How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer for You?
April 13, 2022 | Car Accidents \ Personal Injury
After a car accident, you are thrown for a loop and are often left to wonder what you need to do next. You may have sustained injuries and losses that have affected your day-to-day life.
You should receive compensation for that. You can get justice for your accident by contacting a car accident lawyer. The next hurdle will be finding the best car accident lawyer for you.
Tips for finding the best car accident lawyer for you
You will need to find an attorney who regularly handles car accident cases. Many accident victims assume that all attorneys are created equal, but this assumption cannot be further from the truth. There are a few things to consider when determining whether or not the attorney you are speaking to is the right one for you.
While many attorneys will have car accidents listed as a practice area, this does not mean they only practice in this area of law. While they may know the basics, they may not be actively practicing, which can mean that you do not have the proper representation for your case.
Imagine that you are a manager for a store that has various departments. While you know how to manage the store in general, you may not be privy to the specific details that each department needs to complete its daily goals.
This lack of focus is precisely what happens when you hire an attorney who does not concentrate their practice in personal injury law or, more specifically, in car accident law. You should also hire an attorney who has courtroom experience. While you may not think that your case will go to trial, there is no way to predict the outcome of your case upon initial review.
If you hire a car accident lawyer with courtroom experience, they can treat your case as if it will be going to trial even if it doesn’t get that far. This preparation is critical, as it usually results in the strongest possible case to the insurance companies. This often leads to a favorable offer and may avoid a trial.
Research the attorneys you speak to before hiring them. Review their website and reviews online from prior clients. Once you find a firm that looks good, call for your free consultation.
During an initial consultation, you can ask them any questions that might soothe your fears about proceeding with them and the firm. You should ask specifically about their prior settlements and trial experience. You may even want to ask for references. Treat a consultation as a job interview.
You should also ask a car accident lawyer if they belong to any legal organizations for car accident attorneys. This is relevant because many local or national organizations will help keep personal injury attorneys up to date on the law and any changes that can affect their cases.
You will want an attorney to use all of their available resources to win your case. What happens if they don’t have any resources? You may get a lower settlement or no settlement offer at all. Ask about your potential attorney’s litigation resources, such as medical experts, financial experts, investigators, and more. These parties may be necessary to your accident claim, and if your attorney does not already have access to them, this lack can lead to trouble.
How to know when to contact a car accident lawyer?
If you are unsure whether you should contact a car accident attorney, remember that you can consult with an attorney without risk after any accident.
Seek legal help for your claim, but especially if:
- Fault was unclear
- The other person was at fault
- You suffered significant injuries
- You disagree with items on the police report
- The other driver did not have insurance
- The accident happened in a construction or school zone
These factors are common and can significantly alter your case’s outcome, so you will need someone who has the experience to handle these types of cases.
State minimums for insurance
The law requires each driver to carry car insurance. Many states are at-fault states, which means that the party who caused the accident is responsible for paying any damages awarded to you.
For example, policy limits in Missouri for every driver must include minimums of:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for multiple bodily injuries
- $10,000 for property damages
- Uninsured motorist coverage
Since these minimum limits are not optional, you can typically resolve financially smaller car accidents efficiently. However, if a motorist does not carry any insurance or is underinsured, this can lead to complex legalities for everyone involved.
Damages a car accident attorney can help you obtain
A personal injury claim aims to get compensation for the injured individuals. A car accident lawyer will use all of their available resources to do just that. After a crash, you may not be aware of the financial hurdles you are about to face. After a collision, the monetary damages you face can become substantial quite quickly. There are economic and non-economic damages that a lawyer will seek on your behalf.
Some damages a lawyer will pursue include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Physical impairment
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Several case factors will determine the damages you deserve. However, the potential damages vary significantly in a wrongful death case.
Can a personal injury attorney handle wrongful death claims?
Some of the most tragic collisions result in the death of a loved one. This reality means that the victim cannot speak for themselves, and they need someone to do so. Wrongful death is part of the personal injury law realm and has several other considerations.
These cases are much more complex because the lawsuit will often come on behalf of the surviving family and not the victim. The lawyer will first need to determine who may file a claim and cannot speak directly to the victim. Look for a lawyer who can handle both a car accident claim and a wrongful death claim.
Meet with a car accident lawyer today
If you are one of the millions who suffered injuries in a car accident each year, you should learn about your legal rights. The next step after seeking medical attention is to hire the best car accident lawyer for your case. There are many personal injury cases, and you must have the right attorney for your particular claim. Do not trust just any attorney who claims they have what it takes to win your case. Instead, find the best lawyer for you by doing your research.
Remember, a consultation is free, and you will not lose anything by talking to several different firms. You also do not need to sign or commit to anything during an initial consultation. Seek help from an attorney with experience handling your type of case and begin the legal process right away.