What To Consider When Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident, it can be in your best interest to hire a car accident attorney. A competent and reliable personal injury lawyer will help you recover losses following a vehicular accident and minimize the amount of paperwork and hassle that comes with car accident insurance claims.

Here are essential things to consider when hiring a car accident lawyer:

1. Reputation

Choosing an attorney is not a decision to be made lightly. It’s always best to hire a reputable and reliable lawyer to represent you while you recover from the injuries sustained from the accident.

Ask family members and friends for recommendations, and make a short list of candidates. A lawyer with a solid reputation in their chosen field will have a long list of trial experience, cases, and large settlements won. Choose one with a proven track record and expertise in handling such cases.

2. Exclusive Practice Experience

A car accident or personal injury case can be complicated, and attorneys who handle trusts, divorces, and taxes can sometimes be incapable of handling such a case. That’s why it’s essential to look for a lawyer that is exclusively practicing personal injury law.

Competent car accident attorneys will have more than enough experience in dealing with insurance companies and court trials. Don’t risk losing substantial monetary damages, and hire one that exclusively works on personal injury cases. Here are some questions to ask regarding your attorney’s professional experience:

• How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
• Do you work with other legal practices as well?
• How many car accident cases do you work with each year?
• Have you handled similar cases to mine?
• How much was your largest settlement?

3. Fees

Filing a lawsuit usually requires a lot of time and can be expensive for some clients. That’s why most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. This means that you’ll only be paying the attorney if the lawsuit is favorably or successfully settled in court with a calculated percentage of your net recovery.

Make sure that you ask about the terms of the agreement that you’re unfamiliar with and understand the legal fees of your attorney to avoid unnecessary surprises when the case is settled. Here are some essential questions to ask regarding payment:

• Will you be charging a contingency fee or an hourly rate?
• Are there other legal expenses that I have to pay?
• How much will you charge for legal services?

4. Personality and Communication

As with any other profession, it’s essential to consider your attorney’s personality and how comfortable you are when working with or discussing your case with them. If your lawyer doesn’t return text messages and phone calls on a regular basis or appears to be too busy, then he or she might not have the time and devotion needed to win a settlement or trial.

It can be reasonable to miss a call or not return a message now and then, but a lawyer who ignores you for a day or two without any valid reason is definitely a red flag. If you’re not able to reach your attorney when important matters arise, they should be able to assign associates to handle urgent situations.

5. Strategy

When handling a personal injury case, your attorney must come up with a well-thought-out strategy to deal with your situation. These strategies can be the difference between a justly resolved case and financial losses. Consider an attorney who can explain to you what will be their strategy, and choose the one who keeps your best interests in mind and not someone who’s only after your money.

6. Representation

If you’ve hired a particular lawyer and end up being represented by another one, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, as some lawyers tend to practice outsourcing. However, it would still be better if you’re represented by the one you first agreed to. You should ensure that the outsourced lawyer is also an expert in personal injury cases, and that you’re also comfortable working with them in your case.

Closing Thoughts

Avoid the unnecessary stress and heartache caused by car accidents and personal injury cases by hiring a reliable and resilient lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. If you’re having a hard time deciding who to hire, consider this article as a guide to help you choose the right lawyer. Always remember that having the right lawyer by your side is the best way to ensure a favorable judgment.