Car accidents frequently lead to costly injuries that can have a long-term impact on your finances and quality of life. Fortunately, under Illinois law, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries — and a skilled car accident lawyer can make a significant difference in how this claim unfolds.
According to a Martindale-Nolo survey, 74% of car accident victims represented by an attorney successfully secured compensation for their claims — while just 54% of victims received damages without a lawyer. Still, it’s not always easy to know how to choose the right car accident attorney for your particular case. Here’s what you need to look for.
Understanding the Role of a Car Accident Lawyer
When you’re injured in a car accident, you can recover personal injury compensation through the other driver’s insurance policy. However, to achieve this, you need to do two key things. The first is to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident. The second is to collect proof of the damage to identify and argue for your case value.
Successfully recovering fair car accident injury compensation is difficult without negotiation skills and extensive knowledge of both personal injury law and insurance policies. A car accident lawyer is a type of personal injury lawyer who focuses specifically on helping injured individuals recover compensation in car accident claims.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can be the best way to recover fair compensation for your crash injuries.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve never had to hire a car accident lawyer before, it can come as a surprise how many things you need to consider. These are the key factors that can help guide you in choosing the right lawyer for your case.
Experience and Expertise
Nothing beats a lawyer with experience specific to your case type. You don’t want to hire a general personal injury lawyer; you want to hire a car accident lawyer who has a long track record of handling car accident cases. Checking a firm’s case results page is a good way to identify the types of cases they are successful in.
Reputation and Reviews
It’s also important to consider an attorney’s reputation and reviews. Reading online client reviews and checking for any disciplinary actions on record can help ensure you choose an upstanding attorney that past clients approve of.
Communication and Availability
You need to feel comfortable with your car accident lawyer, and you need to be able to get in touch with them. When you first contact a firm and go through your initial consultation, take note of how you’re treated and what their communication style is. You don’t want to hire a lawyer who’s overbooked or doesn’t respond to your questions promptly.
Fee Structure and Costs
Hiring a car accident lawyer is a financial commitment. You need to clearly understand the terms of your contract once you choose a lawyer. Ask how your lawyer handles payment, such as whether they work on contingency or charge hourly rates or a flat fee.
Resources and Support Staff
How many resources a firm has at its disposal can greatly strengthen your case. Ask questions about the lawyer’s process for handling a case, such as consulting with other attorneys at the firm, working with paralegals, or seeking out expert witnesses.
Location and Accessibility
Location and accessibility are also important factors to consider. Many car accident lawyers practice over a wide geographic area. You don’t want to have to drive an hour every time you need to meet with your attorney. An attorney who practices locally is also going to be more likely to be familiar with your local court system.
Steps to Take When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer
Once you know what factors you should be considering, it’s time to actually do the work of researching, attending consultations, and choosing a lawyer for your case. Here are the steps to take.
Research and Shortlist Potential Lawyers
When you’re ready to find car accident lawyers near you, the internet is your best starting point. A quick online search will produce top-rated car accident lawyers in your area. It’s best to look over several sites, comparing factors like case results, client reviews, and general information about a firm and the attorneys that work there.
Once you’ve identified lawyers who look promising and seem right for your case, make a list and narrow it down to a few you’d like to attend consultations with.
Schedule Consultations
You should never hire a car accident lawyer before meeting with them. Many car accident lawyers offer free consultations so that you can hear what a lawyer has to say about your case before you commit to hiring them. It’s a good idea to take notes on what each attorney tells you and anything you liked or disliked about their communication style.
Compare and Contrast
After you’ve attended consultations with your top picks, it’s time to select the best car accident lawyer for your case. Sometimes, there’s a clear winner. In other cases, you might have a hard time choosing between different lawyers. First of all, you should consider what each lawyer had to say about your options and likely outcomes.
As you compare and contrast attorneys, it’s also important to think about personality, communication style, and other personal factors. You want to choose one you’re compatible with, who explains things clearly, and is easy to get in touch with.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Unfortunately, people trying to choose car accident lawyers often overlook important warning signs that a lawyer may not be reliable. Red flags to watch out for include when a lawyer:
- Seems to lack experience
- Offers a case assessment that sounds too good to be true
- Makes promises about your outcome
- Is overbooked
- Doesn’t communicate well
- Uses high-pressure tactics
- Strikes you as being unethical or unreliable
If something seems off about a lawyer, you shouldn’t ignore your instincts. Keep looking until you find an attorney you can trust.
Call Our Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyers Today
A lawyer’s track record, accessibility, and resources are all important factors to consider in your search. Take your time as you narrow down your choices. Finding the right representation will be well worth your effort.
If you need help recovering car accident injury compensation in Southern Illinois, look no further than the seasoned team at Lawler Lawler Injury Law. We’ve recovered over one million dollars for injured clients. Schedule a consultation with us today.
