If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, having an experienced attorney on your side is crucial for getting the full compensation you deserve. But with so many lawyers out there, how do you find and choose the very best car accident attorney to handle your injury claim? This guide covers tips for selecting the top car accident lawyer for your needs.
Finding The Best Lawyer For Car Accident requires research and comparing law firms and attorneys. Factors like experience, reputation, expertise and a proven track record of results should be considered. Invest time upfront finding the right auto accident lawyer, and it can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.
12 Tips for Choosing The Best Lawyer For Car Accident
- Experience handling car accident cases – Look for an attorney with years of specialized experience with auto collisions and injury lawsuits.
- Great reputation – Read online reviews and check ratings sites like Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell. Seek out well-respected lawyers.
- Focus on car accidents – Find lawyers who concentrate on auto accident claims as their primary practice area.
- Proven track record – Look for attorneys who have a documented history of taking cases to trial and achieving high settlements for clients.
- Strong negotiators – The top lawyers can negotiate effectively with insurance companies to get victims fair compensation.
- Resources to handle your case – Select larger firms with the staff and financial resources to thoroughly work up your case.
- Referrals from past clients – Happy former clients can recommend which lawyers did a good job on their auto injury cases.
- Commitment to client communication – Choose a lawyer who is responsive, keeps you informed, and explains things clearly.
- Easy to talk to – Make sure your attorney listens to you, answers all questions, and is someone you feel comfortable with.
- No upfront fees – The best car accident attorneys work on contingency, meaning legal fees come from settlement payments only.
- Experience in court – For serious or complex cases, seek out lawyers with extensive trial experience fighting for clients in court.
- Member of legal associations – Look for attorneys who actively participate in respected legal groups like the AAJ.
8 Crucial Questions to Ask When Interviewing Car Accident Lawyers
- How much experience do you have handling car accident injury cases? How many years have you practiced this specific area of law?
- What is your track record of case results? What types of settlements and verdicts have you achieved for past clients?
- Which bar associations and legal groups do you belong to? Are you rated by any lawyer review organizations?
- What will your specific role be in handling my case? Who handles what aspects, and who will I work with most?
- What is your strategy for building the strongest claim possible in my case? How will you approach negotiations with the insurance company?
- How responsive are you to client calls, emails and requests for information? How frequently will you update me on my case?
- What distinguishes you from other lawyers that handle car accident cases? Why should I choose you?
- If my case may go to trial, what is your background with taking auto accident cases to court and litigation experience?
6 Common Causes of Car Accidents
Determining what caused your accident is key. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving – Driver distraction like phone use is a major accident factor. Failure to focus on the road leads to collisions.
- Speeding – Excess speed causes loss of control, reduced reaction time, and increased impact force in a crash.
- Drunk driving – Intoxication impairs faculties, reflexes and judgment, making accidents much more likely.
- Fatigued driving – Drowsy drivers have slow reaction times and impaired attention, often causing them to crash.
- Aggressive driving – Tailgating, unsafe passing, speeding and road rage behaviors often result in accidents.
- Weather conditions – Rain, snow, ice and fog lead to hazardous driving conditions that can cause collisions.
Your lawyer’s investigation will uncover evidence proving fault for the accident. This establishes liability that leads to maximum compensation.
10 Typical Injuries Suffered in a Serious Car Accident
Serious car accidents often inflict severe injuries such as:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries – paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Burns
- PTSD and psychological trauma
- Concussions
Victims can suffer short and long term effects. Your car accident lawyer will demand full compensation for all accident injuries and their impacts.
Why Retaining a Car Accident Lawyer Is Crucial
Some key reasons hiring an auto accident attorney is vital:
- They conduct a full investigation to establish fault for the crash and build a compelling injury claim.
- They protect your legal rights and ensure all options for maximum compensation are pursued.
- They handle negotiations with insurance companies to achieve fair settlement offers.
- They know how to determine the full value of your damages and losses.
- They are knowledgeable of laws, court procedures and legal deadlines.
- They have experience taking cases to trial if fair settlements cannot be reached.
- They allow accident victims to focus on recovery – not hassles with the legal process.
- They work on contingency, getting paid only if you win compensation.
Steps an Attorney Will Take on Your Car Accident Case
A dedicated car accident lawyer will aggressively work to get their injured client fair compensation by:
- Conducting a detailed initial case review and consultation
- Gathering police reports, accident scene photos, video evidence
- Interviewing eyewitnesses to establish facts on what occurred
- Analyzing crash data to pinpoint liability and negligence
- Consulting medical experts to fully understand injuries sustained
- Managing correspondence and calls with insurance companies
- Determining all available insurance money, assets and sources of compensation
- Calculating all damages and losses – medical bills, lost wages, etc.
- Demanding fair settlement offers from insurance companies
- Negotiating persistently to resolve the claim out of court
- Filing a lawsuit on your behalf if warranted
- Taking the case to trial if no reasonable settlement is offered
Questions to Ask Yourself to Find the Best Attorney
Ask yourself:
- Do I feel fully comfortable communicating with this lawyer?
- Am I confident they have the experience, resources and expertise to handle my unique case?
- Does the attorney understand the full impact of my injuries and losses?
- Will this lawyer fight relentlessly to get me maximum compensation?
- Do they have a proven track record of delivering great results for clients?
If the answer to any question gives you pause, keep looking for your perfect lawyer match. Retaining an attorney you fully trust and connect with improves the case outcome.
Act Fast to Protect Your Rights After an Accident
Time is of the essence after any car crash to consult with top attorneys while evidence and witness memories are fresh. An experienced car accident lawyer will immediately start building your injury claim. Do not leave compensation to chance – consult with respected attorneys in your area for a free case review. Having a tenacious legal advocate can make all the difference in getting fair compensation so you can fully move on from your accident.
