If you’ve never been in a car accident before you may not know how to find a car accident lawyer. After you have been in an accident, it’s important to hire a lawyer who understands the complexities of car accident cases and can guide you through insurance claims. Navigating your way through all the paperwork and insurance information without the proper legal representation can be frustrating and difficult. There is a higher chance for you to lose compensation, not fully understand your legal rights and more.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer
It’s important to understand how to choose a car accident lawyer because these cases can be quite complex. There are liability, car insurance claims, personal injury claims, pain and suffering, lost wages and more. Finding an experienced attorney who can help you through the legalese of a car accident will not just bring you peace of mind, but it will also help you get your full compensation from the insurance companies.
Insurance companies often try to settle claims for far less than their true value. When hiring a car accident attorney, they will gather evidence, explain and protect their client’s legal rights as a victim, build a strong case for the insurance companies and then make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
What to Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer
Choosing an attorney with good reviews and is attentive to your case is essential to solving your legal issues with as little headache as possible.
An experienced attorney will be able to provide references for past car accident cases to demonstrate their experience and show clients how they typically handle cases. They should be able to explain legal concepts in a way clients can easily understand. A good lawyer is like your guide through these complex issues.
Types of Car Accident Lawyers
There are many types of car accident lawyers. There are personal injury lawyers, insurance defense lawyers, car accident litigation lawyers and general practice lawyers. Finding the right one that fits your situation is imperative to solving your legal issues as quickly as possible.
Personal injury lawyers specialize in representing clients who have been injured in a car accident. These attorneys handle cases involving physical injuries, emotional distress and property damage.
Insurance defense lawyers represent companies and their policyholders in car accidents. Their goal is to minimize the amount of compensation paid to the victim.
Car accident litigation lawyers specialize in car accident cases that go to trial. These attorneys have courtroom experience and understand the litigation process.
General practice lawyers handle a wide range of legal issues, including car accidents. General practice lawyers might not be as experienced or have the expertise to handle complex cases in a field they don’t specialize in.
How to Find a Car Accident Attorney in Reno
When looking for a car accident attorney in Reno, make sure to check your lawyers’ credentials and look over their reviews. It’s important to go over all your legal options and find a firm with the experience and expertise you are looking for when choosing an attorney.
Questions to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer During the Consultation
Asking the right questions during a free consultation is a great way for both clients and attorneys to figure out if they want to work together.
Potential clients should ask questions regarding the attorney’s experience, how they handle cases, how they will communicate throughout the case and about lawyer fees.
- What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?
- How long have you been practicing?
- How often do you handle cases similar to mine?
- What would be your strategy for my injury case?
- Do you prefer to settle your car accident claims outside of court or to take cases to trial?
- How often do you reach out to your clients to update them on their case?
- Do you work on a contingency basis or charge an hourly rate?
- Do you know if my case will have any additional expenses like court fees or expert witness fees?
Red Flags to Watch for When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer
It’s very easy to get caught up in the drama after a car accident and choose the first lawyer you come across. Looking over reviews, checking their credentials, checking their track record and having a consultation before deciding to work together is the key to solving your legal issue as quickly as possible. When you are choosing an attorney, look for any of these red flags:
Red Flag: Inexperience.
Solution: Check their credentials before a consultation.
Red Flag: Poor communication.
Solution: Ask your attorney questions during your free consultation. If your lawyer is struggling to relay information properly to you in an easy to understand way, they will struggle in a court room.
Red Flag: Unreasonable promises.
Solution: During your consultation, keep your ears perked for 100% guarantees. Some lawyers will try to sway clients by just saying what a client wants to hear.
When looking for a car accident attorney to represent you, it’s important to make sure they have your best interest at heart and will represent you to the best of their abilities.
The Benefits of Hiring a Local Car Accident Lawyer
So, how do you find the right car accident lawyer? Local attorneys are a great place to start. A local attorney will have a better understanding of local laws, they will be familiar with opposing counsel and judges, a better reputation in the community and they will have an intimate knowledge of your local courtrooms.
Local attorneys typically have stronger roots to the community and will personalize their service to better suit their clients. Longstanding and local law firms, like Friedman & Throop, are known to give their clients one-on-one attention and never hand their cases off to unknown associates or non-lawyers.
Tips for Working with a Car Accident Lawyer
When working with a car accident attorney, regular communication is key. Staying up to date on all the necessary information is a great way to stay on top of your case.
It’s important to choose a car accident lawyer who can keep track of your files and expenses like medical bills, lost wages and property damage. An organized attorney will be more aware of your situation and be able to determine the correct amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Following your lawyer’s advice is a great way to ensure your case runs smoothly. Your lawyer has years of experience and expertise to handle difficult situations.
Patience is key. Car accident cases can take time and understanding realistic timeframes is important. It is easy to get frustrated after an accident and just wanting everything to be resolved. Staying committed and working with your lawyer is the best way to achieve a positive outcome.
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