Being involved in a car accident can turn your life upside down. From the moment of impact, even if it’s a minor car crash, you can feel completely thrown around in life, with stress for your health and wellbeing, your loved ones, your vehicle, and the following process. And the bigger the accident, the more emotional it becomes.
However, amidst the waves of medical appointments, insurance companies, or missed work, you’ll likely realise the need for experienced legal counsel to stand up for your rights.
About Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
That’s right, while we hope and dream that our motor vehicle accident claim can be sorted out by the insurance companies themselves and you will have minimal involvement in the process (that’s what you pay them for, right?), the truth is that they’re not always great.
Sometimes, giant insurers refuse to pay out, and the other party wants to sue. Sometimes, you’ll be blamed for the accident and denied the car accident compensation you deserve.
When you find yourself in times like these, having an expert car accident lawyer on your side is crucial to fighting your auto injury claim. Not only for securing justice but also for supporting your healing process, relieving financial worries, and minimising the emotional toll of this challenging time.
So, finding a lawyer that helps you claim personal injury compensation—where do you begin? Today, we’re considering seven of the essential tips and tricks to help you hire the best lawyers for car accidents.
Consider this your map for navigating the uncertainties, a tool to regain control, and a stepping stone towards the recuperation and settlement you deserve. Let’s get into it.
#1 – Start with an Online Search
First and foremost, the internet is your friend when researching car accident claims and will always be your starting point in any personal injury law case. The best approach is simply to search for all the motor vehicle accident lawyer firms in your area, list them, and see who is available.
Look at cost and fees, reviews, case studies and cases in which the lawyer has worked (and other things we’re looking at in detail throughout this guide). Immediately cut the law firms that don’t make the grade. Now, you have a decent list of potential, high-quality car accident lawyers ready to fight your case. Just ensure they offer services that can help you after a car accident.
The law that applies to common law claims for motor vehicle accidents is pretty niche and detailed. Hence, it is important to ensure you work with someone who knows what they’re doing.
#2 – Asking Family or Friends
Accompanying your online search, contacting friends and family is always a good idea, as they may have been involved in a motor vehicle accident before. And if they have a solid recommendation or some insight on which law firms you should avoid, that’s also helpful.
While discussing your car accident claim situation with your inner circle, be sure to ask about the specific aspects of their experience, both positive and negative.
Ask about the lawyer’s communication style and their ability to simplify complex legal concepts. Also, consider their level of support and empathy and the overall outcome of their cases. Moreover, ask about the lawyer’s fees, including any upfront costs, hidden charges, or contingency fees, to assist you in understanding their pricing structures.
This is a surefire way to help you gauge the affordability of hiring a particular lawyer while ensuring a high level of professionalism and competence prevalent among the best car accident lawyers.
#3 – Seek Recommendations from Other Professionals
Next up, it’s a bit of a slick idea to use professionals to find other professionals. After all, if you’re already using a professional for your case, they’ve worked with other firms on the same kind of matter. Typically, they are happy to recommend their preferred legal services provider.
Basically, it can pay off to get recommendations from other professionals. Let’s break it down.
Consult Medical Professionals
Your healthcare provider is often the first point of contact after a personal injury. Medical professionals understand the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. They’ll be the ones who know exactly what medical treatment you’re getting, what the medical expenses are for this, and any future medical treatment costs you may have to pay.
Because of their close involvement in your car accident injury case and because they routinely interact with personal injury lawyers and are involved with car accident claims to help patients, they’re a great recommendation source for trusted, high-quality car accident compensation lawyers who can guide you.
Reach Out to Professional Legal Networks
Lawyers themselves form an extensive network, often guided by rigorous professional standards. Tapping into this network can lead you to experienced compensation lawyers.
Consider contacting your local bar association or other professional legal groups that can provide a directory or recommendation service.
Seek Colleague Recommendations
If you know someone in the legal profession, like a family lawyer or corporate lawyer, they might be able to recommend a distinguished personal injury lawyer, providing you with a referral or sharing their professional contacts.
#4 – Be Confident to Interview the Lawyers First
Choosing a car accident lawyer to represent you during a complex personal injury case is important. There’s no doubt about it, which is why you shouldn’t just accept to work with the first lawyer you meet.
It pays to shop around for the one who’ll help you get the best result, which means diving a little deeper. In this sense, that means hotlisting your favourite lawyers or attorneys and then interviewing them.
Plenty of lawyers offer a free initial consultation. This service allows you to share the details of your case, ask questions, and determine whether the lawyer is right for you and your motor vehicle accident claims. During an initial consultation, be prepared with all relevant documents and a list of questions you’d like to address.
Key Questions to Ask Your Best Car Accident Lawyers
Key questions you can ask include:
- What is your experience in handling car accident cases similar to mine?
- Please explain your fee structure for car accident compensation claims?
- What can I expect in terms of communication and updates on my case?
- How do you approach negotiations with insurance companies, and are you prepared to take my case to court if necessary?
