Questions to Ask an Austin Car Accident Lawyer

Choosing the right attorney after an Austin car accident is one of the most important decisions you will make during the claims process. The attorney you hire will directly influence the outcome of your case, the amount of compensation you recover, and the overall experience of navigating the legal system. At McFarlane Law, we encourage prospective clients to ask tough questions during their consultation — it is the best way to evaluate whether a firm is the right fit for your case. Here are the most important questions to ask.

Ready to ask us these questions? Call (512) 222-4900 for a free consultation.

How Much Experience Do You Have with Car Accident Cases?

Not all personal injury attorneys are equal. Some focus primarily on car accidents and have handled hundreds or thousands of cases. Others practice in multiple areas and may have limited experience with the specific issues in your case. Ask how many car accident cases the firm has handled, what types of injuries they have experience with, whether they have handled cases similar to yours (for example, rideshare accidents, DUI crashes, or cases involving pre-existing conditions), and what results they have achieved for clients with similar injuries. Experience matters because an attorney who has seen your type of case before knows the common pitfalls, the insurance company tactics to expect, and the strategies that produce the best outcomes.

Will You Personally Handle My Case?

At some law firms, the attorney you meet during the consultation is not the person who actually works on your case. Your file may be passed to a junior associate, a paralegal, or even a case manager with no legal training. Ask who will be your primary point of contact, who will handle negotiations with the insurance company, who will make strategic decisions about your case, and whether the senior attorney will be involved in settlement discussions and trial preparation. At McFarlane Law, our experienced attorneys are directly involved in every case — you will not be handed off to a junior team member.

Have You Tried Cases in Court?

This may be the most important question you ask. Many personal injury firms — sometimes called “settlement mills” — never take cases to trial. They accept whatever the insurance company offers because they lack the skills, resources, or willingness to litigate. Insurance companies know which firms try cases and which do not, and they adjust their offers accordingly. A firm that always settles gets lower offers because the insurance company knows there is no real threat of trial. Ask how many cases the attorney has taken to trial, what their trial results have been, and whether they are prepared to try your case if the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly. Going to court is not always necessary, but having an attorney who will go to court is essential to getting the best possible settlement.

How Do You Charge for Your Services?

Virtually all personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the attorney takes a percentage of the recovery. However, the specific terms can vary. Ask what the contingency fee percentage is, whether the percentage changes if the case goes to trial, who pays for case expenses (investigation, experts, court costs) and whether those are deducted from your recovery, whether you owe anything if the case is not successful, and how the fee is calculated — is it taken before or after case expenses are deducted. Understanding the fee structure upfront ensures there are no surprises when your case resolves.

What Is My Case Worth?

Be cautious of any attorney who gives you a specific dollar amount during the initial consultation. At the early stages, before medical treatment is complete and a full investigation has been conducted, no one can accurately predict the exact value of your case. A good attorney will explain the categories of damages you may be entitled to (medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.), identify factors that will influence the value (injury severity, liability clarity, insurance coverage limits), give you a general range based on experience with similar cases, and explain that a more accurate valuation will be possible as your treatment progresses. An attorney who promises a specific dollar amount before knowing the facts is either inexperienced or telling you what you want to hear.

How Will You Communicate with Me?

Communication is one of the biggest sources of frustration in attorney-client relationships. Ask how often you will receive updates on your case, what is the preferred method of communication (phone, email, text, portal), how quickly the firm responds to client inquiries, who you should contact if you have questions, and whether you will receive copies of all correspondence related to your case. At McFarlane Law, we prioritize client communication and ensure our clients always know the status of their case and what to expect next.

What Is Your Strategy for My Case?

A good attorney should be able to outline a preliminary strategy during the consultation. Ask what the immediate next steps will be if you hire them, how they plan to investigate the accident, what evidence they will seek to preserve, how they will document your injuries and damages, what the expected timeline is for your type of case, and whether they anticipate needing to file a lawsuit or if the case can likely resolve through negotiation. The attorney’s answers will give you insight into their thoroughness, preparedness, and understanding of cases like yours.

Can You Provide References or Testimonials?

Reputable firms are happy to share client testimonials, online reviews, case results, and professional references. Check the firm’s Google reviews, Avvo ratings, and any case results published on their website. Ask about outcomes in cases similar to yours. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, a strong track record demonstrates the firm’s capability and commitment to client success.

Ask McFarlane Law These Questions

We welcome every one of these questions — and any others you have. At McFarlane Law, we are confident in our experience, our trial record, our communication, and our results. We want you to feel completely comfortable with your choice of attorney before moving forward. Call (512) 222-4900 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and ask us anything.