3 Essential Questions to Ask a Solicitor After a Car Accident

Car accidents are one of the worst things to deal with; you have to deal with the court, your beloved car is damaged, and you might have even received some injuries; all of this is just flat-out horrible. But with that said, in the end, right after you get into an accident, not only do you need to contact your insurance company, but you’re needing professional help, too- someone who can represent you. 

Honestly, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to hire road traffic accident solicitors to represent you and guide you along the way. You can’t do this alone, and you shouldn’t try to either. But when you’re in the process, some questions are almost always going to come up, understandably so. You need to be well-informed when it comes to all of this. So, here are some questions that you should absolutely consider when meeting with a solicitor after a car accident. 

What Documentation and Evidence Should I Gather?

So, when it comes to solicitors, they’re going to help walk you through what you need to gather. They’re usually going off the assumption that this is your first wreck and that you’re not at fault. While yes, the insurance company is going to help you out with all of this, the same can be said for your solicitor too, as they want to help you get right down to the nitty-gritty to help prove your case. 

So, be sure to ask for guidance on the types of documentation and evidence you should collect, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photographs of the accident scene and your injuries. They often will go above and beyond to help you gather as much as possible; sometimes, this even means footage such as CCTV.

How Do You Plan to Communicate with the Insurance Companies?

It’s not just with yours, but with the insurance company of the person that hit you, too. Insurance companies often engage in negotiations to settle claims. Your solicitor is going to play a vital role in these negotiations. So you’ll just need to ask how they plan to communicate and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. More specifically, you’re going to want to ask how often, as some insurance companies will intentionally not be all that communicative. It’s more or less to get an idea of how persistent they are when it comes to getting answers. 

What’s the Payment Fees and Structure?

Solicitors aren’t exactly the cheapest, but they’re definitely needed. Inquire about the solicitor’s fee structure, whether it’s hourly rates, contingency fees, or a combination of both. Ensure you have a clear understanding of how fees are calculated and when they will be due. Seriously, the last thing you’re going to want to deal with is having a surprise bill that you didn’t expect. It might be best to get a contract or something going beforehand so there aren’t any surprise fees.