While a car accident itself is scary enough, the aftermath is often the most challenging part of the ordeal. We aren’t just talking about injuries, either. The hours and hours spent fighting with insurance companies, the opposing party’s legal advisors, and more can feel like a full-time job. Then the medical bills pile up faster than you imagined were possible. But, a car accident lawyer is now on your radar – you know you need help, and you need it fast!
Having a trusted advocate working for you and your future is a big deal and a decision you shouldn’t take lightly. After all, you must get the compensation that is owed to you to financially recover from the medical bills, all your missed work, and the damage done to your vehicle. And what about all the pain and suffering that you have had to deal with?
Where do you start? How do you know who a good lawyer is, and how do you find one you can trust to take care of you and your family when it matters most? First, let’s look at some of the best ways to spot a car accident lawyer that you will want fighting for you.
What to Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident lawyer is also known as a personal injury attorney. If you search on the internet for personal injury attorneys in your area, there will be pages and pages of listed lawyers professing to be the one for you.
You need to know what to look for as you meet with different attorney teams so that you can quickly decide on the best option for you and your situation. You must get this right.
1. What Kind of Experience Do They Have?
Attorneys are a little like doctors in that they each specialize in a few specific things or types of cases. Some will be interested in handling medical malpractice suits, others want to fight large corporations, and still, others want to be an advocate for those injured in car accidents.
You want someone that knows how to handle car accident cases like yours and someone that has had years of experience doing it. Look for someone who doesn’t always just settle their cases and isn’t afraid to go to trial if needed. Your lawyer should have a history of obtaining great settlements and judgments in court for their clients. You need someone that will be successful and knows how to get you the compensation you deserve.
2. What Do They Charge?
We all know that attorneys are not cheap. Therefore, you want to be sure that the attorney you hire will not require money until you get either your settlement or judgment. You’ll find that most car accident lawyers will need a percentage of your final settlement or judgment amount as payment. This percentage will be higher if your lawsuit ends up going to court.
Make sure you read the lawyer’s price or fee contract so that you know what you will be required to pay when all is said and done. The worst thing that could happen is that you don’t understand what will be owed to your attorney in the end and what you will be responsible for paying. There may be some small fees like filing fees, etc., that could be involved as well. Be sure you understand the entire cost contract and ask questions if you are not clear on something.
3. What Communication Can You Expect?
One of the most important aspects of hiring an attorney is knowing what kind of communication you can expect to have over the course of your personal injury claim. For example, will you have access to your attorney, or will you always be stuck talking to their assistant? How fast can you expect an answer if you have questions, and how should you expect to receive that answer? Will your attorney be communicating by phone, text, email, or primarily in person? How often will you receive updates on your case?
Pay close attention to how the attorney speaks to you and explains your case and how it will go during your consultation. For example, do they only use big legal words, or do they make sure you know what they’re talking about by patiently explaining in detail what is happening in layman’s terms?
As funny as it might sound, it’s essential to know how your case is proceeding at all times. If you’re constantly confused about what is going on, it could tamper with the success of your case.
4. What Is Their Office Like?
Checking out a lawyer’s office can tell you a lot about them. First, it will show you how busy they are by seeing how many staff are there. You’ll be able to see if the environment is professional and well organized and if you seem to get along with the frontline employees. These are the staff members you will most likely be talking with as your case moves along.
Be sure that you feel comfortable and get a good vibe when you are there. This alone can give you the confidence you need to decide between attorneys to handle your case.
A Legal Team That Marks All the Boxes
Wormington & Bollinger truly has it all, the experience you long for, costs that are plain and simple without any hidden fees, communication that you can count on, and a professional office and staff that you will love. We strive to be the best because we know that is what your case requires.
Let Wormington & Bollinger be your car accident lawyer and help you from the beginning so that you can concentrate on healing your body and mind. We’ll take care of the rest. Don’t allow small mistakes with the insurance companies or other legal teams to compromise your chances for a significant settlement. Call us today for answers to your questions and get started with our fantastic team.