Each year, about 2 million drivers are in car accidents that leave them with permanent injuries.
If you’re involved in a car accident and need to talk to a lawyer, how do you know you’re choosing the right one? You can’t assume that every vehicle accident lawyer is worth retaining to help you get whatever medical care and financial compensation you deserve.
You’ll want to do some research before signing on the dotted line. Making the wrong selection could compound your problems. And who needs more problems on the heels of getting into a fender bender that potentially caused personal injury or property damage?
If you want to avoid a case of regret, here’s a look at 3 mistakes to avoid when hiring a lawyer.
How to Select the Right Attorney After a Vehicle Accident
Mistake #1: Hiring a Lawyer With Insufficient Experience
When it comes to finding the right lawyer to handle your case, experience matters. You won’t want to retain the services of a car accident attorney fresh out of law school. He or she might be sharp as a whip and highly knowledgable, but experience counts a lot in the legal profession.
An experienced lawyer understands how to negotiate with insurance companies that are dragging their feet, knows when to accept a settlement offer over going to court, knows the ins and outs of navigating the legal process, and can advise you and set your mind at ease.
Don’t hire someone who might make rookie mistakes. Hire someone with a long track record. You’ll want to increase your odds of achieving a desirable outcome. An experienced lawyer can help.
Mistake #2: Hiring a Lawyer Who Goes AWOL at Times
Reputable, experienced lawyers with long track records of success are often busy. And why wouldn’t they be? After people get into accidents, they’ll want to find lawyers with strong track records of success.
So, the lawyer you want to represent you likely has many other clients motivated to get the best legal representation possible. So, before you sign the papers to have a car accident lawyer represent you, ask about availability.
You don’t want a scenario where your lawyer seemingly goes AWOL at certain times when you need to ask questions or provide information. Many lawyers have support teams that will keep you up to date on the status of your case, even if the lawyers are busy.
Find out the particulars before hiring a lawyer to avoid possible disappointment or undue stress.
Mistake #3: Hiring a Lawyer Who Has Poor or So-So Reviews
Another mistake to avoid is hiring a lawyer who doesn’t come highly recommended. Do you know someone who has had to consult car accident attorneys? If so, ask them questions like: Who did you hire? Were you satisfied with the help they received? Would you recommend the lawyer you hired? If you get some referrals, follow up with them to see if there are any good fits.
Otherwise, you can read some online reviews to learn about car accident lawyers in the region. When you find some candidates that appear to be promising, go online and do some more research. You can also call them for an initial consultation to find out if they’re a good fit.
Hiring the Right Car Accident Lawyer is Critical
If you get into a car accident that results in an injury, one of the most important things to do is consult a lawyer. But you won’t want just any lawyer. It’s essential to choose the right one for you. After an accident, you might have to take time off work, visit your doctor, go to physio once or more per week, and more.
The right car accident lawyer will be able to advise you, explain your options, and represent you in settlement talks or a court case.
