Having an accident is an unfortunate part of life. To help you get justice, we unveil the top 5 qualities you should look for in a personal injury lawyer.
As people get into a car accident an average of every 18 years
or so, you're going to need to talk to a lawyer a few times in your life. While some incidents merely bang up your car, some are more serious than others. If you've been in an incident where you're looking for compensation for medical bills and other expenses, you need to find the right lawyer for your case.
Here are five things to look for in a personal injury lawyer.
1. They Need a Winning Record
When you've been in a car accident, you don't need the first lawyer who comes knocking on your door. You deserve someone who has a good record of getting their clients what they deserve. Rather than settling for someone who can do the work, you should find someone who has a track record of getting major settlements.
Your first step should be to read online reviews. They can ensure that you find someone who is reputable and responsible. Look for details that match a case like yours to know that the person you've found knows how to settle a case like yours.
Ask for references to other cases that they've settled. Again, look for cases like yours that share some of the more important details.
If all else fails, look for reviews online. There should be some on Google, Yelp, Avvo, and other sites where you find information about the lawyer. If the firm has any social media profiles, look for information there too.
2. You Deserve Service
From the moment you first contact the reception desk until you sit down with your legal team, you should be getting fantastic service. You've been through hell and back when you've been in a car accident, so the last thing you need is for someone to be rude to you. Your legal team should be gracious and friendly from the moment you meet them.
They should also be willing to make sure that you have all of your questions answered. The process of filing your claim can be confusing if you've never been in an accident like this before. You'll need to contact both insurance companies and fill out lots of paperwork.
When you talk to either insurance company, you'll find that neither wants to pay out to you very badly. Both will likely want to short change you and make the other responsible for the bulk of your needs.
Your legal team needs to know how to navigate this and to help you from having to stress out about insurance companies. The best way to do this is by giving you careful and comprehensive service.
3. They Need to Walk You Through the Process
Part of good service is the willingness to walk laypeople through the process of filing everything they need to file. There will be lots of things to do in that first week after the accident and time is of the essence.
It's vital that you go out and get seen by a doctor immediately. You need to have photos taken of every injury
as well as scans or x-rays. You'll need all of that if you want to file a strong claim.
You'll also need photos of your car, any photos from the incident, and images that show important things about where the accident occurred. If there are any visibility issues, broken lights, or missing street signs, these could all be vital to your case.
Your lawyer will help you gather everything you need together to build a strong case.
4. Ask About Contingency
While many people who get in accidents might not feel like they can afford a lawyer, the truth is that many victims don't have to pay a dime. Most of the best accident lawyers out there will work on contingency. This means that they won't get paid unless you get paid.
Accident lawyers are notorious for this, as they're not going to take on a case they don't already know they can win. If one of these lawyers takes on your case, it means that they're confident that they're going to win you a settlement.
Make sure that you keep good records of your medical fees, lost wages, and any expenses you incur because of the incident. This will allow your lawyer to come up with a number that makes sense for you.
If they don't work on contingency, they might just be out to take your money. A lawyer willing to take money only if you win is one you can trust.
5. Do They Make You Feel Comfortable?
Ultimately, your lawyer needs to make you feel comfortable when you talk to them. You need to feel that they're listening and that they care when you talk. They shouldn't be talking over you or trying to tell you what you should do when it feels wrong to you.
Make sure that you're able to speak openly and honestly to your lawyer. You should be able to ask as many questions as you want and contact them at any time. They should be clear about what they need from you and be willing to help you to understand how to get them the things they need to win the case.
Make sure it feels like you're always working together rather than that you're at the bottom of their priorities.
A Car Accident Requires the Right Lawyer
When you're looking for a personal injury lawyer, you deserve someone who takes your accident seriously. Your health and your happiness should be important to your lawyer and they should be willing to fight for you to get what you deserve.
If your trip to the hospital results in medical malpractice, check out our guide
to find out what you need to know for your case.
