Bicycle Accidents: 6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

When choosing a bicycle accident lawyer, you want to make sure you’ve got the right one on your side. The right attorney can help you get the justice you deserve. 

However, when looking for a lawyer in New York, you’ll likely encounter a few Bronx bicycle accident lawyers in your search. So, how do you make the right choice? You can ask some questions to ensure a lawyer has the necessary qualifications.

Below are six key questions to ask before hiring a bicycle accident attorney. 

1. What Experience Do You Have Handling Bicycle Accident Cases?

Hiring just any lawyer for your case isn’t enough. You want to ensure you’re hiring an attorney with experience handling similar cases. Hence the need to ask about a lawyer’s experience handling bicycle accident cases.

Experienced bicycle accident lawyers are well-versed in bicycle accident laws. They also understand the complexities encountered in bicycle accident cases. That experience helps them prepare for any potential surprises. It also allows an attorney to plan for a successful outcome. 

2. What Is Your Success Rate?

In addition to experience, you want a lawyer who wins bicycle accident cases. So, ask about a bicycle accident attorney’s success rate.

A reputable lawyer will be willing to provide a clear answer. They may even explain what a win entails in cases like yours. A lawyer should also be direct about the cases they’ve lost. 

Remember that a history of success doesn’t mean your case will be successful. A lawyer can work diligently to help you get justice. However, they can’t guarantee success. 

3. What Are Your Fees for Handling a Bicycle Accident Case?

You should clearly understand how the lawyer will charge you for their services. Most times, bicycle accident lawyers charge a contingency fee.

Under a contingency fee structure, the lawyer is only paid if they win or settle the case. The fee is a percentage of the total settlement or judgment amount.

Ask about the percentage of your compensation that will go to the lawyer. A reputable lawyer will be upfront about their fees. 

4. Who Will Handle My Bicycle Accident Case?

Some firms, especially well-established ones, have many lawyers. You want to know which one will deal with your bicycle accident case.

When interviewing a lawyer, ask if the person you’re talking to will be the one representing you. Some law firms may have the most well-known attorney speak to clients. However, someone else will be the one to handle your case, and they may not have sufficient experience. 

5. How Do You Plan on Investigating the Accident?

Plaintiffs must prove liability in a bicycle accident case to recover compensation. A lawyer can investigate your case and collect evidence to help prove liability. During investigations, your attorney may hire experts to help back up your claim.

Experts include medical professionals and accident reconstructionists. As you can imagine, investigations can be expensive. So, you want to ensure that a lawyer has the necessary resources to carry out investigations. 

Ask an attorney how they plan to investigate your accident to find that out. Their answer will tell you if they’re well-equipped to handle your case. 

6. How Will You Keep Me Informed Throughout the Case?

Ensure you know how a lawyer plans to communicate throughout the case. Get to know if they will be available to answer questions. Also, ask how often the lawyer will provide updates. Thus, you’ll know if the lawyer’s communication style matches your needs and expectations.

You should also ask what methods a lawyer prefers to use to communicate with clients. Do they prefer email, phone calls, or text messages? This can help ensure you are comfortable with the lawyer’s communication method.

Final Words 

Don’t let the process of hiring a bicycle accident lawyer intimidate you. Take the time to ask the right questions and find the best attorney for you. With the right attorney, your case will be in capable hands.