How to Choose the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is often messy. Between physical injuries, mounting medical bills, and missed time at work, it is often a very stressful time and. Making it worse, the person injured by the negligent driver typically has to deal with calls from the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster, trying to get them to slip up and say something that will damage their claim or convince them to accept a pitiful settlement before they even know the extent of their medical bills. All of this leaves people wondering what to do if you are injured in a car accident?
An experienced car accident attorney knows all the tricks played by the insurance industry and will push back against them to either negotiate a fair settlement or fight for a jury award in court. They will calculate the value of your claim and build a strong case. For these reasons and more, it is extremely important to choose a great motor vehicle accident lawyer to represent you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident and need legal representation, don’t settle for a sub-par accident lawyer. Make sure you understand what does a car accident lawyer do and conduct some research on personal injury attorneys who handle car accident claims in your area by reading reviews from their previous clients. Next, reach out to two or three to schedule a free consultation. The right law firm will respond in a timely manner and schedule a meeting with a personal injury attorney who can answer your questions and provide legal input about the best course of action.
So, how do you make sure you’re choosing the best car accident lawyer near me for your case? In this article, we lay out what to look for, red flags to avoid, and why the right attorney can make or break your claim.
Risks of Hiring an Inexperienced or Unmotivated Car Accident Attorney
Not all lawyers are created equal. The right lawyer can help you with what to do after a car accident, while hiring the wrong attorney can derail your claim, delay your compensation, or even result in losing a case that should’ve been a clear win. Here are just a few of the risks of hiring an inexperienced or unmotivated attorney for your auto accident case:
- Missed deadlines. Like all personal injury cases, car accident claims are governed by strict statutes of limitations. If your lawyer doesn’t know how long after a car accident can you claim injury? Or doesn’t care about getting you a good outcome, they are more likely to miss critical deadlines, which will prevent you from recovering any compensation at all.
- Poor negotiation skills. Insurance companies are skilled at reducing or denying claims because their primary objective is to protect their financial interests. An inexperienced or uncaring accident attorney may accept a lowball settlement just to close the case quickly—leaving you without the funds you need for long-term recovery and full compensation for your losses.
- Lack of trial readiness. The vast majority of car accident claims are settled out of court, but if your case goes to trial, you need a lawyer who knows their way around a courtroom. An attorney that lacks trial experience may be intimidated by litigation and pressure you to settle for less.
- Limited communication. If your attorney isn’t keeping you updated about the progress on your case, isn’t returning your calls, or explaining things clearly, you will likely be frustrated and even more stressed than if you hadn’t hired a lawyer to begin with.
How to Choose the Best Car Accident Attorney Near Me
Now that you understand what’s at stake, let’s take a closer look at the qualities that set the best car accident attorneys apart from the rest.
- Experience Handling Car Accident Cases
Would you hire a foot doctor to perform heart surgery? Of course not. So don’t hire a general practice lawyer to handle a car accident claim. You need someone with specific experience in personal injury and car accident law.
The best attorneys have handled hundreds—sometimes thousands—of car accident claims. They understand how to deal with uncooperative insurance adjusters, navigate complex liability issues, and maximize compensation for clients.
Example: Let’s say you’re hit while making a legal left turn at a green light, but the at-fault driver claims you “turned in front of them without enough time.” An experienced car accident attorney will know how to obtain intersection surveillance footage, analyze the timing of the traffic signals, and work with accident reconstruction specialists to show that the other driver was speeding or ran a red light to establish their liability.
- Proven Track Record of Success
Experience is very important, but results matter even more. When you meet with accident lawyers for an initial consultation, ask about their success rate with car accident claims. How many cases have they settled for maximum compensation? How many cases have they taken to trial and won?
A good attorney will be transparent about their record and proud to share it with you. Look for testimonials from past clients, published case results, and settlements or verdicts that reflect the lawyer’s ability to secure maximum compensation.
- Deep Knowledge of Local Laws
Car accident laws vary by state and sometimes even by city. Your car collision attorney should be well-versed in the local laws and court procedures where your accident occurred.
