Fender Bender? Here's Great Advice On Finding an Auto Accident Attorney
Fender Bender? Here's Great Advice On Finding an Auto Accident Attorney
Nothing could be worse than going through a nasty court battle. That's why it's important to think ahead and keep an experienced auto accident attorney in mind before taking on the big bad insurance company.If you've never been in an accident, great! You're one of the lucky ones. Statistics show drivers involve themselves in an accident about once every eighteen years. Fender benders and the like are bound to happen, and that's why it's a great idea to prepare just in case you find yourself in one. If you've been in one, you already know how difficult it can be to collect what your rightful dues from the insurance company. In either case, here are some tips on choosing the right auto accident attorney.
Reputation Is Key
Chances are you know someone who's been involved in an accident. Ask them about their experience and see if they can refer you to a lawyer. Also, pay attention to television ads and be sure to verify any lawyer's claims through reputable sources. Your state bar association keeps records of every licensed lawyer, so take advantage of what they offer, but don't rely on any single source or recommendation. Additional tip: check out the various legal journals in circulation; you can bet that a published lawyer is more respected than one who hasn't been published.
Free Consultations
Take advantage of these when they are offered. Most firms offer free consultations to get a good feel for your case. This is also a good time to ask them questions about their practice. You might consider asking about their legal morals, why they practice, and their success rates. How many cases have they won? What they find out about you is just as important as you finding out about them.
Prepare for a Long Process
Okay, that's not exactly true. But you can bet the insurance company is going to put up a fight. They are not in the business of losing money, and sadly enough, they don't really want to pay you. Some cases have been settled after a single phone call, others have been lost in the black hole of the legal system, and others might take months of fighting. The attorney you choose should have a good estimate as to how long your case may last. It's best to prepare, and, if you can, to get your finances in order, pay bills ahead of time, and be ready for a fight.
When Will You Get Paid?
That depends on the length of the process. Personally, my one and only accident was settled in less than two weeks, and I received a check within a few days. But I've heard of people waiting for months, even years, for their first payment. If you're involved in an especially complex case with a substantial amount of money on the line, you might consider discussing a settlement advance with your lawyer. Advances usually come from third parties, typically procured in a lump installment in which the money is treated like a loan.
Choosing an auto accident attorney can be a challenging and intimidating process. Be sure to use these tips when you're considering your next lawyer.
Choosing an Auto Accident Attorney for a Successful Case
It's never an easy decision to move forward with a lawsuit. Unless you are a contentious person by nature, you may find it an act of unnecessary aggression, even if you were injured as the result of someone else's negligence. This is, in fact, the way many insurance companies and corporations want you to look at the situation. They want you to believe that filing a lawsuit is the act of a greedy individual and that you're hurting not only them by taking that step, but others as well, in the form in increased premiums and higher prices. Don't believe it for a minute. If you are entitled to compensation, you are entitled to compensation. A good auto accident attorney can help you get what you deserve. Here's how to find one.Use Your Friends
If you know anyone who has hired an auto accident lawyer in the past, make them your first stop on your search. Attorneys rely heavily on word of mouth when it comes to effective advertising. You can't believe anything you see on a billboard or hear in a paid spot, but you can believe what your friend tells you about their experience. Plus, you have at least one example of a case in which that attorney was successful (assuming that he was). But the outcome of the case is secondary. Your case may bear little or no resemblance to that of your friend, so don't put too much emphasis on the results of a specific case.
Referrals
If you have an attorney of your own for some other purpose, they may be able to refer you to an auto accident lawyer who can help with your case. Don't make the mistake of repurposing an attorney, however. Some attorneys have a good relationship with their clients and are thus who the client expects to represent them, regardless of the field. But a tax attorney isn't going to know the ropes when it comes to personal injury law. He will be perfectly capable of filing the briefs and showing up in court, but he isn't going to have the experience and knowledge it takes to be successful. Have him refer you to someone who knows the field.
Keep Your Options Open
You don't have to hire the first auto accident lawyer you meet with. Even if you take a consultation with an attorney who is chomping at the bit to get at your case, take your time and make a measured decision. You can always come back after reviewing your options.