How do I find a Car Accident ATtorney?
So you’ve been in a car accident and sustained injuries and damages. Some individuals advise you to contact a lawyer immediately soon, while others believe it is unnecessary.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company is difficult to work with and refuses to pay you the amount you’ve requested for your damages. You realize you’ll almost certainly need the assistance of a skilled car accident attorney, but you have a lot of concerns regarding legal counsel.
The following are just a few of the numerous questions you may have after you’ve determined that you’ll almost certainly need a car accident lawyer.
IS A LAWYER NECESSARY FOR MY CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM?
First, we’ll state unequivocally that no lawyer is required to submit an insurance claim or even a personal injury case. The law never requires a person to have legal counsel, and you may always represent yourself. However, doing so isn’t always a smart idea.
Insurance companies often hire and train adjusters and attorneys to defend their interests from car accident victims since personal injury lawsuits may be unexpectedly protracted and complex. Yes, major insurance companies and their legal teams want to protect their bottom lines from individuals who have been injured and have suffered significant losses!
While it may seem hard to believe, filing a car accident claim will teach you that insurance companies play hardball with wounded claimants, and it’s in your best interests to choose a lawyer who won’t hesitate to play hardball back.
If another motorist is to blame for your accident and injuries, that driver’s insurance company will appoint an adjuster and maybe a lawyer to handle and defend your claim. This means you may have to work with a variety of specialists whose purpose is to settle your claim for as little money as possible and who use a variety of strategies to accomplish it.
Having an expert car accident lawyer on your side evens out the odds. In summary, if you’ve ever had difficulty with an insurance provider, it’s a clue that hiring an attorney will be critical in your case.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE TO ASSIST ME?
Many so-called lawyer referral services abound throughout the United States, claiming to assist car accident victims like you locate appropriate legal counsel. While some are trustworthy and may even be endorsed by a state bar, others are not always looking out for the best interests of car accident victims.
In particular, lawyer referral firms that advertise excessively on radio or television may not be the greatest option. These services often charge attorneys money to be members of their referral network, and they do not choose lawyers based on their expertise or competence. These businesses often collaborate with chiropractors or other medical professionals who perform treatments and collect money from your settlement. You’ll probably have nothing left over after paying your attorney and the suggested provider for your other losses.
When you contact one of these agencies, you may feel as though you are swiftly losing control of your case and your future. Many of the experts in these networks are more concerned with their own (and one other’s) interests than with the needs of their car accident customers. It’s usually a better idea to conduct your research and choose a lawyer— as well as your medical providers—based on your gut feelings.
HOW DO I KNOW I’VE FOUND THE RIGHT CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER?
When you decide to hunt for a car accident lawyer, you will soon discover how many possibilities are available. You may uncover several possibilities for personal injury law companies by talking to friends or doing a Google search. How do you know you’ve discovered the right one for you?
First, don’t hire a lawyer only based on a billboard, television, or radio commercial since these promotions provide no real insight into the lawyer’s competence. You shouldn’t even choose an attorney based on the appearance of his or her website.
A prominent ad or a flashy website may be purchased by anybody, but it says nothing about the lawyer’s expertise, approach, or values. You want to know how a law firm will handle your case in detail, such as if they will pressure you to settle early (i.e., whether they are a “settlement mill”) and whether you will be working with an attorney or their paralegals and support personnel.
Online resources, such as legal directories are excellent for discovering actual information. Check out Avvo for customer reviews, check whether the business has received any honors for personal injury leadership, and more. People in the community are likely to have posted evaluations about the company, and these reviews may reveal a lot. You should also phone the legal firm personally and ask the questions on your list. This might help you determine a lawyer’s experience, skill, and other factors. While you can never be certain you have the finest lawyer for a car accident claim, you should feel secure in your pick before signing a contract.
WHAT CAN A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY HELP ME WITH?
