Published On: September 4, 2024
Being severely injured in a car accident is a nightmare. Suddenly, you have serious injuries. You probably can’t work, and your medical bills are sky-high. If another driver hits you, retain a car accident lawyer immediately.
A Spring Hill car accident attorney has the best chance to prove fault in the crash and maximize your compensation. Finding the best car accident lawyer near you involves the steps mentioned in this article. Have a local auto accident attorney review your case today for free.
Why Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
You may think you don’t even need a car accident attorney. It’s possible to handle your own case, and no law requires you to hire a car accident lawyer. However, auto insurance companies have an undeniable reputation for taking advantage of injured drivers and passengers without a lawyer.
You probably don’t know what your claim is worth, and few people without legal and insurance experience are skilled in legal negotiations.
In certain cases you should always hire a car accident attorney:
- You suffered a severe injury. For example, you should always have a car accident lawyer if you have head trauma, broken bones, neck injuries, or any injury that requires many weeks, months, or even years of recovery.
- You need hospitalization and/or surgery. You should never represent yourself with the insurance company if you have been hospitalized and require surgery. The daily hospital stay and surgery expenses may exceed tens of thousands of dollars.
- The other driver caused the accident. You should hire an auto accident lawyer, assuming you suffered an injury when the other driver caused the crash.
- You have a temporary or permanent disability from the car accident. For example, having nerve damage or paralysis from a car accident is a significant, expensive injury. Always have a car accident lawyer fighting for you.
- A hit-and-run driver was involved in the accident. Always seek a car accident attorney if a hit-and-run driver injured you. Receiving compensation for a severe injury will be difficult, but your attorney gives you the best chance.
On the fence about whether to hire a car accident lawyer? If you suffered an injury, you probably want a lawyer. There are several things a skilled auto accident lawyer can do:
- Skillfully handle your car accident claim: Car accident attorneys know state laws and procedural requirements for handling auto accident claims and lawsuits. Your attorney also will know the local courts and judges. It is invaluable when taking a car accident claim to court.
- Investigate the accident: Obtaining car accident compensation isn’t just about saying the other driver caused the crash; you must prove it. Your car accident attorney knows how to find the most crucial evidence to prove fault in your case. Critical evidence may include tire marks, vehicle damages, witness statements, expert testimony from an accident reconstruction expert, cell phone records (for proving distracted driving), surveillance video, vehicle black box data, and much more. They also know how to construct a convincing case based on the available evidence to prove car accident liability.
- Negotiate a settlement: No insurance company wants to pay a car accident settlement. It will attempt to deny your claim or pay as little as possible. Your auto accident attorney is highly skilled in insurance negotiations and will demand the most money for your medical bills, lost earnings, property damage, and pain and suffering.
- Determine damages: Most serious auto accident victims don’t know the full value of your claim. Your auto accident attorney does. For example, you may think you should receive payment for your medical bills today. However, you can be entitled to more compensation for future medical bills, lost earnings, loss of future income and earning ability, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more.
- Go to court: Most car accident claims are settled. But if the case goes to trial, you need an experienced litigator to give the best outcome.
- Handle the entire car accident lawsuit process: You’re seriously injured, so you don’t relish handling complex insurance and legal wrangling. Your attorney will be your constant legal advocate and handle the entire case so you can focus on healing.
The help of a skilled auto accident attorney can be all the difference between unfair and fair compensation for your losses.
Finding the Best Auto Accident Attorney
A car accident lawyer is a specific type of attorney. Their skill is in personal injury law, which involves holding the negligent party responsible for your losses.
Always hire an experienced personal injury attorney, ideally focusing on auto and truck accidents. You can find the best auto accident attorney near you by following these steps:
Experience
Many attorneys focus on a certain type of law. For example, a real estate attorney focuses on real estate and contract law. You should always hire a personal injury attorney for a car accident claim.
An auto accident attorney has many years of experience dealing with car accident claims and lawsuits. Auto and truck accident law is very specific, and you should have a lawyer with a long track record in these cases.
Also, look for an auto accident attorney with impressive records in settlements and jury verdicts. Most car accident claims end with a settlement, but your attorney may need to go to court if the insurance company doesn’t offer a high enough settlement. It’s equally important to have a car accident attorney who is comfortable in front of a jury and knows courtroom procedures.
