Car accidents are among the most common types of personal injury claims, that’s fairly unsurprising to most people. After all, even minor car accidents can leave victims with serious injuries and expenses. 

Thankfully, the law entitles car accident victims to pursue compensation. That being said, you don’t want to move forward alone. It is important to work with an experienced attorney, they can help you navigate the complex, and often confusing, legal process.

When Should I Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

One of the most important things you can do after being involved in a car accident is to call an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you secure legal representation, the more likely it is that your right to compensation will be protected.  Aside from receiving any necessary medical care, your next priority should be to meet with an attorney to discuss your case. But how do you find a good lawyer?

What to Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer

Finding the right car accident lawyer for your claim can sound stressful. However, this crucial task can generally be approached like hiring any other professional. Here are four things to look for when hiring a car accident attorney. 

What Are the Qualities of the Best Car Accident Lawyer?

Experience in the Type of Law You Need Help With

Is the attorney experienced? What type of law are they experienced in? You need a personal injury lawyer if you have been in a car accident. Finding an attorney near you who was great at getting your friend through a divorce or helping your parents plan their estate isn’t likely going to help your car accident claim much. While they may be effective, professional attorneys, they aren’t experienced in the type of law you need help with. Make sure you hire someone who has experience representing car accident victims.  

Litigation Experience

You will want to hire an attorney who also has litigation experience, one who isn’t afraid to take your claim to trial if it becomes necessary. Plenty of law firms are simply settlement mills, taking on every case they can, knowing they will settle it and move on to the next client. You want a lawyer who is committed to doing what is best for you. In some cases, doing what is best means refusing to settle and instead going to trial.  

Proven Track Record

Does the attorney have a proven track record of obtaining compensation for their clients—either through a negotiated settlement or a court award? While past results are no promise of their future performance, they can give some insight into how your case might end. For example, you want to hire a car accident lawyer with experience getting car accident victims what they deserve for their damages.

Good Communication

There are many outstanding lawyers out there; however, some are severely lacking in the communication department. They forget that they are representing real people with real issues and injuries. Clients call or email to ask for updates; they simply don’t respond or take weeks to respond. No one wants to be ignored during this stressful time of life. You deserve an attorney who will address your questions and concerns in a timely manner. When you meet with a potential attorney, ask them how they handle client communication. Will you be able to speak directly with them? Or will you speak with a receptionist or a paralegal? 

Good Standing and Reputation

It’s also essential to ensure that the attorney you want to hire has a good standing and positive reputation. You can check your local state bar organization to ensure their license hasn’t been suspended and they aren’t facing any type of disciplinary action from the state bar. You can also check with other reputable organizations and their peers to determine the attorney’s reputation. Online reviews from previous clients are also a good resource. If necessary, ask the attorney for recommendations. If they want your business, they should be willing to show you their reviews and why you should hire them.  

Is It Worth Getting a Car Accident Lawyer?

Far too many injured car accident victims shy away from seeking legal help. They think they can do it themselves, that car accident lawyer fees are too high, that they don’t have the money to pay for them upfront, or that having legal representation for a car accident doesn’t make any difference. However, legal representation can make a substantial difference in your claim.  

Even better, most offer free consultations. So, you can meet with them, then find out if you have a valid claim. Most car accident attorneys work on contingency fees only if you decide to hire them. This means you don’t pay them anything to get your case started or during the duration of your case. Once your case is over, they get paid out of any monies they obtain on your behalf. If they don’t obtain any, you don’t owe them anything. Many car accident victims receive more compensation with a lawyer than they would without one, even after the attorney has taken out their fees and services. 

Ready to Call a Car Accident Lawyer?

Are you ready to call a car accident lawyer? 

We make it easy for you. Simply call 1-800-THE-LAW2 or fill out our convenient online form. You’ll be connected to a qualified lawyer within 10 minutes.  During this free consultation, you can discuss your car accident claim, and our lawyer will answer any questions you might have.

This article covers what to bring to and how to prepare for a car accident lawyer free consultation.

If you have injuries from a car accident, chances are you’re feeling a bit confused, and possibly overwhelmed by the situation. After all, a serious collision can cause injuries that are not only going to impact your day-to-day life, but that also have an impact on your ability to earn an income. To top it off, navigating through insurance hurdles, paperwork organization, and possible settlement negotiations can be a lot for someone trying to heal and recover after an accident. 