After a car accident, you may find yourself in a dangerous scenario. As you see your expenses mount up, you may have major injuries to cope with. You need assistance getting back on your feet, but you’re not sure what kind of assistance a lawyer can give. The following are just a few examples of what an car accident lawyer may do for you:
Determine which parties should be held accountable for your damages (this can be more than one party)
Determine the total amount of your losses.
File a claim with the at-fault driver’s or firm’s insurance carrier.
Handle every aspect of your insurance claim, including speaking with adjusters and submitting any paperwork.
Ask for the deal you deserve by negotiating. Bring a personal injury lawsuit and manage it. Describe the law that applies to your situation.
Respond to any questions you may have regarding the judicial system. Represent you in court and settlement discussions.
Overall, the most important thing your lawyer can do for you is a fight for your rights throughout your case. Whether on the phone with an insurance adjuster or in front of a jury in court, your lawyer will fight for your rights and ensure that you achieve the best possible resolution in your case. You won’t have to battle for your rights when you have the appropriate attorney on your side.
HOW MUCH DOES A CONSULTATION WITH A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER COST?
Potential clients may always get a FREE case review from Warrior, Attorney at Law. We will listen to what occurred to you, answer your questions, and let you know whether we feel you have a case – all for free. We understand that you don’t need any more stress, whether emotional or financial. That is why you will never be charged a DIME to chat with us, and our consultations are always free of charge. You may learn about other options for your case without spending any money and then decide whether or not to employ an attorney from our company.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE FUNDS TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?
The majority of personal injury lawyers, including Warrior and all of our lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. This implies that a lawyer will not be paid for their services unless and until they are successful in recovering money for you.
Most personal injury lawyers won’t ask for a fee upfront, and many will even cover the expenses of your case in advance, so you won’t have to pay anything until you get your payout.
The amount a lawyer may charge on a contingency fee basis is regulated by state law. Furthermore, all costs, including contingency payments, must be fair about the service accomplished, according to the ethical principles. A contingency fee is usually calculated as a percentage of the final settlement. The lawyer does not get a contingency fee if you do not receive a settlement or award.
As a contingency fee, various attorneys charge varying percentages of a settlement. These percentages often range from 30 to 45 percent, with the industry norm around 33 to 40%. This implies that if you get a $30,000 settlement, the lawyer may receive $10,000 as a fee. If your case is handled via an insurance claim, the percentages may be lower, but the percentages will almost certainly be greater if your case goes to court.
When it comes to contingency fees, there are two key advantages for clients:
You don’t need a lot of cash to engage a lawyer to assist you. You may be worried about money after a car accident, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the legal support you need for your car accident claim.
A contingency fee matches your interests with the interests of your attorney. If your lawyer doesn’t get paid for you, they don’t get paid. Therefore you’re working toward the same objective.
DO I NEED TO CALL A LAWYER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE MY INJURIES ARE SO SERIOUS?
Even if you are aware that you need the services of a lawyer, doing research and making phone calls to several legal firms may seem to be a difficult undertaking. You already go to your doctor’s visits, physical therapy and pick up your medicines regularly. Your injuries may be so taxing that you cannot work because of your agony. You spend most of your time trying to get back on your feet and figuring out how to pay your debts. Adding anything extra to your to-do list is the last thing you want to do.
Furthermore, phoning a legal firm for the first time might be scary if you’ve never dealt with one before. You should be aware that car accident attorneys make their living by assisting individuals just like you, and you should never be afraid to contact a law company because you believe they will be harsh or condescending. If a legal company responds in this manner, keep looking until you find the proper firm that will treat you with the respect you deserve.
It might be difficult to take the initial step and engage an attorney despite this. However, you must keep in mind that time is of the utmost in this circumstance. The law establishes time constraints for initiating a legal claim after an car accident. Each state has its statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and if you miss the deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to compensation. In Colorado, personal injury cases have a two-year statute of limitations, which is not a lot of time. Act immediately if you know you need a lawyer.