Most people have never seen a car accident in their lives. Because of that, they think accidents are rare and will never happen to them. However, more than six million car accidents happen every year in the United States.
Many accident cases are open and shut and don’t require help. However, if you aren’t getting the help you need from your insurance company, it’s smart to bring in an expert car accident attorney to help.
Of course, knowing how to find the best car accident lawyer is critical if you want to file a successful claim. Read the seven tips below to learn how to find a car accident attorney who can handle the job.
1. Choose Someone With the Right Experience
Choosing a lawyer that specializes in personal injury is a must. There are many types of law out there, and the chances are good that a lawyer won’t specialize in everything.
Limit your search to personal injury attorneys. You can search with those parameters to get a list of people specializing in personal injury law.
If you want to go a step further, limit your selection to attorneys who have a lot of experience in the type of car accident you experienced. If someone has a history of success in cases like yours, they likely know what to do to get results. This will increase your chance of filing a successful claim.
2. Look for the Right Fees
One big concern people have when hiring lawyers is the fees. They think of the hefty hourly fees they hear about in passing and watching lawyer shows on TV. However, large hourly fees aren’t the only way lawyers make their money.
Many law firms rely on contingency payments to help people that don’t have enough cash to cover a sizable hourly fee. Instead, they take a percentage of the settlement amount someone gets when they win their case.
In most cases, the fee is negligible since you’ll get more money in your settlement than you would without a lawyer. This is a great way to go when looking at your lawyer fees for most people.
3. Find a Great Communicator
If you’re relying on an attorney to help with an auto accident case, the chances are good that you don’t want to handle much yourself. You’re relying on an expert to do the job, so you need them to handle their work and let you know what’s going on.
Unfortunately, not all attorneys are great communicators. They may be able to handle the job, but you’ll be in the dark about what’s going on. If you’re trying to recover from injuries, that’s stress you can’t afford to have.
Before you hire an attorney, ask them how often they communicate updates. Consider what timeframes work best for you and find someone that can meet your needs.
4. Get a Service Contract
While the standard fees and services for a lawyer may be known, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get everything in writing. Lawyers provide service contracts that detail their costs and the services included in the work.
If someone doesn’t sign you as a client without a contract, you need to look for another lawyer. You don’t want to be in a situation where an attorney doesn’t do the job you expected and don’t have a contract that details the work someone is supposed to handle.
5. Bring All Your Documentation
For an auto accident attorney to do their job well, you have to give them the information they need to do so. If someone takes you on as a client without learning everything they can about your case, you may need to look at other options.
Your lawyer should tell you the chances you have of winning your case and what they believe they can do for you. If they try to sign you as a client without knowing the details of your case, how can you trust your lawyer when they start promising the world?
Bring as much documentation as you can during your initial visit, so your lawyer has the whole picture.
6. Check for Disciplinary Problems
While lawyers know the law, they don’t always follow it to the letter. Some attorneys aren’t as trustworthy as others and will cut corners. If they get caught, they get a disciplinary mark on their record.
You can check your state’s bar association website to look for those marks. Not all disciplinary marks may be a big deal. However, if you see a pattern of breaking the rules, it’s worth looking at other lawyer options.
7. Look for Testimonials
Client testimonials are one of the most important things to look for when searching for an auto accident attorney. A lawyer won’t tell you about their faults when you speak with them. You need to check with past clients to learn more about how an attorney works.
A quick way to get feedback about a lawyer is to search for them on Google. The local search results provide a map of the lawyers in your area and a way for people to leave reviews. Check those reviews for red flags about lawyers.
You can also ask a lawyer for references when you speak with them. Talking directly with previous customers is a way to gain insight into how an attorney works. This information will help you learn when to look at the attorney options.
Start Your Search for a Car Accident Lawyer Today
You can’t afford to work with a lousy lawyer when trying to resolve a car accident claim. You need your settlement to ensure you get your car repaired and get compensation for the medical treatment you need to recover from injuries. Keep the tips above in mind when looking for a car accident lawyer to find someone that can get you the settlement you deserve.
Are you interested in reading more tips that will help you in different life situations? Read the latest articles on the blog for more helpful advice.
