Guide to Finding California Car Accident Lawyer

How do I find a California car accident lawyer?
When on is involved in an auto accident, there is a good chance that the case will have to be settled in the legal system. For individuals that have been in an accident in California, a California car accident lawyer can help guide victims through the complicated California laws to a settlement or to court if necessary. If one is being sued as a result of the auto accident, a California car accident lawyer can help disprove and defend against the claim based on the circumstance of the accident and statements made by both parties.

What to tell your attorney
You should never, under any circumstances flee the scene of an accident. It is not only illegal but a possible admission of guilt. Additionally, even if you may be at fault, never admit liability. You will never know the full details of an accident at the time and you may actually not be at fault. Most California car accident lawyers will advise you against making unnecessary statements as even truthful statements can be misconstrued and used to hamper your case. Only make police statements and even then, limit those statements to only the necessary information to provide the police with adequate information.
You must note any injuries and medical care you had to seek as well as any statements you have made to the police. This will help the accident lawyer to shape the case and prepare an acceptable claim to be filed in court. Photograph the scene of the accident, if possible for use as evidence.

Where to look for an attorney
The State Bar directory should be your primary source for seeking an accident attorney. This will give you the best range of choices and you are almost guaranteed that members of the State Bar adhere to ethics codes and are up-to-date on legal matters concerning their specialty. The California Bar does not maintain a lawyer referral service, but will provide a listing of trust referral services for use by the public. The California Bar Association also maintains a specialized section for accident lawyers, so finding a lawyer that is a member of that section will be in your best interest. Following that, you should consult other lawyers. You may seek referrals and indeed many lawyers only work through referrals from other legal professionals. Incessant advertising and soliciting are generally poor indicators of law firm success.
You may use this website to find an attorney. To do so, use the search box on top of all pages. You may also compare attorneys and ask free questions by clicking Find Attorneys on top of the page.

Do I need a specialist?
A California auto accident lawyer will be experienced and best able to deal with the details of your case. You will not know how laws about liability, vehicle operation and accident fault will apply to your case, especially if these laws differ from other states. You must consult with a California auto accident lawyer to get the most accurate case evaluation, which will lead to a better understanding of your legal options.

Preparing for an appointment.
You must bring police, medical and insurance documents related to the accident to the appointment. This is so the California car accident attorney will be able to determine the claims to be made. Be sure to ask questions if you do not understand something the lawyer has said especially on the procedural matters of the case.
It is the duty of the lawyer to make the case as uncomplicated as possible, but it is also the duty of the client to understand the process. You should have seen a doctor after the accident. There may have been undetectable injuries sustained during the accident, as well as the fact that you will need a medical report for the purposes of making a claim.

Evaluating Experience & Education
All lawyers must have a degree from an accredited law school and pass the state bar exam. Lawyers that do so are allowed to practice law in that jurisdiction. Those are the most basic benchmarks for evaluating a lawyer, although there will be mitigating factors such as trial experience, size of settlements and professional respect that determine the best lawyers.
Advertising and name recognition are not always hallmarks of good lawyers and should never be used when evaluating an attorney. There will be ranking systems such as Super Lawyers that offer a better and more objective measure of the best California auto accident lawyers.

Personality & Values
A lawyer’s integrity is the key to determining how your case will proceed. Although the lawyer has a clear interest in winning your case, not all lawyers approach clients and their litigation in the same way. Large firms may be successful and have hundreds of clients but may not be able to provide the level of personal interaction and attention that will make you feel at ease about your claim. In this case, you may want to consider retaining a smaller firm that will give you peace of mind.Communication is also important to maintaining a solid client-retainer relationship. Many accident lawyers will give you a direct number to reach them at if you have any questions or concerns about your case. If an attorney makes it difficult to talk or meet with him, you may want to reconsider your decision as a lack of communication may jeopardize your settlement.
For most jurisdictions, lawyers must pass ethics examinations and abide by an ethics code set by the bar association. Still, you must be vigilant when dealing with some lawyers that lack a solid record of integrity and ensure that your dealings with them are fair and transparent. Be aware of unreasonable fees, illegal activity or coercion on the part of the California car accident lawyer. The California Bar Association maintains dispute resolution and grievance services for clients that have issues with their California auto accident attorney.

Rates, Fees & Retainers
Various fees are accrued when consulting and retaining a lawyer. It is important to be aware of these fees. Hourly rates are rare in accident litigation, but still possible. You should be able to get all fees in writing from a reputable attorney.
A contingency fee is a percentage of the award that the California car accident lawyer is entitled to claim if they win the case. Nearly all accident lawyers accept cases on this basis and the fee can range from 33-40% of the award. This fee is sometimes (but not always) lower when the case is settled out of court, as it saves the lawyer’s time. These fees are generally non-negotiable unless regulated by law or accompanying a case with the possibility of a substantial award.
A retainer fee is a non-refundable advance payment by the client that covers the cost of services provided by the lawyer. This is held in a trust account and is refilled at the discretion of the lawyer. The use of a retainer can cause the costs of the case to skyrocket so ensure that you and your California auto accident lawyer discuss this arrangement at length.
A referral fee can be charged by some attorneys that do not take accident cases but do know another attorney at another firm with that specialty. This does not increase the fees that the client must pay, but is merely an agreement between two attorneys to share the award. The State Bar usually requires the approval and disclosure of this agreement to the client. An attorney that has been referred has the best incentive to win the case and indeed some of the best lawyers only accept referrals. Bisnar and Chase, two top California auto accident lawyers paid nearly 2 million in 2009 for referrals on accident cases, making this beneficial arrangement a means by which the client may find the best California auto accident lawyer.
Free services may be available to low-income families as well as no-cost consultations. Some insurance plans will cover the cost of attorneys in accident liability cases.

Interviewing your attorney
The following questions are important when interviewing your attorney:
- In your opinion, am I liable in this case?
- What is the possibility that we can settle out of court?
- Do you accept a lower contingency fee for out of court settlements?
- What fees do I pay for retaining services? Can I have that in writing?
- What percentage of the award will you collect?
- Can I contact you directly if there is a problem?
- Can you allow me to examine your credentials?
- What is your experience with accident law, specifically my circumstances?
- If you cannot handle my case, can you refer me to a lawyer that can?