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Factors To Consider When Hiring An Accident Attorney
It can be challenging to determine the right personal injury lawyer for your accident case. At times, you might feel overwhelmed with all the options and advertisements from lawyers near you. There are some key things to consider when choosing a lawyer for your case. Learn more about how to select the right attorney for your particular accident case.
An Attorney’s Education And License
To choose the right attorney for your case, it is helpful to understand the training and testing that every lawyer must complete before they are licensed to practice law. Every attorney begins by earning a bachelor’s degree, which typically requires approximately four years of undergraduate study.
After that, they apply to law school. Applicants must take the LSAT — a test that measures logical reasoning and other critical skills needed for law school success. Combined with the applicant’s undergraduate GPA, LSAT scores determine whether they are admitted.
Law school itself is typically a three-year program, and it is highly competitive. Everyone admitted has already shown strong academic performance and critical thinking skills. Grades are extremely close, and many classes base the entire grade on a single final exam. Not all students complete the full three years of study. Those who do complete the program earn a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
However, earning a JD is not enough to practice law. Every state requires graduates to pass a bar exam that tests general knowledge across many areas of law. While every licensed attorney has passed this comprehensive exam, holding a license does not indicate experience and skill. This is why it is important for you, as a prospective client, to look at the type of law an attorney has actually practiced since being admitted to the bar.
Applicants must also pass a background check and a “moral character” review. Once they meet these requirements, earn a JD, and pass the bar exam, they can be admitted to the bar by taking an oath of office.
At this point, the individual becomes a licensed attorney who may then practice law legally. As you can see, most lawyers share a similar educational foundation and must pass the same state bar exam. But simply being licensed does not make someone the right choice for your personal injury matter. An attorney’s actual experience plays a crucial role in determining whether they can effectively handle your case.
So, Who Is The Right Accident Lawyer For Me?
Many factors determine whether a particular attorney is a good fit for you and your case. Here are some of the essential considerations when selecting an attorney:
The Lawyer’s Experience With Your Type Of Accident
Different types of accidents present various legal issues. For example, a construction accident on a worksite presents other questions than an auto accident at a school. Even different types of auto accidents can raise various legal issues. An accident caused by a drunk driver, for instance, is much different from an accident caused by faulty brakes on a brand new vehicle. When looking for a lawyer, check to see what kind of law they have been practicing. Ask about your specific type of accident. If the lawyer has never handled a case involving this type of accident, they will have to learn as they go. This lack of experience may mean that you may not recover the full amount of compensation available for your case.
The Lawyer’s Experience With Your Type Of Injuries
The injuries you suffered will play a major role in the compensation you may recover after an accident. To present a strong claim, your lawyer must be able to clearly explain how those injuries have affected your daily life, work, and overall well-being. This does not mean your attorney needs medical expertise. It simply means they must understand your medical records, communicate with your healthcare providers when appropriate, and translate your medical information into plain language for a claims adjuster, mediator, judge, or jury.
A lawyer who has handled cases involving similar injuries will already be familiar with the types of evidence required, the common challenges injured people face, and the most effective way to present your damages. This experience is valuable when negotiating or litigating your claim. An attorney with this background can assist you in pursuing compensation for the losses you suffered because of the accident.
Reputation
The internet has made it easier than ever to get information about an attorney’s reputation. Online reviews and ratings are available on various websites, including Google and Yelp. AVVO is a familiar website for attorney rankings. Remember: a single bad review may not accurately reflect how an attorney typically performs. There could be circumstances you are not aware of, so it is important not to discount an attorney entirely because of one bad review. However, if a lawyer has many negative reviews or a pattern of a specific issue, this is a concerning sign.
Where The Lawyer Is Located
In the digital age, many businesses can be conducted online. Conducting business online makes it less essential to be within easy driving distance of your attorney’s office. However, you may still need to visit there to sign important documents or to collect your settlement check. And of course, some clients prefer the personal service that can only be provided in person at a professional office. If this is something that is important to you, be sure that your lawyer’s office is in a location convenient to your own.
Does This Attorney Have Experience With Insurance Companies?
