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How to Choose the Best Wyoming Car Accident Lawyer for You: The 10 Essential Questions to Ask

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After a car accident, you should hire an experienced attorney to help you obtain compensation.

Insurers are not anxious to give generous settlements, and it isn’t unusual for a person without an attorney to walk away with very little money after negotiations conclude.

In fact, some people will get no money, regardless of the strength of their claim.

But how do you find the best car accident lawyer in Wyoming? Fortunately, most attorneys offer free consultations where you can meet and ask questions.

Below, we provide a list of the 10 essential questions you should ask.

1. Should I Settle My Case?

Most car accident cases settle. A settlement has many advantages, including speed and finality. You will be guaranteed some money and not have to run the risk of losing at trial. If you decide to go to court, you also must deal with the stress inherent in testifying.

2. How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

Many people hesitate to hire an attorney because they don’t think they can afford one. Fortunately, most car accident lawyers in Wyoming use contingency fee agreements.

In this type of arrangement, the client pays no upfront attorneys’ fees. Instead, the client agrees that the attorney can take a portion of their settlement or jury verdict, usually 33-40%. So if a client gets $100,000 in a settlement, the lawyer might take around $33,000 to $40,000.

3. What are the Strengths and Weaknesses of My Case?

Just because you were injured in an accident doesn’t mean you have a legitimate claim against another driver. Instead, you’ll need to prove that the driver acted negligently, meaning carelessly.

For example, a negligent driver might have been distracted, talking on a cell phone, or failed to use their turn signal or mirrors. Your attorney should ask questions during the consultation to better understand how the accident unfolded.

4. How Do You Communicate with Clients?

No client wants to be in the dark about the status of their case. During a consultation, you should clarify how the lawyer communicates with clients. Does he or she use email, phone, mail? Does the lawyer allow for drop-in visits?

Also, check who you will speak to. Will you meet with a case assistant or paralegal? Or will you be able to talk to the lawyer?

Without good communication, the attorney-client relationship can fail. You should check ahead of time.

5. Should I Sign this Settlement Agreement?

You should definitely have an attorney check a settlement agreement before signing it. All agreements will have a waiver included. This waiver prevents you from suing this defendant in the future for the same accident. So the money you get in the settlement is all you will receive. You should check ahead of time that you are receiving a good deal.

6. How Much Compensation Can I Receive?

This depends on a case-by-case basis. If another driver is responsible for your accident, you can receive money to pay for medical care, including future medical care. You can also receive money to cover lost wages, lost future wages, and any property damage.

Many clients also qualify for money to cover pain and suffering or emotional distress. A bad accident can leave you in considerable pain and cause depression, anxiety, and anger. You can receive money for these injuries as well.

Of course, the amount is a little harder to calculate than adding up how much medical care costs. Generally, however, the more serious your injuries, the more you can receive in pain and suffering and/or emotional distress.

7. How Long Does Settlement Take?

It will depend on the complexity of your case. If there is a question about who is responsible for the crash, then settlement can take longer. If liability is clear, then you could receive a settlement in a shorter amount of time. Usually, we like to wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement because then the full costs of your injuries are known at that point.

8. How Long Do I Have to Sue?

Wyoming has a statute of limitations that gives injured motorists 4 years to bring a lawsuit. Hire a lawyer as soon as possible so you won’t miss this deadline. Even if you want to reach a settlement, you should not let the limitations period run out.

9. I Admitted Fault at the Scene of the Accident; is That a Problem?

It could be. Wyoming has a shared fault rule which you can find at WY Stat. § 1-1-109. If you were more than 50% responsible for the accident, you won’t be able to receive compensation in a lawsuit.

However, you can still receive something if you were less than 50% responsible. Nevertheless, the amount you can receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

10. How Will I Know I Have Found the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Wyoming?

You should feel confident after your consultation that the lawyer knows what he is talking about and has the necessary experience. Some lawyers handle only one or two-car accident cases a year, whereas others handle many more.

At Platte River Injury Law, we have helped countless people like you receive the compensation you need after a crash. Please contact us today. We offer a free consultation to those who reach out to us.

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