There’s a saying that the ignorance of the law excuses no one, and this is true on all aspects. It is essential, therefore, for all citizens of a country or a state to know its national and local laws. However, sometimes, the law can be too complicated to understand. In situations like these, it’s better for us to leave it to the experts or those who spent years studying and mastering the law.
The mere fact that you’re driving a vehicle should be a reason for you to be aware of vehicular laws. Whether you are a passenger or a driver, a sole proprietor of a small business or the head of a big company, it is imperative for you to know about the car accident laws in Texas just in case you get into one.
Sometimes, learning about complicated laws might take up too much of your time so you’d rather let professionals handle the litigation. If you prefer to hire lawyers like those from Legacy Car Accident, you can ask them these questions before you start:
1. What is your specific area of specialization?
When you go to an expert, you would let a professional do what he or she is licensed to do. For example, you want to go to a doctor for your child’s health, you’d make sure that you’re approaching a pediatrician instead of a gynecologist. Your lawyer may be an expert in personal injury and car accidents. However, you have to dig in deeper in finding out whether their specific field of specialization or expertise is the one that suits your needs.
Sometimes, it may happen that although your lawyer also handles car accident cases, that is not their expertise, as they might be more inclined towards criminal law, or contracts, or the like. Hence, it is best for you to be sure that he/she is an expert in that field.
Here are some reasons why you should know the accident lawyers’ specializations:
- You have to be aware of whether or not your lawyer really has a specified field of interest in personal injury and traffic accidents to ascertain if he or she is equipped with the necessary knowledge to give an in-depth defense of your case.
- The laws in Texas can be very vague and numerous, and it is difficult to master them all; your lawyer has specialized in one field of expertise and this will be an advantage for you.
2. What is your trial record?
Before a company invests their time and resources on an employee, they normally ask for a resume or list of credentials. Asking your lawyer for his or her trial record is no different. Do not forget that the outcome of your case will affect your life significantly. You need to ensure a high probability of success, and your lawyer’s track record can give you this assurance.
Here are some of the reasons why a trial record is a must before getting an attorney on board:
- The trial record gives you numbers as to your lawyer’s success rate with cases he/she has handled. A higher success rate can build up your confidence and trust, which is essential in any lawyer-client relationship.
- The trial record will give you an idea as to how hard your lawyer studies and prepares to win a case—and you can assume this will be the same for your case, too.
After you’ve laid out your case to your attorney, ask if he/she has handled a situation similar—or even a more difficult case. If they have, then this should be good enough for you. It’s not the time for you to take your chances and gamble on a lawyer that lacks experience or lacks confidence.
3. How long does it take until a final verdict comes out?
This question should be one of the most critical questions that you will have to ask your lawyer. Although each case may vary, even those with similar circumstances as yours, it will be good for you to at least have a timeframe estimate of how long the trial will run. You will be spending time and money for the case, so it would be nice to have an idea as to how long you’re expected to wait.
4. Are you a Board-Certified Specialist in Personal Injury Trial Law?
For accident lawyers, those honors, distinctions, and certificates matter. These will give you the confidence boost to make sure that your case will be going as positive as it should. There is an existing Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and you should ask your lawyer if they are certified in personal injury by this board.
5. How often will we be communicating?
It can be hard to tell whether a lawyer is wholly committed to your case, or if somewhere in the process after hiring, he or she has gone passive. Lawyers are very busy people, and it can be hard to get a hold of them sometimes. It will be good to know how you can communicate with each other, or how often you should expect an update from him or her so you won’t be left anxious all the time.
You should also know how to contact your lawyer immediately in case of any emergency that would entail his or her service or presence.
6. What is the total estimate of fees and costs for my case?
This question sounds like a pretty basic question for anyone seeking the services of a lawyer to ask. However, believe it or not, sometimes, clients forget to ask this, maybe out of intimidation, or because they’re just overwhelmed with information.
The schedule of fees for your case should include the following:
- Acceptance fee. This is the fee that you pay your lawyer once he/she accepts you as a client and agrees to handle the case for you.
- Retainer fee. This is the fee you have to pay your lawyer to keep him or her and maintain their services until final judgment has been served.
- Appearance fee. This is the fee you pay your lawyer every time they have to appear in court for you.
- Filing fee. This is the fee you pay in the courts upon the filing of your case.
- Notarial costs, if necessary; This is the minimal fee that you pay your lawyer or a public notary whenever a public or private document is required by the courts to be notarized.
- And other expenses that are directly and necessarily essential until the final adjudication of the case.
Invest Time in Looking for Suitable Lawyers
Looking for, and trusting the right personal injury lawyer in Texas is not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes, you may not even know where to start your search. These questions can help you find the lawyer that is right for you and can also help you build an effective attorney-client relationship. Now that you have these questions as a guide, you can be more assured that every dollar you spend on the services of your attorney will go to good use.