Did you know that 3,700 people worldwide lose their lives every day due to car accidents?
If you’re fortunate enough to have survived a devastating car accident, you may be dealing with the fallout. Aside from the emotional pain, a car accident means financial pain as you struggle to get back to work and pay medical bills.
Seeking the compensation you deserve is a necessary step to getting back to normal. And you’ll need the best legal help to make it happen. Keep reading to learn how to hire the best auto accident lawyer near you!
Look at the Lawyer’s Experience
If you’re injured in a car accident, you want the most qualified and experienced lawyer representing you. You don’t want someone who’s freshly minted with a JD. While you may not need to pay as much for a new lawyer, you’ll get what you paid for.
In other words, an inexperienced lawyer may not have connections or procedures in place to streamline the process. They could be fumbling to piece together an insurance claim and cost you more time. They may make mistakes that slow your timeline and give the other side an edge.
You’ll gain access to expertise with a more seasoned lawyer. An experienced lawyer will be familiar with laws related to auto accidents in your area. They’ll be current on any changes and know how to maneuver the system effectively to get you the most money.
Aim to choose a lawyer with several years of experience, as well as some accolades in the field.
Look for evidence that they’re part of a regional or national legal society and active in the field. And see if they’re involved in community organizations, which can show that they’re established and committed to doing good.
Ask About Past Car Accident Settlement Outcomes
You will want to see evidence of fair car accident compensation on a lawyer’s resume. Ideally, they have fought for and achieved solid compensation for a number of past clients. A lawyer eager to earn your business should be able to show some evidence of this.
As a potential client, you want a lawyer who can get you the most money.
Even if you think your auto accident injuries are minor, they can balloon into chronic injuries that require ongoing care. Burns, back injuries, and neck problems like whiplash can linger and require physical therapy.
As a result, you may need medical care for months or even years following an accident. That’s why it’s so critical to find a lawyer with a track record of success in securing big compensation.
Even so, a positive track record might not be as impressive as you think.
Some lawyers who work on a contingency basis are more selective with the cases they accept. Since they want to invest time in cases that are likely to yield compensation, they will choose the most promising cases.
This can skew the success rate and make a lawyer look better than they are. You’ll need to evaluate other factors, including the firm where the lawyer works. If it has a positive reputation, that can speak well of the individual lawyers within it.
Learn About the Fee Structure
Many personal injury lawyers work on contingency. Essentially, this means that you won’t owe them any money unless you receive money for your case. When you’re trying to avoid blowing your budget on legal fees, contingency can be an appealing choice.
You won’t need to worry that the lawyer is moving slowly just to pull more money from you.
Instead, you can trust that the lawyer will work at quickened pace to try to be as efficient as possible. It’s in their best interest to piece together a winning claim and negotiate with the other side.
Not every lawyer works on a contingency basis, however.
Some lawyers may charge hourly fees for their services. Others may charge a flat fee for a particular type of case.
It can pay to shop around and find a lawyer whose fee structure seems to be the fairest. And, of course, make sure the fee structure is one you can afford. Since a lawyer wants to feel confident they’ll receive their pay, they should be upfront about how much their services will cost.
Don’t overlook other hidden fees that you may need to pay, as well. For instance, you’ll need to compensate expert witnesses for their time and knowledge. You’ll also need to finance any diagrams or visuals they need to make a compelling point.
Transcriptions and filing fees also can add up, as well. It’s worth knowing just how much they’ll add up.
After all, you don’t want all of the fees to overpower whatever compensation you receive.
Remember that your lawyer will collect money from your compensation amount. Ask your lawyer what kind of cut they’ll take from your case if it wins. Most lawyers will take about one-third of your compensation.
So, you’ll want to do the math and determine if you can come out ahead assuming your case wins.
Check Online Reviews
It never hurts to look up a potential lawyer online before hiring them. You can visit the lawyer’s website to find testimonials. But be aware that these have been curated so you only will see the best reviews.
For a more unbiased take on a lawyer, turn to search engines. You’ll be able to see a lawyer’s Google business profile, for instance, and read detailed reviews. A lawyer with lots of complaints might be one to steer clear of.
