You suffered severe injuries and a financial blow after an unfortunate car accident in Houston. If the other driver was at fault, you could file a third-party claim with their insurer, as Texas is a fault state. Regardless of your circumstances, winning a settlement could be harder than you think. Insurance companies often try their best to downplay losses suffered by victims to minimize the settlements. It is wise to have a Houston car accident attorney by your side so that you don’t have to deal with everything on your own, especially when you don’t have the necessary expertise and need time to recover. Before you hire a lawyer, here are some top questions you must ask. 

  1. How often do you deal with auto accident claims and lawsuits? Personal injury law encompasses various types of accidents, including medical malpractice and slip & fall accidents. If you are hiring a lawyer for the first time, ensure that they are well-versed with the complications of car accident cases and deal with such claims regularly in their practice. 
  2. Have you represented clients at trial? Sometimes, insurance companies refuse to pay for some claims, or the settlement could be way lesser than what you deserve. The statute of limitations in Texas gives you two years to file an injury lawsuit after an accident. In some cases, a trial is necessary. When you engage an attorney, ensure that they have represented clients in court in the past. 
  3. How much do I need to pay you? Personal injury lawyers in Texas typically charge a contingency fee for car accident cases. The lawyer gets a part of the settlement (usually 25-40%) as their fee, and if they have paid other expenses on your behalf, those will be settled accordingly. No matter the situation, you should read a fine print of the costs in advance. 
  4. What can I expect in a settlement? After considering all aspects, your lawyer will give you an overview of the expected settlement. If you shared a part of the fault, your settlement would reduce proportionately. You cannot expect anything if your share of fault is more than the other driver. Your lawyer will ensure that you have realistic expectations from the case. 

Finally, ask the attorney for a few client references. If a personal injury lawyer has been around for years, they will offer all the details you need, including their top cases and settlements.