Don’t go it alone
While you may be knowledgeable in many areas of life, you may not know all the laws governing traffic accidents. When you are injured or a family member is injured in an accident, you will have too many emotions and pain to navigate all the ins and outs of traffic law.
Insurance companies can be brutal as well. That is why you cannot go it alone when you are involved in a traffic accident and are injured. You need someone fighting for your rights and a good car accident lawyer is the person to hire.
The trick is finding the best car accident, lawyer. Keep reading to find out what these experts can do for you and your family.
What does a car accident lawyer do?
One of the first things a good car accident lawyer does for you saves you a lot of headaches. He or she will take over for you and handle the following issues connected to your accident.
investigate the crash- they will look at the cause, collect evidence, determine the seriousness of your injuries and figure out what damages you are entitled to
value your claim- this is done by figuring out how much medical treatment you will need at the moment as well as in the future. They also calculate lost wages, pain & suffering and other expenses
handle negotiations- insurance companies are tough to work with, even your own. The lawyer will handle your negotiations and employ different strategies to defeat the arguments of those companies.
litigate your case- when all other options fail, your lawyer will file a lawsuit before the statute of limitation deadline arrives and handle the trial for you.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
1. General help
These lawyers do all the work for you. All you have to do is get better. They have investigators they hire, talk to medical experts about your case and make sure there is evidence protecting your rights and proving the negligence of the other driver.
They handle all the tough aspects of your accident that you are not qualified to handle. They know what to look for, how to deal with insurance companies, and so on. They will have a clear head and can analyze all data objectively in order to help you get the best settlement possible.
2. Statute of Limitations
Plus, they know all the statutes of limitations and which ones will apply to your case. Generally, you have 2 years to file in most states when there is injury or death involved. If you are looking to file a lawsuit for damage to y9our vehicle you may get up to 3 years.
However, you can get an exception to the time limits imposed by all states but only if you know what those exceptions are and how they apply to your accident. A good car accident lawyer will know these exceptions and how they will apply to your situation.
This is why you need competent representation. You will get the best deal possible if you hire the right attorneys. Also, the statute of limitations only applies to lawsuits. It does not apply to insurance claims.
That is an important point a good lawyer will know about and be able to explain to you how it works.
What to look for when searching for a qualified car accident lawyer
Here are the key areas you need to look for in your search. These guidelines should help you filter out the lesser options and leave you with a list of top-quality attorneys that can handle your case:
Experience- this is not just having car accident litigation as a part of their practice. It also includes trial experience in case your situation goes to trial. These lawyers will know the different laws governing traffic accidents and injuries
A successful track record- in other words, you want someone who wins most of their cases or negotiates successfully with insurance companies
Availability- if they are too busy they may not have time to handle the details of your case properly. Nor will they have time to communicate with you and keep you up to date. The lawyer you select should have time for you
Good communication- they stay in contact with you and let you know what is happening. Also, they will answer your questions as well as explain all the details to you in a way that you understand
How to find a good car accident lawyer
There are several steps to follow that put you in touch with a good lawyer that can help you with this problem.
1. Location- while states have many laws governing traffic accidents, these laws may also vary from county to county, city to city. You need to look for a good lawyer that knows the specific laws in the city and county you live in.
2. Law directories- you can find these online these days and they will help you find a good lawyer that meets the criteria above and be near you. Some of these directories will provide years of experience and reviews of their work
3. Ask the tough questions- here are a few questions you can ask to help you filter out the lesser lawyers:
Who will personally manage my case?
How long have you practiced car accident law?
How would you approach my situation?
What types of cases have you handled that are similar to mine?
How much do you charge?
As for the last question, most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. They do not get paid unless you get paid. if they don’t waive their fees if you lose, move on to the next name on your list.
That instruction will apply if the lawyer is asking for a deposit upfront. The contingency fee will be applied differently as each lawyer has their own standard to guide how they charge clients. Sometimes they will go off the gross amount, while others go off the net.
Sometimes the flat percentage they charge is lower if you get a very large settlement. Make sure you fully understand the fee structure before hiring the attorney.
4. Ask friends & family- you can also ask your co-workers for names of good lawyers who have done excellent work for them.
5. Lawyer referral- lawyers have lawyers as friends or they may know who is or isn’t a reputable attorney. Ask a lawyer you used on another matter to recommend someone they think is good.
The ability to find a good lawyer resides with you and how well you do your research. This is not something you have to do by the next day. You do have time to find one so make full use of that time and research thoroughly and well.
Some final words
Be careful about those lawyers who say they handle every type of law on the books. These are called jack of all trades lawyers and they may not have the expertise you need.
They may also make mistakes in filing and cut your compensation down substantially. Get a car accident lawyer that knows the laws backward and forwards and knows what to do.
