Hiring an attorney may be necessary, but it’s not something to rush into. When someone needs an attorney to help with a car accident case, they need to find the right one. The way to do this is through proper research and consultations, such as meeting with the attorney and learning more about how they can help. Before making a decision, the person should consider the following.
1. Experience Handling Similar Cases
When hiring an accident attorney, ensuring they have handled similar cases is important. A truck accident can be very different from a car accident, so if the attorney has only handled car accidents in the past, they may not be as familiar with everything that goes into a truck accident case and how it can differ. Working with an attorney with experience in similar cases means they know exactly what to do and how to handle it.
2. Resources Available to the Law Firm
It is a good idea to look into the resources available to the law firm. While a smaller law firm can likely handle the case well, they may need certain connections to ensure it is handled appropriately – do they have those connections? They may need access to expert witnesses for the case, such as someone who does accident reconstruction to show how the accident happened. They may also need funds to hire these witnesses, connections to other professionals, and more.
3. Ability to Communicate Properly
It is crucial to make sure that the attorney can communicate properly and that they will respond quickly to any questions or concerns. What is their preferred method of communication? Using something like an email that can be reread later is recommended to lower the chance of miscommunication during the case. It’s also important to ensure they are a good listener and willing to listen to all concerns about the case.
4. Positive Reviews by Clients and Peers
Check out reviews for the attorney to see what other people said about them. It is important to remember that negative client reviews may be because the attorney didn’t get them as much money as they wanted, but if there is a pattern, it could be an issue. Also, look into ways to check peer reviews to see if other attorneys have any compliments or complaints about the attorney.
5. Legal and Other Fees
While the settlement should cover the legal fees, it is still a good idea to understand what they are and how much the case may cost in the end. It is also a good idea to ask about other possible fees that may not be paid through the settlement or may need to be paid in advance, such as the cost to hire an expert witness for trial, to understand the out-of-pocket cost, if any, of moving forward with the case.
These are just a few things to consider when hiring an accident attorney. Take the time to look into their background, what they can help with, and whether they can help you get the compensation you need from the case. By doing so, you’ll have a better chance of being awarded a higher settlement so that all expenses from the accident are covered.
