Have you recently been involved in a car accident? Are you now searching for a good motor vehicle accident lawyer (like those at Shaevitz Shaevitz & Kotzamanisso) that you are able to get the compensation you deserve? Choosing the correct attorney can mean the difference between full compensation, so that you can buy a completely new car, and partial compensation, so that you're only able to afford a used car. Before hiring anyone, here are some questions you should ask:

What is the pay rate? Many motor vehicle accident lawyers will only charge a fee if they win your case. Although it is often a third of your settlement, this isn't always true. If you are expecting a hefty settlement and you can afford it, you may want to hire an attorney that charges by the hour. While you will have to pay them whether or not the judge rules in your favor, paying for your lawyer hourly can wind up being a smaller percentage of you settlement in the long run. No matter which route you choose, it's important to know how much your attorney will be charging, so that you know what to expect when the case is finished. 

What is your success rate for cases like mine? Your potential lawyer should be able to give you a realistic estimate of whether or not he or she thinks that your case is winnable. While they may not be able to give you the details of every case that they've handled, they should at least be able to give you an idea of how many similar cases that they've won, lost and have settled favorably out of court. Beware of an attorney who claims to have never lost a case. They are either newly graduated or are trying to embellish their case record. No lawyer is perfect, so you shouldn't shy away from one simply because he or she has lost a few cases.

How long do you think this case will take? Many people underestimate how long it will take to receive a settlement. Depending on the strength of your case, it could be quickly settled out of court or it could drag on for several months. A good motor vehicle accident lawyer will be able to give you a rough estimate, based on previous cases that he or she has handled. However, since every case is different, you shouldn't hold your lawyer to this estimate. It's only to give you an idea on things like whether you should start shopping around for a new vehicle or if you should instead wait for the case to finish.