Car accidents can result in serious injuries that can take years to heal (if ever) and cost thousands in medical bills and lost wages. An accident lawyer helps people injured in car accidents because of the negligence of another driver. They gather evidence to build personal injury claims and seek full and fair compensation for the damages caused by the other driver. But not all injury lawyers are equal. Read on to learn what to look for in an accident lawyer.
If you have been hurt in an accident and you believe the other driver is at least partially at fault, a car accident lawyer can help you through each step of your injury claim and ensure that you receive the maximum settlement for your injuries and losses.
What to Look for in an Accident Lawyer
Here is a list of the top five things to look for in an accident lawyer:
1. Good reviews/recommendations
One of the best ways to know that you are choosing the right lawyer is to do a Google search for local accident lawyers and read their reviews on Google and sites like avvo.com and lawyers.com. Another good way to find a great lawyer is to ask your friends and family for a referral. Their personal experiences can give you an idea of what it will be like if you hire that law firm.
2. Choose a lawyer with experience
It’s a good idea to choose a lawyer with experience handling car accidents in your state. They will know the state laws for personal injury cases and should have a network of local and well-regarded specialists in accident reconstruction, psychology, and engineering who can serve as a resource when determining liability and calculating the severity and the costs related to your personal injury.
3. Look for a lawyer with a track record of success
When it comes to car accident settlements, car insurance companies are the enemy. They will try to get away with paying the smallest settlement possible, often one that doesn’t cover all damages. You will benefit from choosing an accident attorney who knows this and isn’t afraid to play hardball with the at-fault insurer. A great car accident lawyer will know a low-ball offer when they see one and negotiate or, if necessary, take a case to trial to get their client a fair settlement. Don’t be afraid to ask about the lawyer’s track record of success. Out of the cases they have handled, how many were successfully settled out-of-court and how many were taken to trial and concluded with a favorable jury award?
4. Look for a lawyer who will speak with you directly
It’s no secret that every great lawyer has a great paralegal secretary (or more) working alongside them but it’s still important to find a lawyer who will speak directly to you. You should also expect their legal team to communicate with you while they are working on your personal injury case; which can easily be one to three years. If you call with a question or request an update on your case, you want someone at the office to respond to you in a timely manner. You can test responsiveness before choosing an attorney based on who calls you back to set up a meeting and who answers your questions in a timely manner.
5. Pick an injury lawyer that you feel comfortable with
Interview a couple of local car accident lawyers to make sure that you feel comfortable talking to them. You should feel a certain level of trust in their character and desire to help you before making your choice.
Contact a car accident lawyer today!
A car accident lawyer can help you recover a full and fair settlement for the injuries you sustained in a car accident with no up-front costs to you. We know the sneaky strategies used by insurance companies to get injured people to agree to settlements far below what they are worth. Our clients typically end up with a settlement or jury award that is five to ten times larger than they could have negotiated on their own. We have been representing people injured in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. Contact the experienced and hard-working personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Mount Vernon, WA today for a FREE consultation!