For instance, Washington State follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that compensation can be reduced if one party is partially at fault. A lawyer familiar with all relevant laws can give appropriate legal advice, challenge fault that has been wrongly assigned, and calculate the accurate value of your claim.
- Clear and Compassionate Communication
After an accident, you’re dealing with physical pain, emotional distress, and financial pressure. The last thing you need is to feel ignored or confused by your legal team. You shouldn’t have to chase your lawyer down for updates. A good car accident attorney prioritizes client communication. They listen carefully to understand all the details about your case, return calls and emails promptly, explain legal terms in plain English, and keep you informed throughout the process.
Pro tip: Don’t bother scheduling a consultation with a law firm that you have to chase down for an appointment. Also, during your initial consultation, take note of how the attorney treats you. Are they rushed? Dismissive? Or do they listen carefully and explain things clearly? This early interaction can be an indication of how your entire working relationship will unfold.
- Strong Negotiation and Litigation Skills
Most car accident cases settle out of court, but clients with cases that must proceed to trial to obtain fair compensation need a trial-ready lawyer. Insurance companies track which attorneys are willing to go to trial and which ones aren’t. If your attorney has a reputation for avoiding court, the insurance company may offer you less, knowing they won’t be challenged.
The best attorneys are confident negotiators who know how to apply pressure but are also prepared to litigate when necessary. This balance ensures you get a fair settlement or have a strong advocate in court if negotiations fail.
What Makes a Car Accident Lawyer Exceptional?
We’ve covered the technical skills and legal knowledge you should look for. But truly exceptional lawyers also exemplify additional traits and qualities.
Some of the qualities that make an exceptional car accident lawyer are the same ones that make a great person. A top car accident lawyer has integrity, putting your best interest ahead of their bottom line. They are honest in their dealings with you and they show empathy and understanding about the physical and emotional pain you’re going through.
In addition to these qualities, an outstanding car accident attorney should have great analytical skills for reviewing and analyzing medical records and police reports, building a strong car accident case, and creating persuasive arguments to support their client’s claim. They must also exhibit good judgment so they know when to keep negotiating and when to accept a settlement offer.
An exceptional car accident attorney will also have the respect of their peers and behave in a professional manner. Look for industry awards and reviews by their peers; watch for professional behavior including showing up to meetings on time, dressing in professional looking clothing, and speaking to you respectfully.
You know you’re in good hands when you find an attorney with all these qualities and skills.
Look For These Red Flags Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
It’s just as important to know what to avoid as it is to know what to look for when hiring a car accident lawyer. Here are a few red flags that should send you running:
- They Guarantee Outcomes
No lawyer can guarantee a win. If someone promises you a specific outcome, especially during your initial consultation, that’s a major red flag. It would be similar to a financial advisor guaranteeing 12% returns on your portfolio every single year. A good lawyer will be able to assess the value of your claim based on other recent, similar cases and convey reasonable confidence that they will be able to achieve a similar or better outcome.
- They Brag About Fast Settlements
Be wary of attorneys who brag about getting fast settlements. While a quick resolution can be beneficial, it shouldn’t come at the cost of full and fair compensation. The reality is that it often takes one to three years to resolve a car accident claim with the best possible outcome and rushing to settle before a full settlement can be negotiated or won in court is not something to be proud of.
- Lack of Transparency About Fees
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win. But the exact percentage and additional costs they charge, such as for expert witnesses and filing fees, should be clearly explained. If an attorney is vague about their fee structure or dodges questions about costs, you have a good reason to be cautious. Click here to learn more about car accident lawyer fees.
- High-Volume “Settlement Mills”
Some law firms handle hundreds or even thousands of cases at a time. These “settlement mills” focus on volume rather than quality. Their goal is to move cases through the system quickly, often settling for less than the client deserves so they can close the file quickly. Typically, these firms do a lot of national advertising and quickly pass clients off to paralegal secretaries. You may notice a lot of staff turnover. If you feel like just another case number, trust your gut, and contact a car accident attorney near me for more personal service.