Insurance companies employ various tactics to avoid paying a fair settlement on personal injury claims. They might try to deny the claim altogether. If the insurance company says that someone else was at fault – or worse, tries to put the blame on you – you may need a personal injury lawyer who can help you prove that the defendant was at fault and the insurance company does have a contractual obligation to settle your claim.
Still, even when an insurance company accepts liability, you may receive a settlement offer that is significantly lower than what is needed to cover all your losses. A skilled lawyer should be able to negotiate on your behalf and present your losses to insurers. Insurance settlement offers may not fully account for all your expenses and pain and suffering. To counter this, your attorney will need to describe the circumstances of your specific pain and suffering: how it is affecting you, the things you have missed out on, and how your injuries have impacted your family.
The insurance company may also claim that you are exaggerating your injuries. An investigator may even follow you around and try to “catch” you moving comfortably despite your injuries. This means that a stranger may follow you to work or possibly follow your children around your home. An experienced lawyer will be familiar with such tactics and know how to address them. By having your own lawyer — one who knows how to respond to these potential actions — your case may become a little more manageable.
Do They Have Experience Handling A Claim With Different Types Of Insurance Coverage?
A single accident can involve several different types of insurance. For example, if you were injured at work, you are entitled to workers’ compensation coverage. However, this only covers your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. There could be other defendants who have a legal obligation to pay for all of your losses – including pain and suffering.
If your workplace injury was caused by defective safety equipment, the manufacturer might be liable for all your losses and injuries. But if workers’ compensation has already paid for some of your medical bills, the carrier could be entitled to compensation from your award. You can see how complicated these insurance issues can be. Cases involving multiple insurance policies require careful analysis and consideration. Consider working with a lawyer who has experience handling similar insurance coverage issues.
Even a “simple” car accident case can involve different types of insurance. Many injury victims have health insurance that will cover their initial hospital bills. But if you eventually get a personal injury settlement from the negligent driver, your health insurance carrier could be entitled to reimbursement for bills it paid that were related to the accident (if these bills were reflected in your final personal injury award).
There could be different auto insurance policies that cover the same car accident. If you have medical payments coverage on your own policy, this could cover some of your injuries – even if you also have a claim against the negligent driver’s insurance coverage. Consider hiring an attorney with experience in identifying various insurance policies that may be applicable to your case. Your car accident lawyer should also understand how different insurance policies interact and when reimbursement rights must be settled.
How Will The Lawyer Be Paid?
It is crucial to understand how your lawyer will be compensated before signing any representation agreement. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This arrangement means that, instead of working at a set hourly rate for the exact number of hours spent on your case, the lawyer agrees to take no upfront fees. Instead, they will take a percentage of the payout that they obtain on your behalf. In case no compensation is received, you are not obliged to pay the attorney’s fees. Other case-related costs may still be charged to you regardless of the outcome of your case.
If a lawsuit must be filed on your behalf, the amount of work the attorney must perform also goes up dramatically. This is why many contingency fee agreements have a higher percentage of the award going to the attorney if they file a lawsuit. There might also be court costs and other litigation expenses that will come out of your award. Be sure you understand precisely how your attorney will be paid before signing a representation agreement. If you are not comfortable with the fee arrangements, discuss them with your lawyer.
Are You Comfortable With This Attorney?
Ultimately, some people are simply more compatible than others. A personal injury lawyer might just not be a good fit for you. If you cannot work together comfortably, the quality of representation may suffer, which could potentially impact your legal interests. It is crucial to work with a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable. If you meet with a potential lawyer and aren’t “clicking,” you don’t have to sign a representation agreement. Keep meeting with potential lawyers until you find one who feels right for you and your case.
Personal Injury Attorneys For Your California Accident Case
You don’t have to search all over California to find the right accident lawyers for your personal injury case. Our experienced injury lawyers at Arash Law serve clients throughout California and can represent injury victims in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, Sherman Oaks, San Diego, and Sacramento. Our California auto accident lawyers have years of experience handling various injury cases and know how to negotiate with insurance companies regarding settlement offers. Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation. We can advocate for your rights and help you pursue just compensation for the injuries and losses you have suffered.
