Mishaps occur every day! Road and car accidents have become a part of our reality. There are times when a car accident occurs without ill intention to anyone. And there are times when a car accident occurs because of the driver's negligence and intentional recklessness. Examples of rash driving and drunk driving are prevalent today. However, there are times when a car accident causes physical harm to another person. That is where you need to take legal assistance to straighten things out. Here you can count on the expertise and skills of an auto accident attorney.
Thankfully, though, looking for an auto accident attorney today is no longer as difficult as it may have been in the past. The Internet is your best resource to start with. You can browse online to get connected with an attorney! Independent attorneys, like that of The Stephens Law Firm, have their website. Otherwise, the reputed law firms also showcase expert auto accident lawyers on their sites. You can browse and compare websites, services, and costs before making the final call. You can check out auto accident attorney Tampa to know more about this.
That said, read through this article to get acquainted with some of the best pointers you should be aware of in hiring an auto accident attorney.
You need an auto accident attorney – Understanding the reasons.
The majority of personal injury claims today are accidents that involve a truck, car, bike, and various other vehicles. And these accidents result in minor to significant vehicle damage. It can also cause physical injury to the driver and others affected by the car accident. In such a situation, you might have to contact a reputed insurance company. But the car accidents that typically include fatality, physical injury, and other crucial damages might require the proper legal representation of an expert counsel.When you get the assistance and guidance of an expert attorney, you can manage your auto accident case better. Having an attorney by your side is one of the best protection you can provide yourself after an accident. You can have the compensations required to cover the losses you incur because of the accident. These include medical costs, car repairs, lost wages, etc. There are situations where an auto accident attorney might assist you in recovering when someone close to you gets killed or loses their life due to the accident. It is usually the case of speeding, reckless driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Sometimes, a car accident is intentional even when the driver is in sound mind! And this can get defined as a criminal act. There is a definite motive behind this act! A car accident attorney can investigate and get to the root of the matter. If you can do this all by yourself, then it's a tall order. You will need more skill, time, patience, legal know-how and contacts to initiate such a thorough investigation. Hence, seeking the advice and guidance of an expert auto accident attorney is essential.
Generally, expert personal injury lawyers also accept auto accident lawsuits. You can ask for family recommendations for such an attorney. You must draw up a list of a few names, select the best one, and join hands with him/her.
Things you should keep in mind during the hiring process
Expert auto accident attorneys usually cover a wide range of problems. It varies from wrongful death, liability determinations, personal injury, and property destruction. Hence, when hiring an attorney, you must focus on the skills, experience, location, fee structure, and commitment.For instance, an auto accident attorney must know the national and state transportation laws and their guidelines. They should also know how to negotiate with insurance companies and other healthcare service providers. An auto accident attorney can also prepare and settle a legal case. You should also check the attorney's professional background and track his/her record and references.
Finally, an expert and decent auto accident lawyer will mostly accept the legal case based on contingency. They would take the legal issue on a "no-win-no-fee" condition. However, it is only possible if your attorney gets convinced of the merit of your auto accident legal matter. An attorney can decide based on his/her legal insight and years of experience. Hence, you should always determine the general fee structure of an expert attorney.
The perfect time to hire an auto accident lawyer
You should hire the best auto accident lawyer to avert any costly errors. The ultimate deadline for filing personal injury claims differs from one state to the other. However, since you must pay the medical bills and compensate for the lost earnings, it is best to appoint this lawyer earlier. Typically, you should contact an attorney right after the accident. You should not delay it beyond a week or two. It is essential to hire an attorney before you want to settle the claims with an insurance company.Essential questions to ask Your Lawyer
You must ask the potential auto accident lawyer pertinent questions before you say the final yes. This is why you go through the selection process very carefully. Don't be in a rush. You must give yourself ample time to learn more about the lawyer and their expertise. Otherwise, you might be trapped with a lawyer who can't do good for you.Generally, these questions revolve around his/her work experience and professional records. These questions would also be related to the personal factors that you'll have in mind when hiring your auto accident lawyer, or any lawyer, for that matter.
Some of the crucial queries are:
- How many legal car accident cases did the attorney accept so far?
- What is the general settlement range for legal issues that is the same as yours?
- What is the professional experience of the attorney with a particular injury?
- What is their standard fee structure?
- How much of your auto accident legal case will the attorney manage?
- What are the out-of-pocket costs you are accountable for?
That is not all. Different lawyers have different requirements concerning the costs. Above all else, getting into a detailed discussion about the fees is essential.
Few auto accident attorneys expect a 40% advanced payment, even when your legal case has the merit to win. There are also those lawyers that don't ask for any payment upfront, as their fee is based on a contingency fee schedule. This means that they'll only charge you an amount when a favourable settlement already comes out of your case and monetary compensation has been paid to you by the erring party. Else, the lawyer doesn't charge anything. Considering this; an auto accident case also involves other costs that only you must incur. You need to ensure that the lawyer fees and additional charges should get you into a financial burden. Finally, one essential piece of advice is ensuring the lawyer has a good reputation and client feedback. You can derive this from client testimonials and feedback. Make sure to check online reviews and then make your final decision.
FAQs About Accident or Personal Injury Cases
1. What is a personal injury?
Personal injury, like a car accident, is a legal term that applies to bodily injury and mental or emotional pain and suffering sustained by a victim. It's a tort lawsuit wherein the person who files the suit has suffered harm.2. Why is the advantage of hiring a local personal injury lawyer?
One advantage of hiring a local personal injury lawyer is the local expertise. For instance, a Miami car accident lawyer already knows the existing state laws in Miami and has a broad network of connections that can influence the case.3. What is the first thing you must do after a car accident?
More than anything else, your safety must be your number one priority. That's why you must move into a safe area before calling 911, the emergency service, the police, and your personal injury lawyer.4. Is it advisable to take photos or videos of the car accident scene?
To create substantial evidence beneficial when filing a claim, it's smart to take photos or videos of the incident scene. If you can't take pictures because of your condition, have your companion or a bystander do it.5. Can I refuse to give any statement after an accident?
Yes. You can refuse to talk or give a statement right after an accident because you might still be shocked. You may say words that can incriminate yourself and get recorded in videos that can be used against you.6. What does the statute of limitations mean?
The statute of limitation is the time frame for any person to file a personal injury case. It starts from the date of the accident or the time the victim realized the damages or noticed the first signs and symptoms of an occupational hazard, product defect, medication error, incorrect surgery procedure, or anything that caused harm.Final Word
Meeting a car accident is never an instance that one would like to happen in their life. But,unfortunately, this isn't something that one would generally have complete control over. Car accidents can happen at any given time. So, the most you can do along that line is to be prepared.
Here, you've learned that when the situation warrants it, having an auto accident attorney by your side is one of the best possible solutions. Remember these guidelines for you to know you're hiring no one else less than the best.
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