- What is your success rate?
Observe the answers they provide and how your car accident lawyer communicates. Importantly, ensure that by the end of this interview, you feel heard, understood, and reassured about the potential for a favourable outcome in your case. Leaving the session more confused than when you arrived is probably a good indicator that your search for an attorney should continue.
#5 – Know the Legal Fees for Car Accident Claims
Okay, let’s talk cost. Everyone knows that legal costs can get expensive, especially in cases that go on for months or years, and quite rightly, this can feel a little daunting. However, if you’re not able to represent yourself in court properly and the trial doesn’t have a positive outcome for you, it can end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars with no motor vehicle accident claim compensation at the end of it.
Let’s break down how this works while showcasing why it’s better to have professional car accident lawyers on your side, even with the cost. Typically, personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis.
This means they receive a portion of your settlement or court award as their fee. This is the foundation of the no-win, no fee model. If your car accident lawyers don’t win your case, they aren’t paid.
This incentivises your motor injury lawyers to work as hard as possible to get you your maximum personal injury compensation claim amount, making them more money. At the end of the day, everyone wins, especially since you won’t need to pay any upfront costs or pay if you don’t get your compensation claim at the end of it.
However, this contingency fee is usually a percentage of your claim compensation, which can vary on a lawyer-to-lawyer basis.
What Percentage Do Car Accident Lawyers Take?
Generally, this range sits around the 25% to 40% mark, sometimes reaching as high as 50%, depending on the case’s complexity, whether it goes to trial and the experience and reputation of the lawyer.
There might also be additional costs for administrative tasks, discovery processes, or expert witnesses, but these will usually be deducted from the final settlement. However, some law firms might request them upfront, so clarify this in your initial discussions (see tip #7).
Long story short, always ask for the fee structure and all potential costs during your initial consultation, get it in writing, make sure it suits how you want to do things, and then you can proceed confidently.
#6 – Check their Track Record
Diving a little deeper, at this point, you should have an obvious idea of what car accident lawyers are available to you, which look good, and which will serve you best. Now, we can narrow down your selection a little further.
This one is a bit of a two-pronged attack; both stem from looking at the lawyer’s case history and seeing what they’ve achieved throughout their career.
But this doesn’t simply mean examining their win-loss ratio, but rather their history of handling cases similar to yours.
A strong track record in motor vehicle injury cases, especially those involving motor vehicle accidents, suggests that the attorney is well-versed in the relevant laws and insurance company tactics. They’ll likely know the best strategies to obtain a fair settlement and, if necessary, in court.
All of which benefit you and your personal injury claim.
During your initial consultation or interview, don’t hesitate to ask about the lawyer’s experience and their track record, including questions like:
- Can you share some examples of similar cases and their outcomes?
- How often do you take cases to trial?
- Can you discuss the strategies you used in some of your most successful cases?
- How many settlements have you negotiated?
Remember that every case is unique, with its own set of circumstances that impact the outcome, and a past settlement or verdict can’t guarantee the same result for your case.
Nonetheless, familiarising yourself with their past successes can offer reassurance about their expertise and provide a sense of what’s possible.
#7 – Make Sure You Get a Written Agreement for Clarity and Certainty
And finally, something we’ve spoken about throughout this guide, but it’s crucial to ensure you’re seeing this one through. Get the agreement with your chosen lawyer in writing.
Legal cases are complicated, as are pricing fee structures and insurance procedures. You need to ensure you’re clear about what your lawyer is offering you, what they’re helping you with, and the boundaries of the service.
The best way to do this is to obtain a written agreement from your chosen attorney about your plan. And don’t worry; every decent, transparent lawyer will be happy to do this, so don’t hold back asking.
A written agreement protects your interests and solidifies the understanding between you and your attorney. It should include details such as:
- The scope of the legal services to be provided
- The fee structure and payment terms
- The lawyer’s responsibility for communication and updates
- The anticipated timeline for your case and car accident compensation
- Your obligations and expectations as a client
Important: Don’t hesitate to ask questions if any part of the agreement is unclear or if you need further clarification. Remember, this written agreement not only serves to protect you legally but also provides peace of mind as you navigate a challenging period in your life.
Specialist Car Accident Lawyers
Navigating the path towards justice and the personal injury claims you’re entitled to after a mishap can be challenging. At such a time, having a professional and skilled team of experienced lawyers who fight insurance companies with expert legal representation can make all the difference.
With our expansive expertise, transparent fee structure, distinguished track record, and clearly defined written agreements for your personal injury claims, Splatt Lawyers is the law firm you can unequivocally trust.
Take charge of your personal injury claim, and let us guide you through the legal process towards a successful outcome. With our ‘No Win, No Fee‘ arrangement and a commitment to supporting you throughout your case, you can rest assured that your quest for justice is our top priority.
To learn more about our legal services and to start your stress-free consultation, do not hesitate to contact us today. Stand tall with Splatt Lawyers – the partners you can trust.
