Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring Attorney after a Car Accident in Iowa

Meeting with an attorney can be daunting, especially while trying to deal with injuries from a serious accident. Perhaps you are the spouse or parent of someone involved in an accident and you still don’t really know exactly what happened that fateful day. Maybe you are not even sure you need an attorney, but made the appointment at the urging of your friends and family.

Whatever the reason, the initial meeting with a lawyer will be much less intimidating if you know the right questions to ask. Take a minute to write these questions down or save them on your cell phone or tablet, in preparation for your initial consultation:

1. What is your policy on communicating with your clients? 

       Make sure that the attorney you decide to hire has an open-door policy that allows you to regularly speak with the people handling your case, and that you will be contacted each time there is an update to your case.

2. What will I owe if there is no settlement?

      No attorney should ever guarantee specific results, which is why it is important to steer clear of those that make promises. Look for an attorney who will handle your car accident claim on a contingency fee basis, meaning that the only attorney fee will be a percentage of the settlement. No settlement or win at trial, no attorney fee.

3. What types of compensation will you try to obtain?

      It is important that the attorney you decide to hire has a concrete plan to go after the following:

     - Medical bills

     - Lost wages

     - Pain and suffering

     - Future loss of income

     - Cost of any future medical treatment your doctor believes you may need

Of course, it is also important to enlist the help of an attorney with whom you feel comfortable. You are entrusting him or her to handle a very traumatic, life-changing incident, so make sure that the attorney welcomes any and all questions that you have and works to give you answers in a way that you fully understand.

Finding an attorney who has an array of videos on their website or YouTube may also help you to get an idea of their personality. Check out the videos produced by Walker, Billingsley & Blair or call them at (641) 792-3595 for additional information on the firm.