Finding the Right Car Accident Lawyer

Selecting a car wreck lawyer to represent you after an automobile accident occurs is usually not something you plan for whenever you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, but it is important to know where to start if you do sustain injuries or property damages in a crash.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 34,247 motor vehicle crashes and 37,133 driving-related fatalities occurred throughout the U.S. during the 2017 year. While your chances of getting into a life-threatening crash are quite low, an accident injury attorney can help you to recover more quickly if you do sustain injuries or damages in a collision.

A lawyer can also help you maximize the amount of compensation you receive even if your vehicle becomes a “junk car.” This can make it easier for you to have enough money to purchase a new or used car in the future.

To find the right car crash lawyer after an accident occurs, it is important to do plenty of research before selecting an attorney to handle your case. Many different types of lawyers are available to assist you when you need legal representation, but the key is to find a local attorney that specializes in cases like yours. To learn more about the steps you can take to find the best lawyer for your needs, review the information below.

What can an auto accident attorney do for me?

Hiring a car accident attorney after an automobile collision occurs may be a wise choice for you if you sustained substantial injuries or property damages in a crash and wish to file a lawsuit. You may feel comfortable settling minor crashes or fender benders on your own without obtaining legal help, but professional representation may be necessary if you wish to receive compensation for your losses in the event of a fatality or life-threatening injury.

For instance, hiring an auto accident lawyer is especially important if you or a loved one was injured or killed in an incident that involved excessive speeding, a significant amount of property damages or drunk or reckless driving. A lawyer or attorney with previous experience in handling these types of cases can help you and your loved ones to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Where can I find a car accident lawyer near me?

There are several ways to find an accident attorney in the area where you live. As a starting point, you may choose to speak with your friends, family members and colleagues to see if they can offer any recommendations. Rather than selecting a lawyer based solely on recommendations, however, it is important that you take the time to meet with the attorney to judge him or her for yourself.

In addition to obtaining accident injury attorney recommendations from members of your social circle, you can find professional legal help in your area by:

• Using your State Bar Association’s website to search for referrals.
• Requesting recommendations from other attorneys you have worked with in the past.
• Obtaining referrals from members of volunteer legal organizations in your area.
• Conducting an online search and comparing client testimonials.

If you hear about a car accident injury lawyer on television, you may choose to contact the law firm to schedule a consultation and obtain additional information. However, you should not hire a legal representative to handle your case simply because of the law firm’s advertising. Instead, you must do plenty of research to determine whether the law firm is the right fit for you and your needs.

Typically, the best car accident attorney for your situation will have many years of experience in handling cases like your own, especially in the city or county where the incident took place. If you were the victim of a car crash, your attorney should also have more experience in representing plaintiffs rather than defendants.

After I find an auto accident attorney near me, what do I need to do?

Once you find a car accident lawyer in your area, you must gather several supporting documents before your first meeting with the attorney, as this information will help to support your claim. Depending on the situation, you may need to provide the attorney with the following:

• Proof of your medical bills and records
• A copy of the auto accident police report
• Documents that support your loss of income, including pay stubs and W-2 forms
• Relevant documentation from any insurance companies
• Written statements from witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident, if applicable
• Photos or videos from the scene of the accident, if available

During your initial meeting with the auto wreck attorney, you must present this information. If you cannot provide the attorney with enough information about your case, he or she may refuse to represent you.

How to Find the Best Accident Attorneys for Your Case

When meeting with motor vehicle accident lawyers for the first time, it is important to bring several interview questions along with you, as this will help you to find the best legal representative for your specific case.

A good attorney will ask you a series of questions to learn more about your involvement in the automobile accident, but you must also interview him or her to determine whether the lawyer is the right fit for your situation.

When selecting an auto accident law firm to handle your case, ask the attorney the following questions:

• Is the lawyer familiar with handling car accident cases in the city or county where you live?
• Has the attorney handled other cases like your own?
• How long has the firm been in business? How many car accident cases has the firm handled?
• How does the firm handle payments? Which payment methods do they accept?
• How long will it take the automobile accident lawyer to file your lawsuit?
• Does the firm expect anything specific from you?
• Which member of the car accident law firm will handle your case?

After receiving answers to these important questions, you may choose to hire the attorney, or you may look elsewhere if you do not feel that the lawyer is a good fit for you. Most accident injury lawyers do not charge a fee for this initial meeting, so you will not lose any money by interviewing multiple attorneys when selecting a legal representative for your case. However, it is important to verify this information before the initial consultation.