Similarly, a lawyer without many reviews to their name may lack star power. They also might be desperate for business and say anything to secure you as a client. You’re better off finding an established lawyer with mostly positive reviews.
For any kind of reviews, check to see if a lawyer or firm has responded.
Taking the time to offer an explanation or thank the reviewer shows a level of professionalism that speaks well of the firm. Ignoring negative comments could be an indication that the lawyer doesn’t care about feedback.
You can ask for referrals, too. Any business should be willing to give you the names of satisfied clients.
Take advantage of the ability to hear from any past clients.
Ask about the lawyer’s communication skills and promptness. And ask if the client felt like the compensation was fair given the nature of their case. Finally, ask how accessible the lawyer was throughout the experience of filing the claim.
You also can reach out to people you know who’ve sought the help of a lawyer.
They may have a lawyer to recommend, and you can trust that a friend or acquaintance will be honest.
Meet with a Potential Lawyer First
Don’t hire a lawyer based only on what you see on their website or other online sources. Take the time to schedule a consultation, which may be free. This serves as an opportunity to meet the lawyer and get a better sense of how well you connect.
You want to see that the lawyer has listened to you explain your situation.
They should be able to capture the details of the accident and walk you through the likely next steps. A good lawyer, like those at Alpha Accident Lawyers, will show you how to navigate the legal system on your behalf.
A potential lawyer should be honest with you about your prospects, too.
You might have a clear-cut case where the damage to your car and body was the fault of a distracted driver. In these instances, the lawyer may be able to give you a ballpark settlement amount given their experience with similar cases.
If your case seems weak, a lawyer should tell you that, too. They may decide not to take you on as a client as a result. But if they do while expressing concern about your case’s viability, it’s fair to ask them to elaborate.
It’s also fair to ask how many cases end up going to court. A settlement offers a faster route to getting compensation while going to court comes with some risks. You may not want to go with a lawyer who takes the riskier and more time-consuming path.
Think about your comfort level during a consultation, and use your reaction to guide your decisions. If you felt rushed, for instance, that could be indicative of how the lawyer will treat you down the road.
Choose a lawyer who will take the time to include you in the process.
Determine Who Will Be Handling Your Case
Even if you have a positive experience at an in-person meeting with a lawyer, don’t assume that’s the person you’ll be working with. In some firms, your case may fall into the hands of a lawyer with the most availability. And this might not be the person you want.
Be clear on who will be taking the lead on your case. And get it in writing. If a lawyer or firm is vague about who will be working with you, turn your attention elsewhere. Some firms may be overcommitted and unable to assign you to one lawyer.
If a firm is juggling too many cases, you can’t trust that they’ll give your case the time it deserves.
Having a rotating carousel of lawyers can lead to missed details and cracks in communication. You may have a tougher time getting ahold of someone, too, when you have questions about the case. It’s better to have one person fully committed to your case.
Evaluate Their Communication Skills
Finally, weigh the communication skills of any prospective lawyers you meet. You want to feel comfortable and respected rather than belittled. A good lawyer will be patient with your questions and educate you about the process.
They should be able to articulate a plan that will result in submitting your claim in a timely manner. They may ask you to gather medical records, for instance, while they reach out to potential witnesses. You want to see evidence of confidence when your lawyer is explaining the next steps.
Don’t let a lawyer try to dazzle you with legal jargon. They should recognize that you’re not in their field and will need explanations that are clear and concise. If you don’t understand what they’re saying, it’s okay to ask them to rephrase it!
Ask what communication going forward will look like, as well. Some lawyers prefer to communicate via email, while others might want to reach for phone. Make sure you choose a lawyer whose approach to communication aligns with your preferences.
On top of that, make sure you understand if additional communication will incur fees. Some lawyers may limit how often they are willing to talk with you. Anything beyond that limit could be billed and added to your costs.
A lawyer who fails to respond to your queries and phone messages quickly is one to avoid. When your financial situation is at stake, it’s important to focus on clear and diligent communication.
Hire the Best Auto Accident Lawyer
A reputable auto accident lawyer will work hard to earn your business and demonstrate success in securing compensation. They’ll be excellent communicators with in-depth knowledge of the legal system in your area.
And they’ll be transparent about the fees as well as your potential to have a successful case.