Getting into a car accident isn’t fun for anyone involved. But neither is going through a lawsuit right afterward.
Whether you’re a plaintiff or defendant, court proceedings are stressful, time-consuming, and anything but budget-friendly.
But no matter what, it’s important to seek the best legal support you can.
Though this may be true, it doesn’t make the search any easier. In fact, it could make it more stressful.
Having a checklist handy will help you narrow down your search for the perfect attorney. No matter your circumstances, there’s bound to be a great lawyer willing to represent your case.
Interested in learning more? Then keep reading for seven factors to consider when picking car accident attorneys. You’ll know exactly what your perfect car accident attorney will look like.
1. Reputation
Dealing with legal trouble after a car accident case is stressful for everyone involved. So when it’s time to hire legal representation, it’s important that you look closely at their references and reviews.
There are plenty of attorney databases online that can verify an attorney’s certification and credibility. They might also show reviews from other attorneys or clients, giving you a more specific picture of their services.
But even after you realize an attorney’s legit, don’t stop your search. You’ll also want to know what the reviews say, as that might indicate their strengths and specializations.
Not only that, but you’ll also want to look for a car accident lawyer specifically. Personal injury lawyers might be great at their job, but they may also not specialize in car accident cases. Car accident lawyers, on the other hand, have more precise insight into the specifics of car accident law.
2. Pricing
Not all clients have an unlimited bank account. In fact, many people that need justice are those with lower incomes. For that reason, there’s no need to dole out more than you need to receive the legal services you deserve.
Although you might not be able to afford a corporate lawyer’s prices, there are many financial options for attorneys. All you need to do is look in the right places and ask the right questions.
It’s important to shop around so you can start comparing attorney fees. Of course, there’s a lot more to a great lawyer than affordability, but you should definitely be able to afford the services you’re hiring.
If needed, you can even ask the attorney in question about payment plans. It’s fairly common for attorneys to draw up payment plan agreements to adapt to their client’s financial needs.
3. Experience
Law firms come out of nowhere, but it’s in your best interest to choose one that’s experienced. After all, that’s most likely going to lead to a plethora of reviews telling you what they’re like.
There are many things that are best learned through experience. One of those things is litigation. If you’re choosing a lawyer, it’s a good idea to choose one with mature experience.
For something as sensitive as lawsuits, this is essential. Experience teaches an attorney how to perfect their strategies for future cases and what pitfalls to look out for.
4. Communication Style
Everyone has their own communication styles, and some are incompatible with each other. This is especially important to consider for lawsuits, as communication is the key to moving cases forward.
So if you’d like constant, face-to-face updates, try to find a lawyer that will accommodate you. You might also have to accommodate their style, but you shouldn’t compromise your own comfort too much.
5. Attorney’s Participation
Though you may initially speak to a single attorney before hiring their services, they may not be the person compiling your case. That’s because many large law firms distribute responsibilities among more junior attorneys.
If you don’t mind that, then understand that your relationship with the attorney in charge of your case will be more distant. But most clients prefer their hired attorney to fully participate in the case.
This way, attorneys have a more intimate understanding of the case. Clients might also have a better attorney-client relationship with their attorney since they can speak about the case at better length.
6. Personability
Lawyers aren’t around for small talk, but it’s important to maintain a great attorney-client relationship. Though this doesn’t have to require daily conversations around the water cooler, it does mean that compatibility matters.
It’s important for clients to feel comfortable with their lawyers because it helps their case. Otherwise, they might hesitate to speak up, potentially holding key information from the case even if they don’t know it. This can only hurt your case, which needs as much detail as possible to succeed.
Before you commit to an attorney’s service, it’s important to have the first conversation. While first impressions aren’t everything, a bad one is a surefire sign that you should move onto other options. You don’t have to keep in touch after the case has closed, but you should have a great working relationship.
Don’t Compromise When Picking Car Accident Attorneys
Picking car accident attorneys with a great reputation is easy. But when you consider finances, communication style, and specializations, the search can get much harder. That’s why anyone seeking legal services should always be ready to do a thorough search, as long as they have the resources to do so.
This article should provide a good checklist for a car accident attorney search. If it did, check out our other posts! We’ve got plenty of other legal advice that could help you navigate your case.