Getting into a car accident could be super stressful. Dealing with injuries, drama, paperwork, and legalities all at the same time? Nightmare! Picking the right car accident lawyer to advocate for you is crucial to ensuring you get what is fair and right and keeping you protected.
Not every attorney is as good as the next. Picking the wrong lawyer could really hurt your case! These retainer agreements are really big and serious, and you shouldn’t sign them until you really research your attorney enough to be sure you are making the best decision for your case.
Experience and Specialization in Car Accident Cases
Morris injury firm says, for legal representation, with the law, there is always the chance of being general. What you really need is a lawyer who is a specialist in car accident cases and personal injury law.
That means they know a ton more about the case and be sure to consider all the traffic legislation, insurance law, and accident reconstruction law your case depends on and is based. That’s really important!
Make sure to ask these potential lawyers how many cases similar to yours they have won. For example, how many cases involving car crashes have they won? If they have won a lot and continue taking these cases, they may know how to really handle problematic insurance companies.
In addition to that, consider how and if they have experience with the specific type of accident you have. A rear-end collision, T-bone accident, or multi-vehicle pile-up, they are all different. If they have dealt with your type of accident before, they will be able to present a much better case.
Reputation and Client Reviews
Because of the internet, modern-day research to find a lawyer has never been easier. Find some lawyer reviews online. Websites like Google, Yelp, and lawyer-specific sites such as Avvo or Martindale. Take notice of common feedback, the general pattern of reviews, rather than one single review.
Feel free to ask lawyers for some references. A lawyer with an established business confidence will not have a problem giving you some references. Ask your references if they had a good experience overall, how the communication was, if they felt the lawyer was passionate, and if they actually cared.
You can also check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed and if there are any disciplinary actions against them. This is public information and can uncover some red flags in marketing and online reviews.
Fee Structure and Payment Terms
Before actually signing on with a lawyer, it is important to understand how a lawyer gets paid. Most car accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. Usually, they will get a percentage of your settlement, and that is typically 33 to 40 percent.
Make sure you understand exactly what the percentage covers. Will you be responsible for paying court costs, expert witnesses, and investigator fees if you lose the case? Some lawyers cover these upfront costs and take them out of your settlement, while others require you to pay them directly.
Make sure to get the fee agreement in writing and read it closely, line by line, before signing it. If you have questions about anything that you do not understand, do not be embarrassed to ask. A lawyer should be comfortable answering your questions about costs and should explain their fee structure without using any pressure tactics.
Communication Style and Accessibility
Your direct communication with the lawyer while the case is ongoing is key to success. During the first meeting, consider how the attorney listens and whether he or she attempts to explain legal ideas. Is the attorney able to explain ideas clearly and concisely, or is he or she speaking in terms that are too advanced, using legal jargon that is difficult to comprehend?
What are your communication preferences, and how often can you be expected to respond? Will the attorney contact you directly, or will your main communication be through paralegals and assistants? While it is common in legal practices to assign work to different staff members, you should still be able to speak with your attorney directly.
While you consider which attorney to hire, think about how responsive they are to your questions. If the attorney is difficult to contact before you sign a contract, you will probably experience the same difficulty during the case. Your attorney should treat your case as a priority, not an afterthought.
Resources and Support Staff
The potential to be successful in a car accident case often requires additional, and sometimes substantial, material. Does the firm have the ability to hire accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other investigators to assist in building your case? These resources can assist in determining responsibility and showing to a greater degree the damages that you have suffered.
Another thing that affects how fast your case gets resolved is the size and structure of the legal support. An organized legal support system that has paralegals and case managers can advance the case much faster. Paralegals and case managers take care of administrative issues, document collection, and communication so that the lawyer can focus on the litigation strategy.
If you are concerned about this aspect, it is okay to ask about the company’s legal support structure and resources in the initial interview. An attorney who has to do all the work by himself is going to get burned out and diminish the quality of work he can do. The best attorney is going to be with a firm that can support their attorney with their case.
Trial Experience and Willingness to Go to Court
There is a chance that most car wreck cases are resolved by a settlement. However, you would want this attorney to be willing to take your case to trial if necessary. It is a fact that insurance companies tend to offer fair settlement offers to attorneys who are willing to settle. It is also a fact that attorneys who settle are more likely to have a less productive trial and therefore have very little experience in the courtroom.
So, it is smart to ask this specific question about the trial experience of lawyers you are considering hiring. In other words, you should ask how many cases they have gone to trial on instead of just settling. Also, ask what the results of the cases they tried were. Although it is true that settlement is a better option sometimes, it is inappropriate to work with a lawyer who won’t go to trial or consider going to trial in your case.
It is also critical to understand their litigation philosophy. Some lawyers are quick to settle, even if it is settled for less than what one would be awarded in trial. Other, more aggressive lawyers will go all out to pull out all the stops and fight to get all the money one is entitled to. Make sure these objectives are in line with your preferred legal strategy and what your comfort level is with the legal process.
Making Your Final Decision
Selecting the right car accident lawyer is a multi-faceted process. But apart from emotion and instincts, be sure to also consider more objective criteria like experience, reputation, and resources.
It is also imperative to consider that this individual will be your representative and advocate during a challenging time, so establishing someone you feel comfortable with and trust is the most important thing.
