Car accident cases are often much more complex than many people imagine, and finding a good lawyer will be extremely important, especially if the accident has caused serious injuries. Going with an incompetent lawyer could not only end up robbing you of compensation but could even lead to you being deemed responsible for the accident which would be tragic if you have to deal with long-term consequences and the loss of some or all your ability to make a living. In this article, we’re going to look at a few things you should consider when looking for a car accident lawyer to make sure that you find the right lawyer.
Make Sure That They Specialize in Car Accidents
It’s not uncommon for personal injury lawyers to also work on car accident cases, and while their experiences do overlap, you also want to make sure that they have substantial experience dealing with your type of case. This is especially important if your case involves a commercial vehicle or a truck. A lawyer who has extensive experience in car accidents will be able to dig beyond the surface and find out who is truly liable.
Sometimes, a company could be sued for negligence if it can be shown that their employee was overworked, for instance, or it might be demonstrated that they didn’t perform a routine check. Manufacturer faults may also be the cause of an accident. The more parties you can hold liable, the more money you can expect to get, so ensure that you pick a lawyer that will go above and beyond and make sure that they have experience both with settlements and in court.
Going with a lawyer who is not willing to go to trial or has limited experience is a sure recipe for disaster, and a lawyer that never goes to trial should be seen as a red flag. However, the vast majority of cases will be settled out of court, but make sure your lawyer is not afraid to go to court and has experience trying cases.
Check their Fee Structure
It’s also very important that you check the attorney’s fee structure before you work with them. Your attorney should never charge you a dime up front. The attorney’s fee should be a percentage of your judgment or settlement, so you won’t have to pay them out of pocket for representation. You could, however, have to pay for certain things such as filing fees, hiring certain experts, or asking for experts to come to trial. So, ask whether this could happen in your case, and know exactly how much you can expect to pay for different services. Your attorney should advance money for case costs and simply reimburse themselves once the case resolves. You should not have to pay for case costs as they become due.
Ask for References
References and reviews will also give you a good idea of how good a car accident lawyer is. Try to ask for references from people who have cases similar to yours. Even if you don’t end up contacting them, the way the lawyer reacts to your request will give you an indication of how confident they are in their service and reputation. If they have no problem providing you with a long list of references, then there’s a good chance that they’re legitimate.
Another thing you should do is check how respected they are by other attorneys. Attorneys routinely collaborate and will refer cases to lawyers outside of their field of expertise. Lawyers who get lots of referrals usually get them because they’re highly regarded by their peers, so don’t hesitate to ask them what percentage of their cases come from other attorneys.
Look at the State of their Office
You can pick up a lot of things about the way a lawyer or law firm operates by visiting their office. This is why you need to keep your eyes and your ears peeled on your first visit and pay attention to details. Start by looking at how busy the staff is and if they look composed. If you get there and everyone looks busy but organized, this is a great sign as it shows that they have lots of business, but still manage to keep everything under control.
You will then need to pay special attention to how organized the lawyer you first meet is. Also, make sure that this lawyer is the person who will be actively working on your case. Many firms will bring in people specifically to close clients, and they might be much more polished than the lawyer who actually takes your case. They may not even have experience in cases like yours, so be careful.
If the person you have in front of you is the person who will be working on your case, check how tidy their space is. If everything is tightly organized, then this is a great sign. If, on the other hand, they have to go through piles of paper to find information or are constantly interrupted during your meetings, you should see it as a red flag.
Check their Communication Style
It’s also very important that you work with a lawyer you mesh with. The lawyer in question has to be willing to answer your questions and be willing to say things you might not like. If you don’t understand certain terms, the lawyer should be patient and willing to explain them to you. They should also be able to make you feel comfortable.
If, at any time during your meeting, you have the impression that the lawyer is trying to rush the conversation or they look disinterested, consider looking for someone else. They might think that your case is not important enough for their attention, and show you subtly that they don’t want to pick it up. So, check for these cues, and only go with a lawyer who seems like they take your case seriously.These tips should be more than enough to help you find a car accident lawyer you can trust. It’s important to make sure that they have the experience needed to handle your specific case, are open to going all the way, and are interested in representing you.
We have lawyers based in California, Nevada and Texas ready to take on your semi-truck accident case and help you get the result that you want. We offer a completely free case evaluation, and work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you will only ever pay once you have received the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 877-559-3513.
