Nobody plans on being involved in a car accident. But it happens to millions of people every year, nonetheless. Car accidents range from minor fender benders to catastrophic and devastating multi-car pileups, but no matter what, you’ll bear the risk of sustaining an injury.
If you’re injured in a car accident that isn’t your fault, you need to have legal representation. But why is this the case? And how do you choose the best car accident lawyer for your needs?
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a significant car accident, your first priority should be getting medical attention for your injuries. After that, you should contact a car accident lawyer.
Even if you’re not sure whether you want to proceed with litigation, it’s a good idea to at least talk to a personal injury attorney who knows what they’re doing. Your lawyer is going to help you evaluate whether or not you have a legal claim, estimate the damages in your case, and if you choose to move forward, follow legal proceedings.
If you move forward with legal action, your lawyer is going to represent you in preparing paperwork, negotiating with other parties, finalizing a settlement, and going to court if necessary. It’s practically impossible to do all this work on your own. Even if you could do this work on your own, it would be better to work with a professional, responsible attorney who can help you get better results.
Keep in mind that most personal injury attorneys don’t charge you for an initial consultation, so there’s no financial reason to avoid meeting. During this initial consultation, you can decide whether it makes sense to proceed with a legal filing.
Where to Start Your Search
If you’re not sure where to start looking for a car accident lawyer, begin with one of the following:
- Referrals. One of the best ways to find car accident lawyers in your area is to get a referral. This way, you can get a recommendation from someone you know and trust, and you’ll have a warm introduction with which you can start the partnership.
- Legal directories. Legal directories are resources designed to make it easier for people like you to find the attorneys and legal help they need. They tend to be accessible, easy to navigate, and conducive to comparing lawyers apples to apples.
- Searches. Failing that, you can always try an old-fashioned online search. Make sure you prioritize finding a lawyer in your area who specializes in car accidents specifically.
- Social media. You may also be able to find car accident lawyers on social media, through similar searching strategies. However, make sure you do your due diligence before hiring one.
What to Look For
In your searches and due diligence, these are the most important qualities and aspects to look for:
- Credentials. No matter what, you should look at the individual’s credentials to make sure they’re qualified to practice law in your area. Laws vary by region, so make sure you hire someone who is familiar with the laws in your area.
- Experience. You’ll also want to look at each firm’s or individual’s experience. How long has this firm been in operation? How long has this lawyer been practicing law? Have they always been committed to areas of personal injury law and car accidents, or do they have previous experience in other areas?
- Previous results. Similarly, you should investigate past results. What cases has this lawyer won in the past? Do they bear any similarities to your base? How much were they able to win in damages? What does a typical settlement look like?
- Strategy/approach. It’s a good idea to figure out this person’s strategy and approach as well. Are they aggressive in their negotiating strategy? Are they willing to go to trial if it comes down to it? Do they have a specific process that they follow with respect to most cases?
- Availability. Not all attorneys and law firms are open to new clients all the time. Before getting your heart set on a representative, make sure you understand their availability and whether they’re willing to take on your case.
- Communication. Also, make sure that you can communicate reliably and consistently with this option. Communication is critical for moving your case forward.
- Fees. Your lawyer will likely charge you fees for their services. As we’ve already established, they probably won’t charge for the initial consultation. But you should understand and be prepared for what you’re going to owe by the end of the case. This is usually based on your total settlement amount, but fees vary.
Ultimately, it’s your choice who you want to hire as your car accident lawyer. Once you’ve done your research and you’ve weighed your options, trust your instincts and make whatever decision seems right to you.