An attorney can help you move forward. They can advocate on your behalf, do all the “dirty work,” and let you focus on your own healing. Ready to get connected?  Call 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. 

This article can help you to answer these questions:

• What should I expect at a free consultation with an accident lawyer?
• What is included in a free consultation with a lawyer?
• Are lawyer consultations confidential?
• What questions should I ask at an initial lawyer consultation?
• Which documents should I bring with me to the initial consultation?
• Can lawyers give free legal advice during the consultation?

What Should I Expect at a Free Consultation With an Accident Lawyer? 

The initial attorney consultation can either be in person or over the phone. We find that phone consultations can be an excellent starting point, as it lets you familiarize yourself with how the attorney is likely to communicate with you over the course of representation. After all, much of the communication will occur over a distance. So, seeing how well your accident lawyer communicates over-the-phone is crucial. 

What Is Included in a Free Consultation With a Lawyer?

During the consultation, the attorney will listen to your story and will ask lots of clarifying questions. Provide all the necessary details to fully explain the incident. After hearing your story and asking questions, the attorney will evaluate your claim and let you know if they will be able to assist you.  They may even provide a projected estimate of how much the case is worth. Attorneys are not superheroes. If they promise you all sorts of guarantees, that often means they are not reputable.

Are Lawyer Consultations Confidential?

Consultations are fully confidential, so nothing you say in the meeting will leave the conversation. You can and should be completely honest.

What Questions Should I Ask at a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Lawyer? 

A free consultation provides you with an opportunity to interview a potential lawyer, too. Ask lots of questions, you want to feel comfortable with your choice. Following is a list of examples of questions to ask the accident attorney during your free initial legal consultation.

Some Questions to Ask a Potential Car Accident Attorney 

• Do you specialize in car accidents?  What do you specialize in? 
• How long have you been an attorney?  
• Where did you study? 
• How many cases like mine have you handled? 
• What are the results you’ve had with similar cases? 
• How long will it take to resolve my case? 
• How much could I recover in compensation? 
• What is your contingency fee arrangement like? 

Be prepared and ready with a list of questions you would like to ask a prospective lawyer. Once you have answers, you can evaluate if this attorney is the right fit for you and your specific situation.  

What Should I Bring With Me to a Free Car Accident Consultation? 

It’s important to be prepared, meaning: know what to bring and have all pertinent documents and information an attorney will need to begin working on your case. If you aren’t prepared and need to know what to do to help your case, that’s okay too. Your attorney will let you know what they need after the consultation. 

If you can get the documentation you need beforehand, it makes the consultation more detailed and more useful.

What Should I Take to a Lawyer?

If you can, here is a list of the documentation and items that you should bring with you to a free consultation: 

• Identification such as driver’s license and social security card.  
• Insurance information including your insurance card, agent contact information, insurance policy, and any documentation you have received from your insurance company.  
• A police report from the scene of the accident is necessary as it may help the attorney identify who was at fault for the accident. You should have been provided a copy of the report from the police, but if you were not given a copy, contact the police department that filed the report.  
• Doctors’ bills, receipts, and reports will help the lawyer assess the extent of injury, damages, pain, and suffering caused by the accident.  
• Other driver’s information, such as contact information, driver’s license, and insurance information. 
• Witness statements and/or witness contact information is pertinent and will help to determine fault.  
• Estimates or bills for vehicle repairs which will help the attorney assess the amount of property damage caused by the accident.  
• Proof of wage loss, including a list of missed days or hours of work, and any relevant pay stubs or a W-2. 
• Photos of the accident, of damage to vehicles, and of injuries will be helpful to assess the property damage and personal injury.  
• Camera footage if available. Sometimes, people video at the scene of an accident, or security cameras may capture an incident.  
• Written summary of what happened – take some time to jot down details of what you remember. 
• List of pertinent questions for the attorney. 
• Any emails or text messages relating to the accident. 

Can Lawyers Give Free Legal Advice During the Consultation?

Possibly. Something to take notes with is on our list of top items to bring to your initial legal consultation. It is wise to take notes during your meeting, the attorney may offer free legal advice and recommendations. Being prepared with the correct documentation at your free consultation helps things go smoothly, and it sets your legal case up for success. Not only will the initial consultation alleviate the stress and anxiety involved in managing the aftermath of a car accident, but if you end up hiring the attorney you meet, you will be on your way to living your best life again, mentally, physically, and financially.  

