5 Questions to Ask Your Car Accident Attorney Before Filing Your Case
Some attorneys will promise you the moon but leave you with more questions than answers. Others might have the skills but lack the personal touch you need during such a vulnerable time.
You don’t want to wait until you’re knee-deep in the process to realize you’ve hired someone who isn’t the best fit.
When you interview your lawyer during that first visit, be sure to ask them these five essential questions to determine whether you’ve got the best car accident attorney for your case.
Who’s Actually Going to Work on My Case?

This one’s a biggie. You might meet with a seasoned attorney who makes you feel like you’re in great hands. But what you might not know is that, in many larger firms, the person you meet isn’t necessarily the one doing the heavy lifting. Your case could get passed to a junior associate, a paralegal, or someone else entirely.
While they may be qualified, you need to know exactly who will be working on your case day-to-day. This is important because handling a personal injury case involves lots of details, including gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, negotiating with insurance companies, and potentially going to trial.
Ask your attorney if they’ll personally be handling your case or if someone else will take the lead, especially when it comes to major parts like negotiations or court appearances.
What’s Your Honest Opinion About My Case?
Before you even get started, you want to hear your attorney’s opinion on the strength of your case. You need to know whether they think it’s strong enough to pursue or if it might be better to settle with the insurance company. A good attorney will be upfront with you about what they think, whether it’s positive or not-so-great.
This question helps you understand if your case has a solid foundation. For example, if the other driver clearly caused the accident and there’s strong evidence, your case might be on solid ground.
How Do You Charge for Your Services, and What Additional Costs Should I Expect?
Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, but you also have to know exactly how much the attorney will take if you win and whether there are any other costs you’ll be responsible for.
For example, even with a contingency fee, you might still be on the hook for expenses like court filing fees, paying for medical records, or expert witnesses. These costs don’t always come out of the attorney’s pocket. Make sure you ask for the full breakdown and clarify it upfront so there are no surprises later on.
You want to know exactly how the costs will be calculated, whether you’ll have to pay any costs in advance, and what percentage of your settlement the attorney will take. This will help you avoid unexpected expenses and get a clear picture of what your financial situation will look like as your case moves forward.
What is Your Approach to Handling My Case?
Every car accident case is different, and each attorney has their own way of handling things. You should ask your attorney how they plan to handle your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating with the insurance companies to going to trial if necessary.
Knowing how your attorney approaches cases will help you understand if their style works with your needs. Some attorneys are more aggressive in negotiating settlements, while others may prefer to take things slowly and settle only when they’re sure they have the best deal.
The more you know about their process, the easier it’ll be to trust them with your case. Bonus points if they mention bringing in specialists, like accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals, to strengthen your argument.
What’s the Expected Timeline and Outcome for My Case?
It’s natural to want to know how long it will take to resolve your case. Car accident cases can take months or even longer, especially if they involve serious injuries or complicated issues.
You want to ask your attorney how long they think it will take for your case to be resolved, as well as what factors could speed up or slow down the process.
Having an idea of the timeline helps you plan your finances, especially if you can’t work while you recover from your injuries. If your case takes longer than expected, you’ll know ahead of time that you need to be prepared for the extra time.