- Poor Online Reviews or Disciplinary History
Before hiring any attorney, it is essential to look up their online reviews and check their standing with your state’s bar association. Are there complaints? Have they been disciplined for unethical behavior? Are past clients complaining about the same things over and over, such as poor communication or low settlements?
Online platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Google Reviews can offer valuable insights into how an attorney treats their clients.
Questions to Ask During a Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney
Your first meeting with a prospective attorney is your chance to gather as much information as possible. Here are some important questions to ask:
1. How many car accident cases have you handled?
A car accident lawyer fresh out of law school doesn’t have the experience required to be an excellent car crash attorney. Likewise, an attorney who rarely handles car accident cases. The best way to know how much experience a personal injury lawyer has with car accident cases is to ask how many they have handled.
2. What were the outcomes of cases you took on that were similar to mine?
Every car accident case is unique so it is important to choose an auto accident attorney with experience in cases similar to yours. For example, a multi-car pileup, a hit and run, and a drunk driving accident are all car accidents but require different knowledge to achieve the best settlement outcome. By asking about the outcomes of cases similar to yours, you will find out if they have experience in your type of case AND how successful they were in handling that type of case.
3. Will you personally handle my case or delegate it to someone else?
Large, out-of-town law firms often take on more cases than the attorneys can handle well and then delegate the work to their paralegal secretaries. While paralegal secretaries serve a vital role in all car accident cases, case strategy and negotiation should be handled by the attorney. You also want to ensure that the attorney will be available to meet with you and answer your questions. Do not let a law firm skirt around this question if you want the best care for your claim.
4. What is your fee structure? Are there any upfront costs?
This is an important question because most car accident attorneys charge for their services on a contingency fee basis, which means that the client owes nothing upfront or at all unless a settlement is recovered. The client pays their attorney through a percentage of the settlement. You will want to confirm whether this is the arrangement for the attorney you’re interviewing.
5. How often will you update me on the progress of my case?
Car accident cases often take one to three years to resolve so it’s natural to want updates on the progress of your case. It can be very frustrating to work with a legal team that doesn’t return calls or emails. By clarifying how often they will update you on the progress of your case, you should get an idea of their commitment to communicate.
6. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
Each case comes with its own challenges, some more complicated than others. By asking this question, you will get an idea of how honest and knowledgeable your potential attorney is about the type of car accident case you need handled.
7. Are you willing to take my case to trial if necessary?
This is a very important question to ask because not all personal injury lawyers have trial experience or are willing to take an accident claim to trial. To be fair, about 95% of car accident claims are settled out of court, but it is important to know that the lawyer you hire is able and willing to represent you at trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
The answers to these questions can help you compare candidates and make an informed choice.
The Difference a Great Car Accident Lawyer Can Make
A well-qualified local car accident attorney can mean the difference between a great and poor outcome for your car accident case. Consider this fictional example:
Client A is rear-ended by a distracted driver. She hires a big-name law firm she saw on TV, not knowing whether they are local or out-of-town. After the initial meeting by phone, her case is immediately handed off to a paralegal and she rarely hears from the actual attorney again. The firm encourages her to settle quickly, even though her medical treatments are ongoing. She ends up with $12,000, most of which goes toward her existing medical bills, while she has more bills incoming. She receives nothing for pain and suffering or lost wages.
Client B suffers the same kind of accident but takes the time to research attorneys. He chooses a local firm with strong reviews and a track record of success. His attorney fights for the full value of his claim, brings in medical experts to prove long-term damage, and is prepared to go to trial. The insurance company settles for $75,000 just before the court date.
This is the same accident with very different outcomes. Do not doubt the difference that a great lawyer can make.
Choose Wisely
After a car accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed as you deal with injuries, damage to your vehicle, and opening an accident claim. While it is a good idea to start looking for a car accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident to find the best car accident lawyer near me, it’s really important not to rush the selection process. The right attorney will support you through each stage of your injury claim and fight for the settlement you deserve, while the wrong attorney will add stress and leave you with a settlement that may not cover your losses.
Do your homework. Ask the right questions. And don’t be afraid to walk away from a lawyer who doesn’t feel like the right fit.
Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