Find a Car Accident Lawyer to Help Your Case

If you are the victim of a traumatic vehicle collision and have injuries or losses due to someone else’s negligence while driving, it is wise to seek the counsel of a caring, experienced car accident attorney.

Call 1-800-THE-LAW2 to connect to the best car accident lawyer for your case. Consultation is free and confidential, so don’t hesitate!

Topics covered in this article: How a car accident settlement works. How to get the most out of your settlement. Car accident settlement examples. How to find a car accident attorney near you.

Have you suffered an injury in a car accident? 

If so, chances are that you’re a bit confused, and even overwhelmed, by the prospect of a lawsuit.  Litigation is complicated, of course, and it isn’t always clear what you have to do to obtain the compensation you deserve. 

Sometimes your losses may be particularly substantial. These may include wage loss, medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and more. You may wonder: what if I sue the defendant, and lose? 

Fortunately, most car accident disputes in America are not resolved in a win-lose court case scenario.  Most in fact, the large majority estimated at 95 percent or more, legal cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement. This avoids the uncertainty and fear of a failed lawsuit. Curious? Read on to learn more about car accident settlement basics. 

How a Car Accident Settlement Works

So, 95+ percent of car accident disputes are resolved through a settlement. That may seem like a lot, and it is! But, the statistic begs the question: why are most car accident disputes concluded through settlement, and not courtroom litigation? 

See, litigation is uncertain, expensive, time-consuming, and exhausting. Most parties would rather avoid an extended court case. Parties may think it preferable to settle the case in three months, for example, then to win the case after two years of a expensive, hard-fought courtroom litigation. Perhaps most importantly, success is never guaranteed. 

This uncertainty lies at the heart of every dispute. Suppose that you have a favorable legal claim, and you have a roughly 70 percent chance of winning your case if you move ahead to trial. That percentage may not be enough, however. There’s still a good chance that your case won’t succeed. And even if it does, the court may not award all the damages that you’re seeking. 

Settlement is so common because parties would rather avoid rolling the dice of the dispute. A certain, “fair” amount is preferable to the uncertainty of a trial. It’s the difference between accepting a $70,000 payout for your car accident claims, and rolling the dice on the possibility of securing $100,000 (with a chance that you’ll receive absolutely nothing). 

How Do I Get the Most Out of My Settlement?

Now we know why settlement is so common. But, how can you maximize the settlement offers that you receive from the defendant? Generally speaking, you maximize settlement offers by introducing evidence and legal arguments that:

1. increase the likelihood that you would “win” your case at trial, and
2. increase the likelihood that the court would award you the claimed damages. 

This may seem confusing, so let’s use an example to clarify. 

Car Accident Settlement Examples

Suppose that you are injured in a car accident. You sustain serious back injuries, and believe that you have a $100,000 claim. After suing the defendant, you enter into settlement negotiations with them. Thanks to extensive evidence, and an airtight legal argument, you have a 90 percent chance of “winning” your case at trial. Also, your damages are fully supported by the evidence, there is no room for debate there. Under these circumstances, your settlement offers are likely to hover around $90,000, or 90 percent of the claim, reflecting the “risk” of taking the case to trial. 

Now, suppose that the percentages are different. Perhaps the case is complicated, and the evidence scant. There is only a 50 percent chance that you win the case if it were to move ahead to trial. The damages are also believed to be exaggerated, and there’s a 50 percent chance that you would be awarded $100,000 even if you won the case. Under these circumstances, your settlement offers are likely to hover around $25,000, or 25 percent of the claim, again reflecting the “risk” of taking the case to trial. 

Call 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Car Accident Lawyer Free Consultation 

If you were hurt in a car accident, then the law may entitle you to compensation. However, a legal dispute doesn’t always play out like a movie or tv show. In fact, most cases are resolved through settlement. 

Settlement negotiations can be complex. Securing maximum compensation is the goal of any attorney, but it isn’t always straightforward. To improve the likelihood of a favorable result, you’ll want to work with an experienced car accident attorney who understands how to persuasively advocate on your behalf. 

Call us at 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free consultation with an experienced network auto accident attorneys. We’ll get you connected in just 10 minutes or less to an accident atto who can help you move forward with your case.