There are over 6 million car accidents each year in the US, and many of these accidents involve serious complications like bodily injury or missed work. It’s crucial to hire a lawyer after an accident, but not everybody knows how to find the best attorney.
Let’s explore why you should pursue legal services if you’ve been involved in a car accident.
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Access to Top Doctors
Interestingly, many people overlook the fact that attorneys have access to top medical professionals. Not all doctors provide the same level of care, and it’s in your best interest to work with someone you can trust.
For example, inexperienced or inattentive doctors might miss crucial information that could impact your case. Your attorney can recommend a list of professionals who can ensure your needs are met. Be sure to consider this when moving forward.
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The Other Party Has One
There’s a good chance that the other party already has a lawyer. If you don’t have them on your side, your chances of success will be particularly grim. If the other party hasn’t hired a lawyer yet, having one will put you at an advantage.
Put simply, it’s imperative to get in touch with a reputable attorney as soon as possible after an accident. This is the only way to ensure that you have a solid chance of achieving the desired outcome.
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Negotiation Skills
Attorneys are expert negotiators. They can negotiate with insurance companies, the other party’s attorney, etc. to reach a favorable decision. Attempting to negotiate on your own is never recommended, and it could even leave you in a worse position than before.
For example, negotiating without an attorney could cause you to inadvertently reveal critical information to the other party. They could then use this information against you.
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Legal Representation
Having a strong legal representative is crucial when dealing with traffic accident cases. It’s possible to pursue compensation without a lawyer.
However, there are simply too many nuances of the law that the average person is entirely unaware of. This is a course of action you should never take. Instead, search for a reputable lawyer who has the skills to present your case in front of a judge.
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Experience
Your attorney will have plenty of experience in dealing with cases like yours. It’s highly unlikely they’ll encounter situations they haven’t handled before, such as a multi car accident.
Of course, you’ll need to do your due diligence when looking for a lawyer to ensure they have the right amount of experience. Working with someone new to the industry could put the outcome of your case in jeopardy. The last thing you want is to fall short of your goals due to working with an inexperienced attorney.
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Better Results
It simply isn’t possible for you to proceed on your own and achieve the same results you would by working with an attorney. If you’re serious at all about pursuing compensation, hiring a lawyer is your only option.
Not only will you get better results, but they can also handle all of the case details for you. You can focus on other areas of your life as your case proceeds.
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Comprehensive Knowledge of Your Options
An experienced attorney can provide a detailed breakdown of your options. This allows you to choose the best course of action depending on your needs.
For instance, there may be an opportunity for guaranteed compensation and a riskier option that could provide even more money. They’ll work with you to make the right decision. Without their insight, you might overlook certain opportunities that could prevent you from coming out on top.
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Attention to Detail
Even simple accident cases have many details that could come into play. Things are often much more involved than Car A striking Car B.
For instance, was the other driver under the influence of a substance? Do they have a history of traffic citations?
Your attorney will consider dozens of different details to help sway the case in your favor. The more experienced the attorney is, the more likely they’ll notice key information that can help you.
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Insurance Company Negotiation
Dealing with an insurance company after an accident is often a nightmare.
It’s not uncommon for insurance adjusters to look for reasons why they don’t have to pay for the accident. In many situations, you’ll receive only a fraction of the money you should have.
Attorneys deal with insurance companies daily, and they know exactly how to communicate with them. As long as you can provide your attorney with sufficient information about the accident, they can leverage this to negotiate with the insurance company.
Keep in mind that you should never talk to the other person’s insurance company. They will attempt to use the statements you make against you, even if it means misrepresenting the information.
10 Peace of Mind
Finally, it’s worth considering the peace of mind a lawyer can bring. Traffic accidents are stressful enough, and dealing with the aftermath can make the situation even worse. An experienced attorney will help ensure that you minimize your stress levels and get your life back on track as soon as possible.
Finding a Lawyer
To get the best results, you’ll need to find the right lawyer. Not everybody understands what to look for when searching for this type of professional. Listed below are some of the most notable attributes you should consider.
Their Reputation
The lawyer’s reputation will play a large role when it comes to the results you get. What have past clients set about working with the attorney? Were they satisfied with their results?
This is key information to consider, as past performance is often indicative of future performance. You should also consider how the attorney responds to criticism they receive.
If they attempt to deflect blame or get aggressive with reviewers, make note of this situation. This is a red flag that you shouldn’t ignore.
Their Payment Structure
The last thing you want is to encounter financial surprises when hiring an attorney. After all, lawyers don’t come cheap, and you don’t want to get billed for things you weren’t aware of.
Some attorneys represent clients on a contingency basis. This means that the client does not have to put money down upfront before the lawyer works on the case. Instead, the attorney will take a percentage of their winnings as their compensation. The percentage they take will depend on who you work with, and it could prove to be a substantial amount.
However, there’s something to be said about being able to hire a lawyer without paying anything until you win. Other attorneys work on a conventional hourly basis.
While this sounds simple at first, you’ll need to consider how they define their billable hours. For example, your attorney might charge you for responding to emails about your case. If you weren’t aware of this, you could quickly rack up hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your bill.
Their Experience
Always choose an attorney with a notable amount of industry experience. They should also specialize in this area of law. The longer theyve been around, the better. Keep in mind that some lawyers will delegate cases to other members of the firm.
While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s something you need to figure out before you hire that firm. Ask your prospective attorney if they will be the ones working on your case.
If they choose to let another lawyer work on it, ask to meet with them beforehand. From here, you can gauge whether or not you’re comfortable with them handling your case.
Are They Communicative?
A reliable lawyer is always easy to get in touch with. They should respond promptly to questions or concerns that you have about your case.
It also shouldn’t be difficult for you to arrange your first meeting with them. Working with an uncommunicative attorney is a stressful situation that you should strive to avoid. Otherwise, you run the risk of being left in the dark while your case progresses.
Always Hire a Lawyer
After a car accident, it’s always in your best interest to hire a lawyer. They have the tools and resources required to help get you on the right track. They can also help you avoid problems you may have otherwise had to deal with.
Our blog has plenty of other lifestyle articles that can help you manage situations like these in the future. Be sure to check it out today!