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9 Questions Your Auto Accident Lawyer Will Ask You

If you’ve been in a car accident, getting a good auto accident lawyer can make all the difference. The perfect settlement, a smooth process, and proper procedure all come from hiring an attorney. However, an auto accident lawyer has a difficult time being prepared if you can’t answer these questions.

When did the accident happen?

The time and date of the accident are easy to answer, but you’d be surprised how many clients cannot respond to this question with certainty. Before you meet with your auto accident lawyer, you should be prepared to answer this question precisely. If it was late at night, then this could place more liability on the other driver or even you. Knowing the time and date is essential to your case.

How exactly did the accident happen?

When you answer this question, you need to include as much detail as possible. If necessary, request a car accident reconstruction. While this may seem unnecessary for some, it can give the auto accident lawyer a full view of what happened and how.

Is there a police report?

If the police were called, there should be a report. The report should be accessible from the police station a few days after the accident occurred and the report was filed. Some police stations require you to pay to receive your accident report, but it could provide valuable evidence for your auto accident lawyer.

Did the other drive admit fault?

Admitting fault is a great thing for your case, especially if it’s in the police report. Admitting fault means that the other driver has already claimed responsibility for the accident. In some states, simply saying “I’m sorry” is an admission of responsibility. Your auto accident lawyer will be much more informed if you're sure to inform him of anything the driver said.

Do you have a complete list of property damages?

If your car was totaled, bring information from your insurance company that states the total cash value of your vehicle. You can also sue for any property that was damaged in the car during the accident. Before you visit, you should compile every example of property loss or damage.

Did you get medical care? Where?

Some people immediately go to the hospital after they’ve been in a car accident. Knowing where you went and what services you received is essential. This can include any x-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostic tests that were performed on you before or after your initial visit to the hospital.

Do you have a complete list of injuries?

A complete list of injuries is extremely important, no matter how small. If it has been aching since the accident, you need to let your auto accident lawyer know about it. It’s vital that your attorney knows everything so that they know the amount of damages to recover. You don’t want to have issues with your knee months after settlement to find out it was due to the accident.

Do you know the insurance policy limits of the other party?

Even if the value of your accident is hundreds of thousands of dollars, you may only have the ability to recover the amount indicated by the insurance policy limits of the other party. If their limit is $50,000, it is going to be very tough for your auto accident lawyer to get more than the insurance policy limits of the other party.

Do you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?

Sometimes people don't have insurance, or enough insurance to cover a car accident. In a case like this, you may have to use your own insurance to compensate for the damages. Before you see your auto accident lawyer, you need to bring copies of your insurance policies, even if you aren’t sure if the driver can cover your injuries.

Last Updated: March 29, 2017