How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer: What You Need to Know

According to the National Safety Council, over 40,000 people were killed in car accidents in 2017 alone.

If you were involved in an auto accident, you’re probably looking for car accident lawyers and wondering where you should start. Look no further than this article, where you will learn the basics for how to find a great accident attorney to represent you in court.

Why Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

If you’ve been in an accident and experienced damages as a result, it’s important that you hire a car accident lawyer to help you with your case. A good attorney can make an enormous difference in how your case works out. This is why it’s so important to find the right car accident lawyer for you.

An experienced auto accident lawyer can help you recover money you lost as a result of an accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and repair expenses.

If you are not represented by a skilled lawyer, insurance companies will employ their legal staff to minimize your damages as much as possible. You want to prevent that from happening, so choose your car accident lawyer carefully.

When Should You Find a Lawyer?

After you’ve suffered injuries in an auto accident, you can either file a lawsuit on your own behalf, or you can hire a car accident lawyer to do it for you. If you choose to hire an attorney, you should do so as soon as possible after the accident to avoid expensive mistakes that might diminish your potential damages.

Deadlines for filing personal injury claims are different from one state to another, but with the potential for medical and lost wage expenses to add up, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

What Should You Look for in a Lawyer?

The right legal assistance might mean the difference between success and failure for your case. Look for an attorney with the following qualities:

• A strong reputation for negotiating with insurance companies successfully.
• Experience with cases like yours.
• The ability to juggle multiple court cases at the same time without compromising.
• A personality that works well with yours — you want a lawyer whom you’ll get along well with.

What Questions Should You Ask a Lawyer?

Before you meet with an attorney, you should have as much information with you as possible about the car accident. Ask them questions like the following:

• How long have you been practicing?
• How would you handle my case?
• How will you keep me informed as the case progresses? How should I contact you?
• How much experience do you have in accident cases?
• What kind of participation would you need from me?
• Will you give me a fee arrangement that includes details for all expenses, billing, and payments?

It’s important to remember that if you aren’t comfortable around the lawyer, you would probably be best off looking elsewhere.

How Do You Choose a Lawyer?

Once you’ve actually met with a lawyer and discussed your case, you’ll be well prepared to decide whether to hire them or not. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable having them on your case. Do you believe they have the skills and experience necessary to manage your case well? Did they go the extra mile to make sure you understood them, or did they resort to buzzwords you couldn’t quite follow?

Before hiring an attorney, it’s also imperative that you understand exactly how and how much you will need to pay them.

You now know the basics for how to get started finding a car accident lawyer. Get started right away, and listen to your instincts as you go along. With the right attorney, your claim can be a successful one.