Car accident lawyers are stressful. They can lead to serious injuries, a wrecked vehicle, higher car insurance premiums, psychological trauma, and even death. If you or a member of your family were injured in a motor vehicle accident, a car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need for your damages.
The trauma of a traffic accident often extends well past the incident itself. The economic impacts brought on by severe injuries and subsequent hospital bills, lost wages, and the damage done to your car can easily segue into undue financial hardship for you and those who depend on you. The last thing you need is the added stress and frustration of trying to convince an insurance company that you deserve to be financially compensated for all of your damages.
An experienced car accident lawyer can make the whole process a lot less stressful, representing you in all communication with the insurance companies and leaving you free to concentrate on your recovery so you can ultimately move forward.
If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, begin building your case today by scheduling a free consultation with a nationwide car accident lawyer at Local Accident Reports.
What Does a Car Accident Attorney Do?
Most states require all licensed drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. Unfortunately, insurance carriers will not always compensate you for every single expense you incur following a car accident, particularly when they know you don’t have legal representation. A car accident attorney specializes in personal injury law, and they can help you seek fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and even your pain and suffering after being involved in a car accident.
By seeking the representation of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you are giving yourself the best possible chance at getting the financial compensation you need to avoid financial strain. In a worst-case scenario, when an auto accident results in the death of a family member, most personal injury lawyers also handle wrongful death cases and will be able to assist you in filing file a wrongful death suit.
How to Find the Right Car Accident Lawyer for You
So, you have been involved in a traffic accident, and you need a personal injury attorney. Do not just hire the first one that shows up in your Google search results, especially if the entry has the word ‘sponsored’ in front of it. Those attorneys have paid for that spot, not earned it. You need a lawyer who has years of experience in handling car accident cases and dealing with car insurance companies. Unfortunately, just about every attorney is going to tout their “considerable experience” with car accident injuries and claims, so knowing exactly what you are looking for can narrow the field and help you find the right lawyer for you.
Look for Specific Experience
Not every lawyer specializes in one specific area of law. Some handle everything from real estate deals and wrongful death lawsuits to divorces. That’s not to say these attorneys aren’t good at their job, but in the same vein that you would not hire a corporate law attorney to help you with a child custody case, you are going to be much better off partnering with a law firm that focuses solely on personal injury law.
Keep in mind that that experience should include cases that have been litigated. You want a lawyer who is willing to fight for you in court if necessary, not one who is just going to grab the first settlement offer that comes their way. The majority of car accident cases never make it as far as the trial stage, but if yours does, that is not the time to find out that your lawyer has never argued a case in court before.
Auto insurance companies have extensive experience in settling claims filed against them by injured car accident victims, and they always try to settle car accident claims for the smallest amount possible, as quickly as they can. A skilled lawyer can calculate the full extent of your damages, and make sure that you do not accept the first lowball settlement offer made by the insurance company. They will have extensive experience dealing with major insurance companies, be familiar with their schemes, and know how to negotiate for the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Read Up on Their Case Histories
Choosing the best lawyer for you and your situation requires due diligence, meaning you need to do some research and ask questions. The first step of this process is visiting the website of the Bar Association for the state where your car accident took place. There, you will be able to look for law firms that specialize in personal injury law located in your area. Write down the name and contact details of any attorney or law firm that you would like to look into. of those you’d like to research further by writing down their contact information and visiting their website.
Once you have made your list of potential lawyers, you need to contact each one to schedule a consultation either in person or over the phone. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation, which allows them to review your case and you to address any concerns you may have. Both of you are free to ask each other questions, so it is a good idea to have a list prepared so you do not forget anything. At the end of the consultation, the lawyer can assess whether or not you have a valid claim, and you should have a good idea of whether or not they are who you want to handle your car accident case. A reputable lawyer should have no problem talking about how many car accident cases they have handled, what percentage were settled, what percentage went to trial, and what their overall win/loss ratio is.
You should look at testimonials and reviews left by former clients. However, rather than looking at the reviews on the lawyer’s website (they can control what you see and hide negative reviews), consult an independent review site when narrowing down your list of options.
