Car Accident Attorney

The number of lawyers in the US has increased by 6.6% between 2012 and 2022. There are now over 1,338,678 lawyers throughout the country. If you’re looking for a promising car accident attorney, then you’ll need to manage to narrow that list down. With that being said, don’t rush to hire the first lawyer who appears promising. Instead, take the time to avoid common mistakes individuals make when hiring a car accident attorney for the first time.

Otherwise, you could hire a lawyer who lacks the experience and expertise you need and drop the ball when handling your case. Here are seven mistakes to avoid when weighing your options. By dodging these issues, you can increase your chances of a successful outcome.

1. Not Considering Their Specialty

There are over 135,000 personal injury lawyers and attorneys throughout the US. However, not every lawyer will have the expertise you need. In fact, personal injury attorneys handle an array of cases, with auto accidents being the most common.

Additionally, you can even break these categories down into subcategories. For example, an automobile accident attorney might handle car, motorcycle, bike, truck, and Uber/Lyft cases. When reviewing your options, don’t make the mistake of hiring a lawyer who doesn’t specialize in a specific subject. Instead, choose a candidate based on their area of expertise.

Regarding traffic collisions (automobile, bike, motorcycle, rideshare), look for an attorney who specializes in car accident cases. Make sure their expertise is relevant to your specific case, too. If your car accident involved an Uber or Lyft driver, make sure to find an attorney who has handled similar cases in the past. Their previous experience can benefit you. Your lawyer will understand the laws and procedures relevant to your situation.

Otherwise, choosing a general lawyer might impact your chances of a successful case. A lawyer who lacks specific expertise might struggle with your lawsuit. They could make mistakes when arguing your case as well.

2. Failing to Look for Experience

It’s not enough to find a car accident attorney with the expertise you need. It’s also important to find an experienced attorney. As you interview different attorneys, ask each one about how long they’ve practiced law. Ask how long they’ve specialized in handling car accident cases, too.

Look for a lawyer who has years of hands-on experience. An experienced lawyer will understand the laws and procedures relevant to your case. Ask if they have any professional connections they can rely on, too. For example, did you sustain car accident injuries? It can help to have a medical expert on your case, as a doctor’s professional evaluation will assist in getting you proper compensation for your injuries.

Ask each lawyer how many car accident cases they’ve handled in the past year. Ask how many cases they’ve won, too. When comparing attorneys, it helps to know you’re partnering with a candidate who has a high success rate. You’ll have more peace of mind knowing you’ve hired someone capable of handling your case. If they don’t have a strong track record, continue researching a better option.

Ultimately, hire someone with years of experience, a strong network, and a proven track record.

3. Hiring in a Hurry

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when hiring a car accident attorney is making an abrupt decision. Don’t hire the first lawyer you find online. Some options may appear to be a good fit but fail to deliver in the end. While there is a statute of limitations to file a car accident claim, it is important to take your time when researching the best attorney for you.

Use these tips to vet your options. Ask each lawyer for references and reviews. Try to speak with a client who had a case that was similar to yours. As you speak with each client, ask them about:

Whether or not the lawyer was knowledgeable
Any issues that were experienced while working with that attorney
How those problems were resolved
If the lawyer kept them up-to-date regarding the progress of the case
How strong of a communicator thor attorney was

Ask about the outcome of the case, as well. While former clients may not feel comfortable sharing their settlement amounts, you can ask if they were satisfied with the outcome. Remember, you’ll want to find a capable, talented lawyer for your case. So, complete honesty is important.

You can also find references and reviews online. Look at the law firm’s Better Business Bureau, Google listing, or Yelp page. Read as many positive and negative reviews as you can find.

4. Believing Guarantees

Ask each lawyer what outcome they expect for your case. Pay attention to the promises they make. Don’t choose a lawyer who makes any guarantees about your case. They can’t predict what will happen. Confidence is great. However, making immediate promises can be a red flag. Instead, they should provide you with a list of potential outcomes. A good car accident attorney should also review the details of your case (before making any guarantees) including your:

Lost wages
Medical bills, treatments, and medications
Property damage
Pain and suffering

They’ll need these details to calculate your losses. Your lawyer should help you remain realistic. If they make guarantees that seem too good to be true, look elsewhere.

5. Paying Upfront

Don’t make the mistake of paying a car accident attorney upfront. There are too many people out there who will try to scam you. They might not work on your case if you pay them beforehand. Instead, ask each lawyer about their fee structure. Ideally, choose someone who works on a contingency fee basis.

6. Hiring Based on Price

While reviewing your options for attorneys, ask each lawyer how much their services will cost. Make sure to ask each lawyer for a copy of their contract, too. Then, start comparing attorneys’ fees. Don’t make the mistake of hiring the cheapest option. Instead, use these tips to find someone with the experience and expertise you need.

7. Choosing a Busy Car Accident Attorney

Before choosing a car accident attorney, ask each one about their current schedule. Do they have time to handle your case? If they’re handling too many cases at once, look elsewhere. They might struggle to dedicate time and attention to your case otherwise.