Fort Wayne car accident: Working with a personal injury lawyer

No matter the circumstances, car accidents and crashes are always stressful. When you have suffered injuries because of someone’s fault or negligence, it is wise to ask for legal advice. Indiana is a fault state, so the driver/party at fault should pay compensation for your damages. Although not compulsory, hiring a skilled attorney is important for your case. Below is an overview of how to find Fort Wayne personal injury lawyers and what it takes to work with one. 

Get an initial consultation

Just because you believe that you have a valid car accident claim doesn’t mean anything. A capable attorney is your best bet at understanding the possibilities of the case. Most personal injury lawyers in Indiana will offer free initial consultation for prospective clients. Ensure that you talk to the attorney in depth before taking the next step. 

Be honest

If you really want an attorney to help with your car accident case, you have to be honest. Indiana follows the modified comparative negligence rule. If you had a share of fault (no more than 50%), you can still file a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation for your damages. However, your share of settlement will be reduced by your share of fault in percentage. Always let your lawyer know what may have caused the accident, even when you are at fault or are unsure of what of who caused the accident. 

Ask the relevant questions

Ideally, a good lawyer will explain your options, Indiana car accident laws, statute of limitations and other details. However, you may want to ask a few specific questions like – 

1. What is my car accident claim worth?
2. How can my fault impact my settlement?
3. Have you worked on similar/comparable car accident claims and cases?
4. What were the outcomes of those cases?
5. How long will it take to settle the claim?
6. Do you expect the case to end up in trial?
7. If it does, can you represent me in court?
8. What will be my level of participation in the case? 
9. Will you work personally for me?
10. What are the expected expenses of the case?

The good news is most car accident lawyers in Indiana take up such claims and lawsuits on a contingency fee. You don’t need to pay the lawyer, until they win. Make sure that you contact an attorney soon after your car accident, so as to have more time to bolster your case.