When you’re in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is the stress that comes with starting a legal case and fighting for justice, but it’s crucial that you start that process as soon as you possibly can. In fact, assuming your life is not in immediate danger and you’re capable of placing a phone call, a lawyer is the first person you should call.
However, you can’t just choose any lawyer. You need a lawyer who is going to fight for you and give you the best chance of winning.
Today, we’re going to go over some tips to choose the best car accident lawyer for your case.
1. Look at the Lawyer’s Pay Model
Lawyers can be paid in a couple of ways.
First, there’s an hourly rate option some lawyers use, and with that, you’ll be charged by the hour regardless of the outcome of the case, if you drop them, or anything else.
For many reasons, that’s not always a good idea.
However, there’s also the contingency method. This is when a lawyer is only paid if you win your case. If you lose, you’re not responsible for it. They absorb the loss.
This is the best option for most people because legal costs can be expensive. However, it also means the lawyer is going to be a lot pickier when it comes to the cases they take on. If they don’t believe in your case, they won’t take it.
2. Look for a Lawyer with Experience in Your Type of Accident Case
Every accident is different, and there are nearly endless factors that can affect how a case will turn out, but they do tend to fall into a short list of categories. You want to prioritize finding a car accident lawyer with experience with cases similar to yours.
This experience will ensure that they know how to navigate the specific situations that will inevitably be relevant to your case. Even if they have general experience and great qualifications, this specialized knowledge can often mean the difference between barely winning a case or sending you home empty-handed.
3. Always Check the Lawyer’s Portfolio
A lawyer is somewhat like an artist. They’ll keep their most notable cases recorded in a portfolio that they can show off and market their abilities with.
This is important for our last tip, and it’s crucial to look at it in general.
Their portfolio will give you a good idea of the types of cases they’ve worked on, how well they performed in very difficult circumstances, and generally how good they are at their job.
Most lawyers will proudly guide you through their portfolio if you ask during your initial consultation.
4. Have a Consultation
Before you commit to an agreement of any kind, you need to have a 1-on-1 consultation with any lawyer you’re considering.
This is crucial for some of the tips we’ll provide you with later, and it’s generally best to meet someone before you trust them with an extremely important, possibly life-changing, task.
Consultations are typically free, but some lawyers do charge. So, know what you’re going into before you agree to do anything.
5. Choose a Lawyer You Get Along With
This sounds like an odd tip because you certainly don’t need to become best friends with your lawyer or anything to that degree. They’re a professional, and you’re paying for a service.
However, the lawyer you choose is going to be an intimate part of your life for the foreseeable future, and they will learn lots of personal information about you. They will also help you through one of the most stressful points in your life.
So, they need to be someone you’re comfortable talking to and can genuinely trust to do their job well.
6. Win History
A lawyer’s history of winning isn’t as important as you’d think. Many cases never get far into a trial before they’re settled outside of court. So, if you’re only looking at a lawyer’s “win” rate, you could be passing up great lawyers.
However, this is still a useful statistic to look at.
If a lawyer has a history of winning cases similar to yours, that is a good sign that they can effectively navigate the courtroom and win you the case.
8. Ensure They Work in Your Court System
Court systems differ from state to state and even judge to judge. A lawyer with an extensive background in a small Texan county who just moved to New York City might be able to do great in terms of fighting by the books, but they don’t have the same relationships in the court system, they don’t know what to expect from different judges or competing lawyers, and they are at a disadvantage until they’ve had time to gain that experience.
As such, you should look for a lawyer who has been serving the community your case is in for a considerable amount of time.
9. Determine How Established They are in the Area
Not only should your lawyer have a history representing clients in your situation in your area, but they should also be fairly well established with plenty of connections.
A lawyer does more than you think. They gather evidence that even you didn’t think about, they work with insurance companies to get you the help you need while you wait for the case to complete, and they bring in resources such as expert witnesses to help prove your case in ways that you simply couldn’t on your own.
A lot of that requires them to have healthy relationships in the area and people they can turn to as resources.
10. Check for Conflicts of Interest
Finally, one thing many people forget to do is check for conflicts of interest. Is the lawyer you’re considering someone you’ve had a negative experience with in the past? Are they attached to a negative experience like a divorce or defending someone you were in a wreck with in the past?
Those things can affect your case. Even positive connections can negatively impact your case such as having a relative or someone who the defendant has a history with representing you.
Let DeSalvo Law Handle Your Car Accident Case with Confidence
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and need legal support, The Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo is here to help. With extensive experience in car accident cases, we are dedicated to ensuring you receive the compensation and justice you deserve. We understand the complexities of personal injury law and are committed to fighting for your rights every step of the way.
Don’t navigate the legal process alone—let us provide the expert guidance and representation you need. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward resolving your case.
