Questions to Ask an Evansville Car Accident Attorney

November 27, 2024

A car accident is never that far away in Evansville, which saw 4,588 collisions in 2022 alone, though you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury case when someone else is at fault for a crash, and you could increase your chances of a favorable outcome with skilled legal assistance.  One of the best ways to assess potential lawyers is to interview them, so join us as we discuss pivotal questions to ask an Evansville car accident attorney if you are contemplating a claim. 

Question 1. Why Should I Retain Professional Representation? 

While you are legally entitled to handle your own Evansville car accident case, you could soon run into trouble if you attempt to do so.  This may be your first serious accident, but you can rest assured that it won’t be the first for a veteran insurance adjuster, who could take advantage of your unfamiliarity with the process to settle your claim for less or just deny it outright. 

But if this won’t be the first accident for the adjuster, it won’t be the first for a seasoned lawyer either, who will be better equipped to meet the insurance carrier on a level playing field, accurately calculate your losses, and build an airtight Evansville car accident case.  The experience that an attorney can bring to the table is a key reason why personal injury plaintiffs obtain 3.5 times more with professional representation, and any candidates who can’t convey their own value to you probably couldn’t convey your case’s value to an insurer, judge, or jury. 

Question 2. What Is My Case Worth? 

The answer to this question can be deeply revealing because providing an answer at all could be something of a red flag.  There may simply be too many unknown variables at this point for a lawyer to come up with a definitive number, such as the facts leading up to the car accident, the damages sustained during it, the identity of the defendants, and their insurance coverage and assets (or lack thereof). 

These and other elements could have a profound impact on how much you can receive for your car accident or whether you can receive anything whatsoever.  And though a capable legal practitioner will always strive to get you a top settlement or verdict, anyone who tells you exactly what that settlement or verdict should be is either dishonest or naïve, neither of which are qualities that you should seek out in an Evansville car accident attorney. 

Question 3. How Much Does It Cost to Hire You? 

The vast majority of car accident lawyers – including the dedicated Evansville car accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group – work on a contingency basis.  This means that it should not cost you anything up front to hire them, and they might cover some of the initial charges associated with an Evansville car accident case, such as the charges for filing a lawsuit or ordering a police report.  Only after winning your case should reimbursement be requested for expenses incurred out of pocket and payment for services rendered, usually as a percentage of your final compensation package. 

Given how common this fee structure is among personal injury lawyers, you might want to steer clear of an attorney who demands to be paid before getting to work, as such a stark deviation from standard practice may cast doubt on that individual’s intentions and belief in your case. 

Question 4. How Often Have You Gone to Trial? 

Most Evansville car accident claims can reach a conclusion without the need for a trial, though sometimes a trial can’t be avoided, especially if you are squaring off against a stubborn adjuster who refuses to negotiate in good faith.  If that should happen, it would be better to partner with a lawyer with a record of success in the courtroom rather than a lawyer who seldom, if ever, sets foot inside of one. 

A trial-tested litigator could be a boon even if you don’t go to trial, since an insurance company may be more generous with an attorney who can credibly threaten to take your case to court instead consistently agree to less out of fear.  Consequently, you could end up with more money in your pocket no matter how your case is ultimately resolved.   

Hensley’s Evansville Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help 

Hensley Legal Group has been staunchly advocating for the innocent victims of negligence since the firm opened its doors in 1998.  If you have been hurt by the careless acts of a careless actor, Hensley’s Evansville car accident lawyers are ready to help get justice for you and your family.   

For a free consultation with a knowledgeable Evansville car accident attorney, you can call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now.