What to Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer
No one expects to be involved in a car accident, but the rising number of vehicles on the road and the ubiquity of driving distractions like cell phones have greatly raised the likelihood of such an event occurring. The likelihood of being involved in or causing a vehicle accident decreases if you are a conscientious, vigilant driver who follows all traffic regulations.
But if you are ever in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you’ll need a vehicle accident attorney to handle the legal details. There are a number of considerations you should evaluate before deciding on an attorney to represent you. When involved in a vehicle accident, it may seem apparent to engage a lawyer who specializes in such accidents, but some individuals may instead go with a lawyer they are already acquainted with, even if that lawyer does not handle car accident cases. Finding a lawyer that focuses on instances involving accident collisions is preferable to hiring a general personal injury attorney. That’s because they’ll have more resources at their disposal to deal with your case. A good question to ask a prospective attorney is how many similar cases they have worked on in the previous year and how long they have been in practice.
A qualified attorney would gladly provide you with contact information for previous clients who would be happy to attest to their abilities. Just the fact that the attorney is willing to supply a list is encouraging, even if you ultimately decide not to call any of the clients on the list. If the lawyer gives you a list of references, however, you should call a couple of them to get an idea of how their case was handled and whether or not they were satisfied with the representation they received. Your chosen attorney should be easy to get in touch with and prompt in responding to your phone calls and emails. They should be upfront and easy to understand about their rates and case before taking your case. Additionally, they should be able to respond to any inquiries you may have in simple, non-technical terms. They owe it to you to keep you updated on the status of your case so that you may plan accordingly. When meeting with your lawyer, you should leave with more answers than questions.
After an automobile accident, the insurance company will always endeavor to provide the sufferer with the lowest possible settlement. You need an attorney who will help you file an insurance claim and who will not accept anything less than the full amount you are owed. Your attorney should be ready for trial and have previous experience doing so. A lawyer who isn’t afraid to take on the insurance company isn’t doing you any favors.
Hiring the correct automobile accident attorney is crucial if you want to win your case after an auto accident. Your lawyer has to be ready to go to bat for you and should have open lines of contact with you throughout the case. If you want your case to have the greatest chance of success, you should take the time to select the correct automobile accident lawyer and thoroughly analyze all of your choices.