If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a Kentucky car accident and are seeking assistance from a skilled car accident lawyer to help with your case, you need to be sure you make the right choice. Before you enter into any contract with an attorney at a law firm for help with your Kentucky car accident case, there are various questions you should ask to help you gain an understanding of the relationship and the path forward.
Most skilled and experienced Kentucky car accident lawyers will take these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that the client will not be responsible for any upfront or out-of-pocket costs related to their car accident case. Clients will only owe legal fees after their attorney obtains the compensation they are entitled to for their injuries. If the attorney does not win the case, the client will not pay. Not all lawyers use a contingency fee system, so be sure to ask about costs when you meet with your prospective attorney.
The Kentucky personal injury statute of limitations is one year from the date an injury occurs. This means that a car accident victim will have a one-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party. This time frame is shorter than in other states, so ask your attorney about whether or not your case will be able to move forward.
Ask your attorney about the chances or that your case will go to trial. The vast majority of car accident cases in Kentucky are resolved through settlements with insurance carriers. Even claims that necessitate the filing of a personal injury lawsuit are usually resolved before they go to trial. However, you want a car accident attorney by your side who has no problem taking your case to trial if necessary to ensure you are treated fairly.
Not only do you want a car accident attorney who has experience handling personal injury cases, particularly car accident claims, but you want an attorney who has been doing this for a while. A skilled Kentucky car accident lawyer will have extensive experience handling these cases will understand the tactics used by insurance carriers and legal teams to reduce your settlement. They will be your advocate.
Do not rely solely on the reviews placed on an attorney’s website. You also want to do an internet search and look for reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp, and any other review channel that the attorney’s name shows up on. This will give you a good idea about the experiences other clients have had with the attorney you are thinking about using.
While your attorney will not be able to give you the exact amount of money your case is worth, they will likely be able to give you a decent estimate after reviewing the evidence and talking to you. However, no two car accident cases in Kentucky are alike, and your attorney will tell you that any estimate they give you is subject to change as the case proceeds.