Top Cottondale, AL Car Accident Lawyers Near You

Are You the Victim of a Car Accident?

If you have been in a car accident, whether you are injured or not, and whether you were at fault or not, it is in your best interest to be represented by a Cottondale lawyer specializing in car accident law. Now is not the time to handle things on your own.

Car Accident Legal Issues

You may have heard that the driver who runs into the back of another vehicle is at fault. That is not always true. For example, if the car in front abruptly stops and you do not have time to stop, you may not be at fault unless you were following too closely or speeding.

In a serious collision that involves injury or death, determining what happened is crucial in order to win your case in civil court. If you think you were not hurt, think again. Injury to the neck and back, commonly known as whiplash, may not be immediately noticeable. It could be days or even months before you feel pain. It is best to keep a diary regularly detailing how you feel to help prove your injury.

Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney

• How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
• How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
• What is the likely outcome for my case?

In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.

How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation

Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.

Does firm size matter?

For most consumer legal issues, the size of the practice is much less important than the experience, competence, and reputation of the attorney(s) handling your case. Among the most important factors when choosing an attorney are your comfort level with the attorney or practice and the attorney’s track record in bringing about quick, successful resolutions to cases similar to yours.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.