Guide to Finding Automobile Accident Lawyer

Do I Need an Automobile Accident Lawyer?

An automobile accident lawyer is a legal professional that provides legal aid to an individual after they have been involved in a car crash. An automobile accident lawyer practices in the realm of personal injury law; because of this scope, the automobile accident lawyer’s primary responsibility is filing auto accident claims in a civil court setting. This characteristic signifies an automobile accident lawyer is able to expedite the filing of claims and consistent in his/her ability to secure a settlement. These claims are introduced to a civil court to secure compensation for the recoupment of damages associated with the accident. The monies delivered in a settlement are used to offset the costs related to convalescence, repair and lost wages.

An automobile accident can be precipitated in the following of ways: negligent or reckless driving (i.e. failing to obey traffic laws) poor weather conditions, malfunctioning vehicles, distractions, or driving under the influence. If you are involved in a car accident that was precipitated by one of these variables, it is suggested you meet with an automobile accident lawyer, to file a claim and recoup the damages associated.

Due to wide variety of causes, an automobile accident lawyer may file claims against a number of entities, including: other motorists, manufacturers and jurisdictions. An automobile accident lawyer will prove valuable because these professionals understand the traffic laws of the underlying jurisdiction. Furthermore, an automobile accident attorney is experienced in determining liability through a comprehensive investigation. The crux of an automobile accident claim is the determination of fault and because of their experience with filings, an automobile accident attorney can elucidate on liability to secure a settlement.

As a result of these skills, it is essential to consult with an automobile accident attorney if you believe that your accident was precipitated by another party’s negligence or reckless behavior. If you do not consult with an automobile accident attorney you have no way of recouping all the costs associated with the accident.

How do I find an Automobile Accident Lawyer?

As stated above, if you feel as though your accident was sparked by another party’s negligent or reckless actions, you should hire an automobile accident attorney. If your accident was not severe or was not caused by another party’s actions, you will not need to file a suit or hire an automobile accident attorney.

Although not all automobile accidents will mandate the inclusion of an automobile accident attorney, consulting with these professionals is suggested if the determination of fault is somewhat ambiguous.

To find a car accident attorney you should utilize all resources, including online searches, the yellow pages, referrals from friends or family and your state’s local BAR Association website.

The Internet, given its efficiency and ability to locate automobile accident lawyers in your region, should be the first consideration. Perform searches, visit the websites of car accident law firms in your area and read message boards and review sites to gauge the experience and effectiveness of prospective automobile accident attorneys.

In addition to searches, professional organizations, such as state and local bar associations, will offer suitable referral services and will provide broad details concerning automobile accident attorneys in your area. For example, your state’s BAR Association website will list an automobile accident lawyer in your area, his or her law firm and any awards or disciplinary actions that the individual received in the past ten years.

In addition to using Internet, you should also take advantage of “referrals and word-of-mouth resources. Ask anyone you know--who has been involved in an auto accident claim—as to the legal process and their respective representative.

What should I look for in an Automobile Accident Lawyer?

When your list of prospective automobile accident attorneys is narrowed down, you must contact each one to schedule preliminary meetings or consultations. Because an automobile accident lawyer is in essence, a personal injury lawyer, the consultations will be free of cost. These preliminary meetings are vital to forecasting the case; during a consultation, an automobile accident lawyer will evaluate your claim and expunge as to the likelihood of securing a settlement. If the automobile accident attorney does not forecast a victor, he or she will not take the case.

During the consultation you must observe the automobile accident lawyer’s personality. Is he professional or careless? Does he carry himself well or does he seem unorganized? Is he affable and highly passionate or taciturn and indifferent? These questions are crucial when evaluating representation; remember, this consultation is not only a review of your prospective claim, but also a chance to review the legal professional and his or her personality.

In addition to the prospective automobile attorney’s outward personality, you must evaluate his firm and his ability to listen to your claims. You want an automobile accident attorney who is easy to contact and talk to; communication must be seamless between you and your legal aid.

Evaluating Experience and Education:

Arguably the most important measurable, when hiring an automobile accident lawyer, is the individual’s experience. Experience, regarding the claim process and traffic law, represents the individual’s grasp of the particular legal framework and his or her ability to expedite the legal process.

Furthermore, experience also yields respect; a practiced automobile accident lawyer will have professional relationships with judges, state officials and other attorneys--these characteristics increase the likelihood of securing a settlement.

An automobile accident lawyer’s educational background is important, but a factor that should not influence your hiring decision. The automobile accident lawyer’s personality, your ability to converse with him or her, and experience should trump the individual’s educational background.

Automobile Accident Lawyer Fees:

Similar to all personal injury attorneys, an automobile accident lawyer will operate under a contingency pay schedule. This structure simply means that a client will not pay an automobile accident attorney unless a favorable settlement is reached. If a settlement is secured, the automobile accident attorney will take a percentage of the total settlement amount. If a settlement is not reached, the automobile accident lawyer will not be paid. This pay structure; however, will vary from lawyer to lawyer—some automobile accident lawyers may charge a retainer fee that necessitates an upfront cost.

Questions for your Automobile Accident Lawyer:

• Will my expected settlement cover all the costs I endured, including those lost from psychological distress?

• Are you experienced in handling matters similar to this situation?

• How many automobile accident claims do you file per year?

• Will this affect my car insurance premiums?

• What are the odds of winning my settlement?

• How much are court costs and fees associated with my filing?

Auto accident lawyers can help you navigate the otherwise difficult process of filing claims and receiving damages, usually through settlement. When meeting with auto accident lawyers, be sure to collect relevant information such as police reports and your account of the accident. Hopefully you have not already admitted liability and have only spoken to the police. With this information, an auto accident lawyer can help you build your case. The majority of auto accident cases are settled out of court so it is important to find an auto accident injury lawyer who will work on a percentage contingency fee. The percentage fee gives auto accidents lawyers better incentive to win a greater fee for the client, ensuring that they too will receive a better return on their fees.

When meeting auto accident injury lawyers, ensure that you also bring medical reports detailing your injuries. The auto accident injury lawyer will need to prove that these injuries are a result of the accident and not a preexisting condition, so your medical history is also an important piece of information. Remember that if you have admitted fault at any point to the other party or authorities, no auto accident injury lawyer will be able to help you obtain a reasonable settlement.

As settlements are an important part of auto accident law, you may be able to negotiate a lower fee with the auto accident injury lawyer for settling out of court. After all, this saves the time of the auto accident injury lawyer and ensures that he does not have to spend an indefinite amount of time going through the motions necessary for trial litigation. Negotiating a lower contingency fee percentage with auto accidents lawyers is always an option, so feel free to consult with multiple lawyers for an advantageous fee or settlement fee provisions. Judge the effectiveness of an auto accident injury lawyer not just on the amount of settlements, but also on merit, with considerations for professionalism, ease of communication and experience. These factors combined will help you chose among the many auto accident injury lawyers.

You may also need to evaluate trial experience when dealing with auto accident injury lawyers. Some parties may be especially contentious and unwilling to settle. During these instances, a lawyer with trial experience will be exceptionally useful if the case must proceed to litigation. In the event you are defending against an auto accident claim, a lawyer with trial experience can also be of use by dissuading the party bringing suit from pursuing litigation and accepting reasonable settlement offers.