On average, 20-50 million people are injured in car accidents every year.
Some of these injuries are fatal. Others can lead to lifelong debilitation, both physically and financially.
Luckily, if you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is possible to find the legal support you need to mitigate these effects. An auto accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal aftermath of any crash, no matter how severe.
It can be tough and intimidating seeking out an attorney to represent you in all of this. In this post, we’ll discuss what to look for in the best auto accident lawyer so you get the representation you deserve!
Read on for insight.
1. Appropriate Credentials
A lot of people assume that a lawyer is a lawyer. Yet no attorney at law is the same. For one thing, every lawyer will cater to a specific type of law, be it criminal, civil, common, or statuate.
When seeking an auto accident lawyer, you will want to identify an attorney practicing personal injury law. Personal or accident injury lawyers cater to people who have been injured in some way due to another person’s negligence.
The best auto accident lawyer will have a track record of catering specifically to victims of car accidents, in addition to appropriate board certifications.
If you do have a consultation with a prospective attorney, be sure to ask about these certifications and any peer ratings the attorney may have from other practicing lawyers.
An experienced personal injury lawyer may also have awards and high reviews in relevant legal directories. He or she may also have graduated with academic excellence from a reputable university.
Once again, if these credentials aren’t evident from the lawyer’s website, be sure to ask about them when meeting for an initial consultation.
2. Extensive Local Experience
Some personal injury lawyers cater to a variety of personal injury cases. They may or may not specialize in cases that concern victims of auto accidents. Others may work almost solely with auto accident victims.
In general, a lawyer who prioritizes auto accident cases is more likely to be attentive to all the nuances of your case. He or she will be fluent and experienced in auto accident law and may even have a high track record of success for cases represented.
Local experience is also important. A lawyer who is well-versed with the legal system in a particular precinct and state is more likely to represent you well.
Ask potential lawyers about their local experience with personal injury law. Prioritize the lawyers who have been in your community for at least several years and can indicate a high success rate for previous auto accident cases.
You may also wish to ask about whether or not a lawyer has represented cases similar to yours in the past. This can be a good indication of whether or not he or she will be able to meet all of your legal needs.
3. Empathy
Your relationship to your lawyer will be a professional one. But at the same time, it’s important to choose an auto accident attorney who can understand the subtleties and emotional complexities of your situation.
Recovering from an auto accident is no easy task, particularly if your accident was traumatizing and severe. A lawyer who shows a capacity to be empathetic of your situation can help make the legal process more comfortable.
It’s often easy to assess this in an initial consultation. Empathetic lawyers are often kind, warm, and compassionate during beginning conversations. They won’t make you feel like “just another client.”
4. An Open Schedule
Many personal injury lawyers are in high demand. Some regularly squeeze clients into already frenzied schedules. Because an auto accident case can be lengthy and complex, it’s important for you to find an attorney who has a schedule that can accommodate your needs.
In your consultation, ask prospective lawyers if they feel they have the time to address your case. Don’t be shy about being blunt here. You deserve all of your lawyer’s attention, especially if you’ll be paying for legal services out of pocket.
This means a lawyer who will attend all trials in person, rather than sending a representative.
If it seems as if your auto accident lawyer won’t be able to fully commit to your case time-wise, move on to someone else.
5. Consultation Services
The best auto accident lawyer will offer a free or discounted consultation to discuss the preliminaries of your case. A consultation is very important, as it gives you an opportunity to ask key questions and assess the best fit.
A consultation can also reveal a lot about an attorney’s personality, which is an important factor to consider when selecting legal aid.
Ask prospective lawyers about their ability to offer a consultation. The best ones will be eager to meet with you in person to go over your case’s details.
6. Commitment to Communication
You are likely to have a lot of questions about your upcoming auto accident case. The best auto accident lawyer will be communicative and responsive to all of your concerns and thoughts.
It can be hard to assess this up front. However, you can often get a sense for a lawyer’s capacity to communicate when setting up a consultation.
You may even wish to ask a lawyer outright how frequently he or she chooses to communicate, and how you’ll be able to get the answers you seek to pressing questions.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Auto Accident Lawyer
Navigating the legal complexities of an auto accident can be challenging. An experienced attorney at law can ensure that you emerge from any legal situation with confidence.
When choosing the best auto accident lawyer, prioritize ones with extensive experience and personal injury law credentials. Look for lawyers with a clear commitment to victims of auto accidents, as well as an open schedule.
The best auto accident lawyers will be the result of local referrals. They will also be empathetic individuals with a proven track record of success.
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