You don’t want to call just any lawyer in the aftermath of a car crash – you need a car accident lawyer. The right choice can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your damages.
By hiring a car accident lawyer, you can reduce your stress and focus on your recovery. There are a wide variety of choices available, and you can find the best car accident lawyer if you start searching now.
Shutterstock: Me-and-IdeaAccidents Are Their Expertise
While any personal injury lawyer can represent you in a car accident case, there are many benefits to hiring a car accident lawyer. Their expertise in traffic laws and regulations can be essential when it comes to determining liability in an accident.
Car accident lawyers have the investigative skills to piece together how an accident occurred and who is at fault. Plus, they have specialized resources, like witness interviews and accident reconstruction experts, to help them figure it out. So, how can you make sure you find the best one for your particular case?
Ask Direct Questions
Not only are car accident lawyers equipped to reconstruct accidents, but they have lots of experience negotiating with insurance companies. Naturally, you’ll want a lawyer who is well-versed in the tactics that these companies use to minimize payouts.
Ask your candidates direct questions about their success rate at negotiating fair compensation in past cases. Successful car accident lawyers will be happy to tell you about cases in which they maximized compensation by gathering medical records, police reports, and witness statements.
Medical Issues
Speaking of medical records, car accident lawyers are skilled at taking into account how injuries can impact your daily life. They can help you calculate your damages based on the long-term effect of your injuries.
Calculating pain and suffering damages in a car accident case is a complex process. A car accident lawyer will consider the severity of injuries, the duration of recovery, and pre-existing conditions in order to determine these damages. Plus, they’ll evaluate any emotional distress from the accident, which could result in anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Make sure your prospective lawyer appreciates the full extent of how this accident has impacted your daily life before you hire anyone to represent you.
Find Out Their Fees
Attorneys aren’t exactly cheap, so you’ll want to find a car accident lawyer who works on contingency. Many car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win your case. On average, lawyers take about 33 percent of the final award amount. 1
Make sure you read a lawyer’s agreement carefully. You may be responsible for a range of costs, including expert witness fees and filing fees. In the end, absorbing those fees may be worth it if your attorney can deliver.
Courtroom Experience
Another good question to ask your legal candidate is how much courtroom experience they’ve had. If negotiations with the insurance company break down, car accident lawyers can file a lawsuit to get the compensation you deserve. They will represent you in court and argue your case to a judge or jury.
A car accident lawyer’s expertise can really shine in the courtroom, presenting evidence and arguing your case to ensure the best possible outcome. That is, if they have experience in front of a judge or jury!
Meet At Their Office
Meeting a prospective lawyer in their office is a great way to assess whether or not they have the resources to represent you. An organized office that is well-staffed creates an impression that the attorney is running a business – and not a lone wolf.
Seeing a car accident lawyer in their natural environment can reveal other characteristics about their practice. Are books and files piled all over the desk? Are colleagues frazzled or confident? It’s also helpful to see how your candidate speaks to their staff.
Assess Their Personality
For that matter, it’s important to pay attention to how a prospective lawyer interacts with you! Your case could take between several months to well over a year before reaching a settlement, which means you’ll be spending a lot of time with this person. 2
Do they listen to you and show a genuine interest in your perspective? Are they personally invested in your case and winning a settlement for your troubles? Make sure you aren’t just another case file to this lawyer.
Assess Their Reputation
If you’re still on the fence about whether a car accident lawyer is right for you, you can search for the lawyer’s name online to find reviews and ratings from past clients. Sites such as Google, Avvo, and Yelp can reveal what other clients have to say about their experience working with the lawyer.
Personal referrals are always best, so ask your family and friends if they’ve had any positive legal experiences. 3 Alternatively, you can check with your state’s bar association to see if the lawyer has any disciplinary actions or complaints against them. 4 This can give you an idea of the lawyer’s ethical standards and professionalism.
Reduce Your Stress
Overall, a car accident lawyer can ensure that you are not taken advantage of by insurance companies or other parties. They can also help you understand your legal options and advise you on the best course of action.
By using these tips, you can research your options and find the right representative to handle your case. By hiring a car accident lawyer, you can reduce your stress and focus on your recovery – because your health should come first!
