Seven Things To Consider When Hiring a Lawyer After a Car Accident
After a car accident, many people are thrown into great confusion, which disrupts their day-to-day lives depending on the accident’s severity. There are many issues to look into, and most times, these are overwhelming and may tempt you to give up on getting justice. Do not give up on seeking treatment for injuries and car replacement or repair if the damage is manageable. You can also seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Pain and suffering are considered non-economic losses, while lost wages and a possibility of not being able to work again fall under an economic loss. After a car accident, you need to find a dedicated and reliable personal injury lawyer who is keen to help you pursue compensation to the last moment. Before settling on the right lawyer for your case, you should consider several factors.
Dedication and Specialization
A general lawyer may be of help during a personal injury case. However, personal injury law may not be their main area of dedication, experience, and specialization. Lawyers who are dedicated to crash cases and collisions are very familiar with all the requirements of these claims and lawsuits. Since they have first-hand information after handling many related cases, this kind of specialization means the attorney usually has all the required information for your case at their fingertips: From which insurance to follow, who pays the towing charges, who pays your hospital bills, and even to ensure you give the correct information that will not sabotage the ongoing case. There is a reason you need to talk to a lawyer first before sharing information, as some of that information may be used against you in court. The area of dedication that a lawyer practices in should always be a key consideration.
Accessibility
It’s one thing to have an experienced and dedicated lawyer and another to make sure they are available when you need them. If the lawyer is busy, that can be a good sign that they know what they are doing as they are trusted with a lot of business. However, if they are too busy for you, including picking up a phone call or responding to an inquiry, or even signing up your case, you may want to look elsewhere. If you leave a message with the personal assistant that is never returned, you can consider looking for someone who will give your case the attention you deserve and ensure your case takes the shortest amount of time possible. Going for a very busy lawyer could result in your case dragging in court for years.
Experience
Find out the lawyer’s level of experience in motor vehicle accident law. You can find this information in many places. Check their LinkedIn profile to find out where they went to school, and whether they have undergone further training. Find out if they attend current training that matches current developments in the legal sector of personal injury. Find out how many clients there are at the practice, the kind of cases they have handled in the past, and the outcomes of those cases.
Recommendations, Referrals, and Online Reviews
Find referrals for a car crash attorney from friends, family, and online recommendations and reviews. If a trusted friend or family member received legal help after a car accident without complications, they are most likely to recommend the specific attorney who helped them. Online reviews are another great source of information. There are Google reviews and lawyer-specific reviews found on websites such as superlawyers.com. Consider both positive and negative reviews, and especially the severity of complaints, if any. You can also pay attention to how the attorney reacts to both positive and negative online reviews.
Location
It’s crucial to find a lawyer who is easily accessible. If possible, find one you can easily access from where you live without compromising on the quality of service. You could be dealing with severe enough injuries where long-distance movement may not be a good idea. A lawyer who can come to you at the start of the case could prove to be necessary.
Reputation
Find out the attorney’s reputation in the community. They may have a good educational background and experience but have a bad reputation in the community. Find out the lawyer’s reputation among their peers, judges, insurance companies, and even the community where they are based.
Size of the Law Firm
For the sake of your client-attorney relationship, you may opt to work with a small law firm. The lawyer gets to handle your case and have a close relationship with you as the case progresses. The advantage with a small law firm is that the lawyer who initiates your case is likely the same one that handles it to the end. On the other hand, you may also consider working with a bigger firm since they have more resources, reviews, and personnel. However, your case may end up being delegated to other attorneys along the way as the senior attorneys handle more complicated cases. In that scenario, there is a lack of personal touch since your case file is likely to be handled by several individuals before the case is over. In any event, it’s important that you make the final decision on who will represent you in a motor vehicle accident case based on all the factors discussed above and any others that are important to you. You have only one shot at your case, so make it the best one you can.
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2803 Fruitville Road Suite 240
Sarasota FL 34237
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