If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you need to make sure your needs are taken care of. This is especially important if you suffered any injuries that resulted in exorbitant medical bills or affected your ability to work. However, you must also consider your physical pain and suffering as well as any emotional trauma you experience (or will continue to experience).
If your insurance company, or the insurance company of the other driver, is unwilling to give you the compensation you deserve, you need to look for an Orange County car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you seek legal advice for your case, the better.
But how do you find the best car accident lawyer in Orange County? Keep reading for everything you need to know.
Ask Around for Referrals
As with most legal cases, your accident case probably feels personal. Therefore, start your search for answers with the people closest to you. Ask your friends and family members if they have any experience working with a car accident lawyer in Orange County.
You might also consider reaching out to other people in your immediate contacts, like co-workers or neighbors. Finally, take the question online and get recommendations from friends on Facebook. You can also join Orange County community pages where you can address the entire town to find the right local car accident lawyer.
Check Out Online Reviews
For more information, search for client reviews and testimonials online. Some law firms post reviews from their clients on their websites and social media pages.
However, if you can’t find what you’re looking for in these places, perform a simple Google search. Type in the name of the law firm or lawyer and “reviews.”
It’s important to see what other clients have to say about a lawyer’s ability, communication skills, efficiency, and more. Was the lawyer respectful, patient, and attentive? Did they answer questions and address concerns?
Furthermore, did the client get hit with any hidden fees after all was said and done? How did the lawyer charge their client and did it seem fair?
Ask for a Free Case Evaluation
Before signing with a lawyer, you should schedule a free case evaluation with your top contenders. The best car accident lawyer will sit down and go over your case with you. This is a good time to learn more about your case and what the lawsuit filing process will entail.
Furthermore, spend this consultation time getting to know the lawyer and developing a rapport. Do you feel comfortable talking to them about your circumstances? Do they seem genuinely concerned about your situation and the outcome of your case?
Additionally, pay attention to their communication skills and how they treat you. Do they take the time to answer your questions?
Or, do they interrupt you and dismiss your concerns? If they’re short or impatient with you now, it’s not going to get better once you hire them.
Ask About Legal Fees and Pricing
Next, you need to think about your personal costs when learning how to find a car accident lawyer in Orange County. How do lawyers charge for these types of services? If you’re like most people, lawyer fees aren’t exactly something your can afford out of pocket.
Fortunately, most car accident lawyers charge a contingency fee for their services. Initially, they handle all of the court fees and other legal expenses. If you win your case, they take a pre-determined percentage of your winnings as their pay.
If you don’t win your case, you won’t be charged for anything. This is how lawyers make their legal services available to everyone who needs them, rather than just those who can afford them. This also motivates them to work in the best interest of their clients.
Consider Experience and Expertise
If you’re thinking “I need a car accident lawyer,” you need to find the best attorney for your case. When consulting with various car accident lawyers, ask them about their experience. How long have they been practicing law?
However, you should also ask about their expertise, especially if your case has unique circumstances. For example, if you were the passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident, there will be added complications.
Few lawsuits actually make it to trial. The liable party usually ends up settling to avoid further expenses.
An experienced lawyer with the right expertise will help you understand how much to expect from a settlement. You don’t want to hold out for too much and force an unnecessary trial, but you also don’t want to accept a settlement that’s too low.
Ask to See Case Outcomes
Another way of vetting Orange County car accident lawyers is by looking at their previous case results. You don’t need to see the names of previous clients or other private information, but you can get a glimpse of the lawyer’s track record.
How much do they usually get for their car accident clients? Are they generally successful in pursuing compensation?
Ask About Their Current Caseload
Finally, before hiring a car accident lawyer in Orange County, ask about their availability. It’s not uncommon for lawyers to juggle dozens of cases at one time, as most cases take several months to complete.
However, you need to make sure the lawyer you hire has plenty of time and attention to devote to your case. Ask them how many cases they currently have and if that’s normal.
They should be honest with you about how much they can handle. If they have too many cases on their plate already, they might recommend you to someone else in their law firm.
Looking for an Orange County Car Accident Lawyer?
Have you been involved in an accident? Are you seeking compensation for your physical injuries and/or emotional trauma?
If so, you can’t afford to wait, reach out to an Orange County car accident lawyer immediately to discuss your case. They can point you in the right direction and help you understand your options. If you want help now, contact Chudleigh law today to get a free consultation.
