At any given moment, as many as 660,000 individuals in the United States are using cell phones or other electronic devices while driving. This puts not only the drivers, but everyone around them, at a greater risk for car accidents.
If you or someone you know was involved in one of the 333,000 large vehicle accidents annually, finding a good car accident attorney should be at the top of your priority list. Not sure where to start? Here are five things you need to know before you hire a car accident attorney.
Initial Consultations Are Usually Free
Many people aren’t willing to call a lawyer because they believe it will cost too much. However, a good lawyer will be willing to discuss the basic facts of your case and tell you whether they believe you even have a case, for free. Costs can be negotiated and discussed afterwards.
Experience Matters
Most good lawyers limit their practice to one or two kinds of law. If you are hiring a lawyer to represent you in a brain injury or bodily injury case, you should make sure that they have experience in that specific field.
Past Success Counts
Understanding how a lawyer typically handles cases similar to yours can be very helpful in determining if they are the right lawyers for you. Before making a final decision about a lawyer, do some research into past cases they have handled. If you find it hard to find a lot of information about past cases, ask them during the consultation about the results of the previous cases they have handled.
Lawsuits Aren’t Always Necessary
While up to 96% of cases get settled before a trial ever occurs, some cases do not even need a lawsuit to be settled. A lawyer can sometimes get the important information to the insurance company for the defendant and settle the case without needing to file in court.
Know Your Fees
Any lawyer must be paid for their time and services to you. If you hire a lawyer, you need to make sure you understand what is referred to as a contingency fee, which occurs only after you’ve been paid. This kind of a fee allows you to hire a great lawyer without having to pay that lawyer upfront, but amounts differ and you should be aware of cost at all times.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury-related deaths, and to avoid any unnecessary financial strain, it’s important that you understand these five things before you look into any car accident attorneys.
