After suffering devastating injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, you may be anxious to demand justice. A reputable car accident lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and identify all parties that contributed to your injuries so you can recover the compensation you are owed.
Most respected car accident attorneys offer potential clients a free consultation. When you meet with a prospective Oklahoma car accident lawyer, there are many questions you should be prepared to ask.
The Most Important Questions to Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer
If you are scheduled for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer, it is great that you are starting to prepare ahead. Below, we detail some of the most important questions to ask your potential car accident attorney:
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYHow Can I Protect My Right to Compensation?
When you meet with your car accident lawyer, one of the first things you should ask is how you can protect your right to compensation. Many car accident victims make the mistake of speaking with the insurance company, for example.
Unfortunately, when you do so, the insurance company is likely to use any statement you gave them against you in the hopes of reducing their financial obligations. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to direct the insurance company to your car accident lawyer so they can answer any questions the insurance adjuster might have while simultaneously avoiding speculation, accepting liability for the accident, or expressing guilt. This way, you can avoid giving the insurance company an opportunity to reduce your settlement or deny your payout.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
Online, you are only going to find examples of how car accident settlements are calculated. When you speak with potential car accident lawyers, you can gain insight into how much compensation your case could actually be worth. You can expect your attorney to go over the various ways your life has been affected by your injuries.
This will include an analysis of your economic and non-economic damages. Economic losses are strictly financial, while non-economic damages ensure you are repaid for the ways you have been affected physically and emotionally. Examples of potentially recoverable damages following a car accident include:
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Skin scarring
- Vehicle repairs
- Disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Rental car expenses
- Loss of future potential earnings
- The diminished value of your vehicle
Some of these damages will be covered by the insurance company. Since Oklahoma is a fault state, the liable party should be ordered to cover these damages. You will file a claim with the insurance provider to access compensation for your medical expenses, personal property damages, and any other losses that are covered by the liable party’s insurance policy. Anything the insurance policy does not cover can be sought after through your car accident lawsuit.
How Long Will My Case Take?
It is difficult to determine how long it might take to resolve your car accident case. There are many factors that will be taken into account, including:
- Whether the person that hit you has insurance coverage
- How much auto insurance coverage the liable party has
- Whether you have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
- How much your claim is worth
- How many parties share liability for the accident
- Whether the evidence is readily available
Potential car accident lawyers should be able to carefully analyze the details of your case to give you a basic idea of how long it might take for you to access the compensation you deserve. Generally, the more complex a case is, the longer it will take to settle.
Who Will Provide Me with Case Status Updates?
You might be expecting to connect with your car accident lawyer every time you have questions or concerns. However, in cases where your car accident attorney is in court or otherwise unavailable, it is important to know who you will reach out to and which parties will provide you with regular case status updates.
Some law firms have paralegals and other legal assistants who answer client phone calls and provide clients with updates as needed. When you choose BDIW Law, you have a greater chance of speaking with your attorney directly when you have concerns or questions about your case.
Are There Any Deadlines I Should Be Aware Of?
There are many deadlines that could have an impact on the outcome of your car accident lawsuit and insurance claims. There are deadlines set forth by the insurance company and those set by the Oklahoma personal injury laws.
Insurance Company Deadlines
Insurance companies can place limits on how long claimants have to file a claim after an accident. Depending on the insurance company, you could have as few as several days to get your claim filed. If you do not file before this deadline, the insurance company may attempt to deny you the compensation you deserve.
Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
You must also be sure to file your car accident lawsuit before the personal injury statute of limitations expires. Oklahoma law allows for up to two years to pass before this deadline. This generally means you have two years from the date of the car accident to file a lawsuit.
However, there may be situations in which the statute of limitations is paused temporarily. This most frequently occurs in instances where minors suffer injuries or victims are not diagnosed with injuries related to the accident until days, weeks, or even months after the incident.
Your potential car accident or wrongful death lawyer should be able to give you an idea of the deadlines you need to meet so you can start working on your case in a timely manner and avoid being prohibited from seeking total compensation for your damages.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation Today
These are only a few of the most common questions to ask your car accident attorney. If you have additional questions and are unsure of where to turn for help, do not hesitate to contact our experienced Oklahoma car accident lawyers at the BDIW Law.
Our firm offers 100% free consultations to car accident victims across the state of Oklahoma. Claim yours when you fill out our secured contact form or call our office to schedule yours as soon as today.
