Questions To Ask a Lawyer After a Car Accident

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If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you probably have a lot of questions. One of these may be, “Do I really need to talk to a lawyer?”

The answer is that can’t hurt. In fact, talking with a car accident lawyer can be the best decision you make in the aftermath of a car accident. That’s because car accident lawyers are experts in personal injury cases. They understand how to recover damages for your injuries and are in the best position to get you the money you deserve.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Tampa, Florida, Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to answer all of your questions, and we offer a free consultation to do so. Contact a Tampa attorney today at (813) 686-7588 to schedule yours.

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How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Tampa

Before learning about the best questions to ask a lawyer after a car accident in Tampa, Florida, it can be helpful to understand the ways in which an attorney can help with your case.

The Tampa car accident lawyers with Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience. Further, we’ve collected more than $100 million for our deserving clients. When you choose us to represent you, we can:

Internally investigate your accident
Hire experts to bolster your case
Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
File a lawsuit against the at-fault party if they refuse to settle

We offer a completely free, no-obligation case assessment to learn about your situation and provide legal advice. We’re available 24/7 to take your call if you’re ready to get started. In the meantime, read on to learn about some of the most important questions to ask a lawyer after an auto accident.

Do I Have a Valid Claim To Assert?

This is probably the very first question you should ask an attorney after a car accident in Tampa. The reason is that Florida is a “no-fault” state when it comes to car insurance. All drivers in the state are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which provides limited benefits regardless of who caused the crash.

However, this no-fault system also means that you will be barred from filing a claim against the at-fault party unless you’ve suffered a “serious injury” as defined by Florida law. When you meet with a lawyer, they’ll be able to assess the facts of your accident and help determine whether it’s possible you can file a claim for additional compensation.

Do You Specialize in Car Accident Cases?

Personal injury is an expansive area of law, and many lawyers specialize in a particular type of case. Just because a lawyer is a personal injury lawyer doesn’t mean that they are an expert in car accidents.

It is important to ask your prospective lawyer if they specialize in car accident cases and how many car accident cases they have handled. If they don’t have experience settling and trying cases similar to yours, they may not be a good fit.

Do You Practice Law in Tampa, Florida?

Florida lawyers are licensed through the Florida Bar. However, it can be important that the attorney has experience practicing in Tampa specifically.

If you were in a car accident in Tampa, you’ll want a lawyer who has experience practicing there. Make sure to ask your lawyer where they regularly practice and if they have connections with the judges in the local courts.

How Long Does a Car Accident Case Typically Take To Settle?

Every personal injury case is different, and it is difficult to predict precisely how long your case will take to settle in Florida. That’s because it depends on the complexity of the case.

Some cases will settle quickly after brief negotiations with an insurance company. Other cases will require your lawyer to file a lawsuit and have a trial in court. Depending on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of the evidence, it may take longer to settle or try a case.

Your prospective lawyer will listen to your story during an initial consultation and can give you a general time frame based on their experience. This time frame may not be exact, but it is important. It will give you an estimate of how long a car accident case is hanging over your head and how long you must wait until you receive the money that you need.

Will You Talk With the Insurance Company on My Behalf?

Most car accident lawyers insist on negotiating with an insurance company on your behalf. That’s because insurance companies are looking for ways to get out of payment. A good car accident lawyer will talk directly with the insurance company and speak for you.

This keeps you from making a statement that might hurt the negotiations or slow down the process. You should ensure that your lawyer will talk to the insurance company on your behalf and use their persuasive and negotiation skills to get you the best settlement possible.

How Much Money Can I Expect To Receive?

The value of your personal injury case largely depends on the severity of your injuries. If you can step outside of the no-fault insurance system, that means you likely have severe injuries that exceed your policy limits.

In Florida, you can ask for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages commonly include expenses like:

Past and future medical treatment
Lost wages
Out-of-pocket expenses
Property damage
In-home care
Transportation to and from the doctor

Non-economic damages are awarded to recognize the non-monetary losses that you suffer after an accident. This includes:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disfigurement or loss of limb
Loss of companionship
Diminished quality of life

Your prospective lawyer will listen to your story and ask you questions about your expenses and non-monetary losses that happened as a result of the accident.

A Car Accident Lawyer in Tampa, FL, Can Help You

There’s no reason that you should feel overwhelmed or confused when talking to a lawyer. After writing down your questions and making a list, you should call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We’d be more than happy to speak with you about your case and discuss how we can help.