Some standard information that is good to look into when choosing a potential law firm include:
- Is the law firm well-respected within the community?
- Do the attorney’s peers and colleagues speak highly of him or her?
- Does the firm have a satisfactory number of clients who were pleased with their services and have left positive reviews?
- Does the firm actively engage with its community via charities or other organizations?
Find Out What Area of Law They Specialize In
As mentioned above, law firms that specialize in motor vehicle accidents tend to have a great deal more resources to dedicate to your case than a lawyer with an independent law practice. Most personal injury law firms have at least one investigator who has considerable experience in interpreting accident scenes, reviewing police reports, and other investigative methods that are used to determine negligence and fault.
Negligent behaviors such as distracted driving, drunk driving, or other aggravating circumstances, such as defects in the roadway, could also have contributed to your accident. While these factors will strengthen your claim, they are useless if they go undiscovered due to a lack of resources.
A law firm’s lawyers might also have more collective experience in dealing with insurance companies than a solo lawyer. Finding a law firm that has already handled cases against the specific insurance company you are going up against will only help your case, but make sure the firm is not so large that you are just a case number to them and will not get the personalized attention you need.
Talk to Family and Friends
Sadly, car accidents are a daily occurrence no matter which state you live in. Odds are, you know at least one person who has, at some point, hired a car accident lawyer. If so, they might be willing to refer you to one with whom they had a good experience. Talk to them about their dealings with the firm or lawyer, what made them decide to hire them, and whether or not they would use them again if a similar situation arose.
Even if you receive a glowing recommendation for a firm, you should still research the other possibilities indicated on your list and always, always speak with a lawyer, no matter how highly recommended, before you sign with them.
Always Take the Free Consultation
A consultation can be a great tool when it comes to deciding on which car accident lawyer is best for you and your situation. These first-time consultations are typically free and confidential. They let you consult with a lawyer about the merits of your potential case, the circumstances that led to the accident, your medical records, the severity of your injuries, the fees they charge, and any other matters pertaining to your accident you wish to discuss.
A few essential things to talk about with your potential nationwide car accident lawyer that will help you determine if they are a good fit for you include:
Their Experience
Your best chance at seeing a successful resolution to your auto accident case comes from partnering with a lawyer who is familiar with the intricacies of the legal system. There are a lot of factors that can influence the quality of your legal representation, but there is no substitute for real-world experience. If a lawyer has an impressive history of case wins, it is a good indication that they are up-to-date on relevant case laws and have the skill and resources to get you the compensation to which you are entitled. The more fully they understand the nuances of your case, the more likely it is to succeed.
Always ask if the lawyer is experienced in car accident cases, how many of their cases go to trial, and if they have ever handled a car accident case similar to yours. A property damage lawsuit is different than a personal injury lawsuit, which is different than a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Their Payment Schedule Works
Every law firm charges its clients differently, so another important topic to discuss is how this particular firm charges for its services. Many personal injury law firms work on a contingency fee, which means that if they are not able to recover damages for you, you do not owe them any money. Some law firms require a retainer before they will begin work on your case, and others charge an hourly fee.
Be prepared to be billed for additional expenses as well, such as transcription fees, filing fees, jury fees, and even parking and printing fees. Although these might be relatively minor costs on their own, they can add up quickly, so make sure you get a thorough explanation of anticipated costs.
The Lawsuit Process
A strong lawyer always has a plan. A personal injury lawyer who specializes in vehicle accidents should be able to explain to you all the potential outcomes of your case.
Once the lawsuit is filed and your complaint is served, your attorney will be able to give you a general idea of what you can expect to happen next. Although nothing is carved in stone, an attorney should be able to anticipate how the other party will respond, the odds of the case going to court, and what to anticipate moving forward.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you were injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, you probably have a lot of questions. At Local Accident Reports, we understand where our clients are coming from and what they have been through. That is why we offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case and discuss your legal options. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced nationwide car accident lawyers today.