10 Questions to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer in New Orleans, LA [Updated]

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, there are several important steps to protect your personal and financial future. One of those is working with an attorney to obtain the most compensation possible in your insurance claim. However, not all attorneys provide the same level of legal representation. You need to know what questions to ask a car accident lawyer in New Orleans, LA, to ensure that you work with a dedicated attorney who will fight for you.

What to Ask Your New Orleans Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are an unfortunately common occurrence. In Louisiana, there were 706 fatal car accidents and 37,390 suspected injury vehicle accidents in 2024. Fifty-eight of these fatal collisions occurred in New Orleans that year, as well as 4,850 suspected injury crashes. Understanding local crash patterns in New Orleans helps set expectations about where and how severe collisions tend to happen.

When you schedule a consultation with a skilled car accident lawyer, you may want to ask some of the following questions:

1. Who Will Manage My Car Accident Case?

In some personal injury firms, multiple attorneys may handle your case, or hand off certain cases to a paralegal or less-experienced attorney after a consultation. It is crucial that you know who will be handling your case. If you are selecting an attorney based on their experience and abilities, you want to ensure that the attorney will be the sole or primary person managing your case. Knowing who else may handle your case also allows you to look into their qualifications.

2. Do I Have a Strong Case?

Just because you were involved in a car accident does not always mean you have the basis for a claim against another driver, and some cases are stronger than others. It is important to discuss how likely it is that you will recover financial compensation and if the attorney is likely to uncover important evidence to support your claim. A clear view of how negligence is established in Louisiana will also help you understand which facts matter most.

You need to be honest and upfront with a potential attorney about the specifics of your accident so they can more accurately assess your case’s strength.

3. What Compensation Could I Recover?

An attorney can assess the possible compensation based on the severity of your injuries and other compensatory damages. While the attorney cannot guarantee this payout, they can help you understand the compensation you could be owed and how to secure as much of those damages as possible. It’s useful to know the typical categories of damages you can recover so nothing is overlooked.

4. What Are the Potential Challenges in My Case?

Complexities in car accident cases can affect the outcome and the amount of time the case takes to resolve. Common challenges may include the at-fault party’s insurer blaming you for the accident or undermining how serious your injuries are. Other challenges include disputed liability, comparative fault, assessing the long-term consequences of complex injuries, and more. Knowing the basics of Louisiana car accident laws can make these issues easier to navigate.

5. How Much Experience Do You Have in Car Accident Cases?

You want to ensure the attorney you work with knows how to manage car accident cases in your state and parish. An attorney with the right experience can more easily navigate matters such as investigating the car accident and using the right professional resources.

You should also ask the attorney if they have worked on cases similar to yours before. Experience in vehicle collisions is important, but every case has unique challenges and opportunities. If an attorney has managed cases involving the type of collision, type of injuries, or other specifics in your case, this can be very beneficial.

6. How Do You Communicate With Clients?

Communication and updates are an important part of a car accident claim, especially if you have limited mobility because of your injuries. The outcome of a car accident claim can significantly impact your financial and emotional recovery, so it is essential that your attorney is available and also keeps you informed about the case as things change. Determine the communicativeness of the firm and the methods of that communication.

7. What Are Your Fees and What Costs Can I Anticipate?

It’s important you understand what a car accident attorney charges as a contingency fee, what other fees they may charge, and what court and filing costs you are responsible for.

FAQs

What Are the Key Questions to Ask in Car Accident Investigations?

There are several key questions to ask in car accident investigations in New Orleans, which your attorney can help you with. You may need to ask eyewitnesses for information such as where they were and whether they had a clear view of the accident. You could also ask businesses nearby if they have CCTV of the accident location. Generally, the investigation will be handled by the on-site officer, insurance companies involved in the collision, and attorneys representing injured individuals.

What Is the Ideal Question to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer?

There are many questions you should ask a car accident lawyer, but one important question is whether you have a viable case. If you are involved in a car accident, multiple parties could be fully or partially liable for the accident, including you. Under Louisiana’s changing competitive fault rules, this may mean you don’t have the grounds to recover compensation. An attorney can review the specifics of your case to determine if you have a viable case for compensation.

How Do You Get the Most Money Out of a Car Accident Settlement?

You can get the most money out of a car accident settlement by working with an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney can investigate the accident, calculate your damages, determine who was liable, and negotiate the claim. All of this support increases your chances of securing a maximum settlement. An attorney can also advise you on whether you should take your case to trial to help you recover more compensation.

What Is a Good Settlement for a Car Accident?

What a good settlement for a car accident is will rely on several specifics of your case, including how seriously you were injured. A good settlement will cover all your financial and personal losses, like the cost of your injury, the long-term damages your injury will do to your employment, and other factors. An attorney can help you accurately assess these losses to determine a fair settlement.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If you are involved in a car accident, it is crucial to call 911. After you are able to leave the scene, go to a hospital. Nearby hospitals include Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans, located on 1514 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson, and LCMC Health, located on 1100 Poydras Street. Then, you need to hire a car accident lawyer. Contact Murphy Law Firm to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help.

About The Author

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy, is the founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in personal injury law. Peyton obtained his law degree from the prestigious Tulane School of Law in 1991 and has been licensed to practice law in Louisiana since 1993. With over 28 years of experience, Peyton is dedicated to representing injured victims and actively contributing to his community. Education: Obtained his law degree from Tulane School of Law in 1991. Professional Associations: Member of the Louisiana State Bar and active in the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana Association for Justice. Experience: Founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, with extensive experience in personal injury law and licensed in multiple federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

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