When you’re involved in an automobile accident, it can literally change your life.
Some car accident injuries never fully heal. Furthermore, many car accident victims develop emotional trauma after the fact. Finally, there are countless expenses involved in the aftermath, such as hospital bills, lost wages, lost jobs, and damages to personal property.
So who pays for all of this if the accident wasn’t your fault? Typically, it falls on the insurance companies. But what if they’re not willing to give you the compensation you deserve?
In this case, you need to find the best car accident lawyer to represent your case. Let them help you file a lawsuit to make sure you’re taken care of. You shouldn’t have to pay for your medical bills or personal losses.
Keep reading for everything you need to look for to find the best lawyer.
Positive Client Reviews
An experienced car accident attorney with a solid reputation will have positive client reviews and testimonials to speak of his or her credibility. Talk to the lawyer and ask them if they can provide you with a list of references.
You may also be able to find client reviews and testimonials on their website. If you’re not yet in contact with the attorney and can’t find reviews on their website, use Google to search for the lawyer’s name and “client reviews.”
Availability
After being injured in a car accident, it’s absolutely imperative that you act quickly if you plan to file a lawsuit. There is a statute of limitations governing the validity of a lawsuit after a certain amount of time.
Therefore, you need to find a car accident lawyer who can fit you into their schedule as soon as possible. You may hear great things about a particular attorney, but if he or she is unavailable for the next several months, you need to move on. The longer you wait to get the ball rolling, the less likely you are to get the compensation you’re seeking.
A Free Case Evaluation
The best car accident lawyers know the value of each and every potential client seeking their services. As such, they’ll offer a free consultation or case evaluation. This is incredibly beneficial for clients who need professional answers in order to move forward.
If you have a few car accident attorneys on your list, reach out to them or visit their websites to see if they’ll sit down with you for a free consultation. Some will meet in person while others will conduct your evaluation over the phone.
Rapport
When it comes to an attorney/client relationship, it’s more than just confidentiality that’s important. You need to find a lawyer that treats you with respect. Mutual respect is vital for any business or personal relationship.
Your rapport with your car accident attorney will affect how he or she treats you, listens to you, and handles your case. When consulting with prospective lawyers, if you get the feeling they’re looking down on you or are condescending, find a different option.
Communication Skills
Part of building a good rapport with your lawyer comes down to their communication skills. When you’re talking about your case, are they actively listening to what you have to say? If he or she interrupts you or speaks over you, they may not be a good fit.
Of course, the lawyer knows more than you do, but that shouldn’t affect their ability to listen or be courteous.
The best car accident lawyer will take the time to hear everything you have to say. You will feel confident that they are genuinely invested in your case. They will be willing to answer your questions and address any concerns you have moving forward.
This includes timely responses and availability through phone calls, text messages, emails, etc. You shouldn’t have to wait days to hear back from your lawyer. This can add unnecessary stress to a situation that’s already stressful enough.
Confidence
When talking to potential lawyers, try to gauge their confidence. If you hire them, they’ll be responsible for handling your case and getting you the financial compensation necessary to move on with your life. The result of your case will affect you for the rest of your life.
They need to feel confident in the outcome of your case and project that confidence onto you. If they seem uncertain about whether or not they can help you win your case, it might be beneficial to find a lawyer with more confidence.
Experience
Next, finding the right car accident attorney in Orange County may mean looking at experience. Car accident circumstances and causes vary greatly. You need to know the lawyer you hire has the know-how to properly handle your case.
For example, if it was a simple accident caused by speeding, failing to yield, or an improper lane change, it’s pretty cut and dry. However, if you introduce things like drunk driving, texting while driving, and other issues, things can get complicated.
Talk to them about the previous cases they’ve handled to decide if you feel comfortable with them taking your case.
Resolve
Seeking financial compensation from your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company isn’t always as simple as filing a claim. Insurance companies, like any other business, are designed to make money. Every time they payout for a claim, the business loses money.
As such, many insurance companies will try to settle your claim for the least amount of money possible, whether we’re talking about damages, medical bills, pain, suffering, etc. The best car accident lawyer will not settle for the first offer that comes across their desk. They will work hard to make sure you get the financial compensation you’re seeking.
Most cases never go to trial because the insurance company ends up settling. Learn more about what to expect from a car accident settlement to understand your potential case winnings.
Fair Pricing
Finally, consider pricing when looking for the best car accident lawyer. Most personal injury attorneys charge a contingency fee. This means they take a small percentage of your winnings if your case is successful.
However, some attorneys have separate costs, such as court fees, expert witness expenses, mailing fees, and more. Find a lawyer who is completely upfront about their charges.
For example, at Chudleigh Law, we only charge you the contingency fee if you win your case. All of our costs are covered in the contingency fee. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us anything.
Looking for the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Orange County?
Are you in need of legal counsel? We know how stressful car accidents can be, especially if you feel like no one is on your side.
But you don’t have to feel that way. We are on your side and we are willing to go to bat for you. Contact us today to get a free case evaluation, let us guide you through this journey and do everything in our power to help you.