Fees
We all know that experienced attorneys cost a lot of money. Fortunately, most car accident attorneys are paid by contingency fees, meaning you don’t pay out-of-pocket legal expenses. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of your settlement or jury award.
The percentage varies based on your attorney’s experience, when the case settles, and other factors.
Be sure to understand what your auto accident attorney charges before signing a legal agreement with them. Also, find out if you need to cover any legal expenses during the case. Many law firms handle these expenses and deduct them from the settlement, but some plaintiffs must pay for expert witness and filing fees.
Communication
You will have many questions during your case. You should look for a car accident attorney who communicates with you in a manner you are comfortable with. Some attorneys are better communicators with clients than others.
Some auto accident attorneys communicate with clients by phone, text, email, or even in person. Ensure that the attorney or the person handling your case provides regular updates so you know what is happening.
A common car accident claim complaint is when the attorney doesn’t give the client enough information in regular updates.
Respected By Peers
Find out online what other law firms say about your potential car accident attorney. You should ask the lawyer how much of their business comes from lawyer referrals – the higher the number, the better.
An attorney who receives many referrals from other lawyers means the attorney is well respected by other lawyers, enough so that they risk their reputation by offering a referral.
Your attorney should also be happy to offer past client references to showcase their auto accident settlement and lawsuit experience. Also, you should check the state bar in your state to find out if the car accident lawyer has been disciplined in previous cases.
Their Office
Many auto accidents cause severe injuries, and running the case can be expensive. You should have a car accident attorney with the staff and financial resources to handle your case, whatever it takes.
If it’s a potential seven-figure commercial truck crash case, you can bet that the employer’s insurance company will put up a fight. You should have an attorney with the resources to take a complex, expensive case through to the end.
So, you should take a hard look at the attorney’s office. A well-organized and appointed office suggests that the attorney is well-funded and running a solid business. It can be harder to trust an attorney in a low-rent office who is disorganized.
Where Can You Find the Best Car Accident Attorney?
Now you know what to look for in the best car accident lawyer, but where do you find one?
Injury victims find a skilled personal injury attorney through:
- Online searches. The car accident law firm business is highly competitive online in every city. Many people find experienced and skilled auto accident attorneys by searching Google. However, don’t assume that the law firm that comes up first is the best for your case. You should look at online reviews, such as Avvo, Google Reviews, and others, to find a car accident lawyer with an excellent record of results.
- Talk to friends and relatives: Sometimes, it’s all about who you know. Talk to your friends and family about a personal injury attorney who obtained a good result for them. You also can ask if they know lawyers and if any of them recommend the best car accident lawyer.
- Check your state bar’s website: You can also find experienced car accident attorneys on your state bar’s website. Then, you can Google the person’s name and see their record and experience.
One place you shouldn’t look for a car accident attorney is in your mailbox. Some less experienced and unskilled car accident lawyers do mass mailings to obtain clients. Few skilled attorneys rely on this type of advertising to gain clients. You want a professional, skilled car accident lawyer handling your case, not a bad lawyer or newbie.
What if You Don’t Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Opting to handle your own case (pro se) with serious car accident injuries usually has severe consequences. Most often, the injured party doesn’t obtain fair compensation for all of their losses. For instance, it’s common for the insurance company to offer a pittance in their initial settlement offer.
Imagine this scenario: You broke several bones in your arms, legs, and ribs in a car accident. You can’t work and are in the hospital for weeks. Bills are piling up, and you don’t know what to do.
Is this a situation where you would negotiate the best settlement for your case? Probably not. You will likely pounce on the first few thousand dollars the insurance company offers. The insurance provider is counting on you to be financially desperate, so you take a low offer.
Plus, your injuries can be worse than you initially thought. Maybe you’ll never walk without a limp for the rest of your life. Perhaps the nerves are damaged in your hands, and you can’t write, work, or dress yourself anymore. You may need more compensation than just the low settlement the insurance company offers.
A skilled car accident lawyer will never allow an insurance company to exploit you.
Speak to a Car Accident Attorney Now
No one wants to be injured in a severe auto accident, but it happens every day. Retaining a car accident lawyer is always recommended if you’re severely injured in a crash.
You can find a skilled auto accident attorney if you follow the steps mentioned in this article. Speak to a Spring Hill personal injury attorney today for more information in a free consultation.
