll owe money if your case proves unsuccessful. As opposed to an hourly rate, a contingency fee is a pre-arranged agreement whereby the client (i.e. you) only pays the attorney if they win their case. The fee is calculated as a percentage of damages, so remember to ask your attorney’s contingency percentage.
- Will my case go to trial?
While you might be picturing your case in a grand courtroom before a judge, the vast majority of personal injury cases in Ontario never make it to trial. Rather, most cases end with pre-trial settlements. Even without going to trial, it is not uncommon for negotiations to take up to a year or more, so be prepared.
- Who will be handling my case?
Almost any car injury lawyer works within a larger firm, so there’s a possibility that the lawyer you speak with during your consultation will not be the same one managing your case. Always speak with the lawyer on your case before making an agreement with a firm.
Now, armed with these crucial questions, you can be confident walking into your free consultation with a car accident lawyer.
Sources:
http://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/040195
http://thelawdictionary.org/article/pre-trial-settlement-percentage-statistics-on-personal-injury-settlements/