Accident attorneys are there to assist those individuals who have been hurt or injured in an accident to receive compensation for their injuries. Accidents happen. They can happen to anyone – even you. Unfortunately, sometimes they happen as the result of someone else’s negligence. If you have been involved in an accident where you sustained serious injuries, then you might need the help of an experienced and dedicated accident attorney to get you the compensation you deserve.
When it comes to finding the right accident attorney to handle your personal injury claim there is much that you must know. This is because each and every attorney is their own individual person. Accident attorneys have their own unique style in which they approach cases, they vary in how much they charge for their services, they decide how much time they spend on any given case, and the method in which they will communicate with their clients will also vary. Just like the accident attorneys that you will meet when searching for the perfect match, you too are an individual – as is your case. For this reason, it is imperative that you take your time to evaluate what it is that your unique case requires with regards to the perfect accident attorney.
What You Need to Know Before Selecting an Accident Attorney
Before you select an accident attorney to represent you and your case there are a few things that you should know.
First and foremost, what it will cost you to be represented by whatever accident attorney that you select will vary. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis in which they will only receive payment – usually around one-third of damages – if they win the case. When considering an accident attorney, make sure that you clearly communicate the fee expectations. Ask specifically about the techniques they use to charge for services. Though most accident attorneys work via contingency fees, not all do. Some might charge an hourly rate and others a flat-fee – beware of accident attorneys that charge by the hour and also those that charge for initial consults.
Second, hiring the right attorney begins with hiring the accident attorney that is best suited to your specific case. Most good attorneys will limit their practice, focusing only on a couple of areas of the law. During your initial consult is the best time to inquire about the personal injury attorney’s specialty area of practice – that is, assuming that they have one. A few questions that you might consider asking include:
- Do you have any experience in cases similar to mine?
- How many cases similar to mine have you represented and what was your method of representation?
- What is your current caseload and will I be dealing directly with you? Do you have the time to focus your full attention on my case?
Not only is it important that the accident attorney you select has experience representing cases like yours, but it is also important that the accident attorney is experienced at winning cases like yours. An accident attorney that is experienced in the personal injury area of law and that has experience winning trials and settlements is one that you ought to be interested in. That is, given your communication and payment arrangements also align. Keep a close eye out for any of the following aspects when it comes to selecting an accident attorney, as they should represent ‘red flags’ for you.
- Hardly any experience in personal injury cases with no proof of winning settlements for your type of case.
- Unnecessary hourly fees
- No credentials to speak of
If you feel as though you have found the perfect accident attorney to represent you and your case, be sure to do your homework. Research the lawyer that you are considering hiring as a precautionary measure.
Next, keep a close eye out for ambulance chasers and avoid them at all costs. Ambulance chasing is actually illegal in many states. If you get a letter from an accident attorney shortly after your accident, without inquiring into their services, beware.
It is important that you realize that not every personal injury case requires that you follow through with the suit filing. When you hire a dedicated and experienced accident attorney, you might find that they are able to get you a proper settlement without ever having to go through with the entire lawsuit filing process. This is one of the major benefits of hiring an experienced lawyer.
Schulman, Roth and Associates – The Accident Lawyers You Want On Your Side
If you are in need of a reliable, trusted, and experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you in the court of law, then you have come to the right place.