The average cost of a fatal car accident is $1,750,000. The average for a disabling injury is $101,000.
The numbers add up for victims and those at fault. They include lost wages, medical and administrative expenses, motor vehicle damage, uninsured costs, and more.
A car accident lawyer is your best asset after a crash. Choose the right one and they’ll handle the insurance companies and debt collectors while working to get you a fair settlement.
Read on to learn the six most important factors to consider before hiring a car accident attorney.
1. Experience
A personal injury lawyer can take on almost any case where a client is injured. This includes car accidents as well as claims of:
- Medical malpractice
- Workers’ compensation
- Assault
Look instead for a specialized car accident injury attorney. They’ll understand the ways your case is different from other personal injury settlements.
Narrow your choices down by determining their level of experience. How long have they been practicing car accident law?
Examine the cases they’ve worked on in the past. Are there any that are similar to yours, and how successful have they been at settling them?
Look at their record of working with insurance companies. Have they been able to negotiate with them successfully? Even better, have they worked with your insurance company before?
2. Reputation
82% of potential clients read reviews before they hired a car accident attorney. They also sought out referrals from family and friends.
When you’re finished reviewing those, take it one step further by doing more online research. Every car accident attorney should have a website where you can learn more about them. Look at their social media as well.
Lawyer-specific review sites give you a more honed-in view of their professional reputation. Check your state’s legal board to see if there are any complaints against the firm or any of its lawyers.
Taking these steps helps you get a sense of their reputation. Along with experience, it shows you can trust them with your case because they’ve been successful with and loved by past clients.
3. Communication and Rapport
Schedule a consultation with every potential car accident injury attorney. This initial meeting lets you ask any questions you have after researching them.
It also helps you determine how well you can communicate with them. A clear back-and-forth is essential in court. Important details of the case can change at any moment, and you need to know about them as soon as possible.
Make sure that your attorney is open and honest with you from the beginning. Find out what their preferred method of communication is. Determine how well they’ll use it to answer questions and provide information.
You should feel comfortable communicating and working with your lawyer. A car accident injury case can be an emotional time, so find a professional who at least attempts to understand how you’re feeling.
4. Fees
The average billable rate for all lawyers is $300. This number can vary widely, so take time to determine how much you’re willing to pay before you start searching for an attorney. Look for high-quality options that fit your budget.
Ask your car accident lawyer about their fee structure upfront. Find out how much you’ll need to pay them and how they expect to be paid.
Certain lawyers charge a flat rate or hourly fee. Others ask for a contingency where they receive a portion of the settlement if they win your case.
Always read the contract thoroughly. Try to spot any hidden fees that you may get slapped with later.
5. Size and Availability
Look for an attorney who’s available to you at times that work best for your schedule. If they have too many other cases, they may not be able to dedicate enough time to yours.
The main factor affecting their availability is the size of the firm itself. Bigger is not always better.
Larger firms with a team of lawyers are more expensive but have more resources. They have a larger staff that can provide a range of professional insights from fields such as:
- Accident reconstruction
- Private investigation
- Nursing
The issue is that their size means their best lawyers aren’t as available. The firm may send off your case to a paralegal with less experience.
A solo practitioner or a smaller firm is more affordable. It also has fewer resources and staff members.
Their best professionals will have smaller caseloads and be more available to handle your case. This makes it easier to connect with them and create a strong attorney-client relationship.
6. Location
Working with lawyers remotely is becoming more popular than ever. 79% of potential clients feel that the option to do so is an important factor in who they choose to take their case.
This preference shows up most during the initial consultation. 76% would rather have it in person, 70% prefer talking over the phone, and 58% prefer video conferencing.
Clients in cities are often spoiled for choice when it comes to local law firms. Those in remote areas may have to meet with a car accident injury lawyer remotely because there isn’t one close enough to them.
If you do venture out to a physical law firm, don’t travel too far if you don’t have to. Try to find a local one instead.
The proximity will make the process of getting to and from meetings much quicker. You can rush over to them in an emergency.
Local firms will also be more familiar with local laws. They may even have a relationship with other judges and lawyers in the area that could help your case.
Where to Find a Car Accident Attorney
One of the first steps to take after a crash is finding the right car accident attorney. Do research to see how experienced they are and what their reputation in the community is.
You can meet them remotely or choose a local firm. Consider the size and how available the firm’s lawyers will be to handle your case. Begin a relationship based on clear communication and ask about all their fees.
At Titan Law Firm, our attorneys pride themselves in treating every client like family and have helped many victims injured in car accidents get the maximum compensation they deserve.
Schedule a free consultation with Titan Injury Lawyers today or call 888.848.2656 to speak to an attorney today.
