Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Before you sign with anyone, ask a lawyer about their car accident experience, how they get paid, how many cases they handle at once, and how they will keep you updated. Those four answers tell you a lot about how your case will be run. They also help you spot problems early, before a contract locks you in.
At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we answer these questions for injured people every week. Below, we cover the questions to ask before hiring a car accident lawyer, the red flags that call for caution, and what to ask about your own claim. You can also read how a New York car accident lawyer at our firm handles these cases.
Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Knowing which questions to ask before hiring a car accident lawyer makes it easier to compare firms side by side. Shulman & Hill suggests bringing a short written list to your first meeting so nothing slips your mind. A good lawyer will welcome your questions and answer them in plain words.
How Many Car Accident Cases Have You Handled?
Car crash claims follow their own rules, from no-fault insurance to the serious injury threshold that decides whether you can sue the other driver. A lawyer who mainly writes wills or handles divorces may not know these rules well. Ask how many car accident cases the lawyer has handled and how many went to trial.
You can also ask about results in cases like yours. Past results never predict your outcome. They do show whether the lawyer has worked with injuries like yours, such as back injuries, broken bones, or brain injuries.
How Do You Get Paid?
Many car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee. That means you pay nothing upfront, and the lawyer takes a share of any money recovered. If there is no recovery, you typically owe no fee.
Ask the lawyer to explain each of these in writing:
- The percentage the firm would take from a settlement or verdict
- Whether that percentage changes if the case goes to trial
- Which case costs, like filing fees or medical records, you may have to repay
- Whether costs come out before or after the fee is figured
At Shulman & Hill, we put our fee terms in a written agreement you can read before you sign. If a firm won’t show you its fee terms on paper, that alone is a reason to keep looking.
How Many Cases Are You Handling Right Now?
Some firms sign up huge numbers of cases and pass them to staff with little lawyer contact. Ask how many open cases the lawyer carries and who will do the day-to-day work on yours. It is fair to ask whether you will meet the attorney or only a case manager.
Shulman & Hill is not a high-volume mill. We focus on strategy and results for each client rather than signing as many cases as we can.
How Will You Keep Me Updated?
Poor communication is a frequent complaint people have about their lawyers. Ask how often you will get updates, who you should call with questions, and how fast calls or texts usually get returned. If English isn’t your first language, ask whether staff can speak with you in the language you’re comfortable using.
Our team at Shulman & Hill includes bilingual staff. We also tell clients up front who their main contact will be.
Red Flags to Watch for When Choosing a Lawyer
Not every lawyer is a good fit, and some warning signs show up in the very first conversation. Pay attention to how the lawyer treats you, not only what they say about your case.
Think twice if a lawyer does any of the following:
- Tells you what your case is worth before seeing your medical records
- Asks for money upfront on a standard car accident claim
- Won’t put the fee agreement in writing
- Pressures you to sign during the first meeting
- Can’t tell you who will actually work on your case
- Suggests you stretch the truth about your injuries
- Contacts you out of the blue right after the crash
That last point matters. Lawyers face strict limits on reaching out to crash victims who never asked for help, so surprise calls or visits after an accident are a warning sign. At Shulman & Hill, we would rather you take your time and choose a lawyer you trust, even if that lawyer isn’t us.
Questions to Ask About Your Own Claim
Once you know more about the lawyer, turn the talk to your case. Ask whether your injuries could be serious enough to sue the at-fault driver, or whether your claim may stay within no-fault benefits.
Ask about deadlines, too. The time limit to file a car accident lawsuit is often three years from the crash. Claims involving a city bus or other government vehicle can carry much shorter notice deadlines.
If you were driving for work when the crash happened, ask whether the lawyer handles both workers’ compensation and personal injury. Shulman & Hill handles both under one roof, which can help when a single crash leads to two kinds of claims. A lawyer who covers only one side may have to send you elsewhere for the other.
Why Injured Clients Choose Shulman & Hill
Since 2013, Shulman & Hill has recovered more than $1 billion for over 26,000 clients. Our attorneys bring more than 200 years of combined legal experience to car accidents, workers’ compensation, and construction injury cases. Past results do not predict future outcomes, but they show the kind of work we take on every day.
We run our own investigations in-house rather than handing them off. Our team gathers police reports, video footage, and witness statements to build each case. That evidence helps us push back when insurance companies try to pay less than a claim may be worth.
We work on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Our staff reflects the neighborhoods we serve. Many of our clients are bus drivers, home health aides, construction workers, and other working people who want a firm that treats them like a neighbor.
Get Straight Answers Before You Sign
The right questions can save you from a bad fit and help you find a lawyer who will stand up to the insurance company for you. Use the questions to ask before hiring a car accident lawyer covered here, and pay attention to how clearly each firm answers.
If you were hurt in a crash, Shulman & Hill can answer every question on this list at no cost to you. Contact us today for a free case review and get clear answers about fees, timing, and your next steps.