If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be facing substantial medical bills. Seeking recompense through a lawsuit or insurance claim is a stressful affair to handle alone. Your battle becomes easier with a good car accident attorney in your corner; the emphasis here is on the word good. Unfortunately, there are many sub-par lawyers around: here are seven key qualities to look for when choosing a car accident lawyer in San Antonio or anywhere else.
7 Qualities to Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer
Almost all car injury lawyers offer free consultations, which makes it easier to decide. If you interview several lawyers with the right preparation and questions in mind, you’re likely to make a good choice. Keep an eye out for the following seven qualities, and don’t be afraid to ask any question you like. After all, it’s your health and finances on the line.
1. No Expenses Charged to the Client
You’ll usually see “no fee if no recovery” advertised by personal injury law firms. This means they’re only paid if they win a settlement for you, in which case they take a percentage of the recovered amount. And if they lose, you don’t need to pay them a dime.
Just make sure that this policy includes expenses. Every car accident case incurs various litigation expenses, including charges for medical records and physician reports, filing fees, expert witness fees, and more. Ensure that you, as the client, aren’t expected to cover these expenses throughout the case, even if you lose.
2. Extensive Relevant Experience
It’s best to find a lawyer who specializes in auto accident cases and who also has a great deal of prior experience with these kinds of cases. Ask how many years they’ve been doing it and how many cases they’ve had success with. Needless to say, you want a lawyer with a good track record of happy clients with large settlements.
3. They Try Lawsuits in Court
Most auto accident injury cases settle long before trial. Because of this, you might be surprised how many lawyers have little or no actual experience in a proper jury trial in court.
But if your lawyer is known for trying cases in court, you’re more likely to win a larger settlement sooner. This is because the defense lawyers and insurance companies involved know that your lawyer is ready and willing to take the fight to court if needs be.
4. They Show Interest in Your Case
You want a lawyer who’s supportive, engaged in your case, and eager to succeed. If you meet them and sense a lack of personal engagement or interest in your case, it’s not a good sign.
Such a disinterested lawyer may invest minimum effort into all their cases, aiming only to obtain a quick settlement. Instead of this, you want to find someone who’ll fight tooth and nail for the best settlement possible.
5. Crystal Clear Communication
Great lawyers communicate in a simple, straightforward way that’s really easy to understand. They’ll explain clearly how they can help you and what the entire process will entail. So, They’ll be extremely open and candid about their fees and expenses.
They’ll also answer any questions you have in a satisfying manner. During a consultation, if you feel confused or unsatisfied with their answers, that’s a sign that you’re not a good match.
6. Willingness to Provide References
During your search, every time you meet a lawyer, ask for a list of references that you can contact and talk to. Then take the time to call the references and ask about their experience.
Even if you don’t intend to contact the references, notice how willing or unwilling the lawyer is to provide the list. Their reaction might tell you all you need to know about that lawyer’s reputation and track record.
7. Good Reputation With Other Lawyers
Try to find out what other lawyers think of the lawyer you’re considering. There are online resources where personal injury lawyers rated based on what other lawyers say about them. You can browse peer-review rating systems at The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, which might help you find the better options in town.
Does Your Car Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Get Referrals From Other Lawyers?
The best sign of a lawyer’s good reputation with their peers is plenty of local referrals. You can ask a lawyer you’re interviewing what percentage of their business comes from the referrals of other lawyers in San Antonio. If you know anyone who works locally in law, ask for their opinion as well. You can also visit this page for guidance.
Seeking a settlement for your injuries doesn’t need to be a lonely journey. With these seven tips in mind, you’re sure to find an excellent car accident lawyer who can fight the battle beside you.
