The Best Lawyer for Car Accidents

When you’ve been involved in an accident, you might not know where to turn for help. For many people, the first thought that comes to mind when dealing with car accidents and other motor vehicle incidents is a personal injury lawyer. 

But how do you know if your attorney is truly the best? Here are some tips to help you find the best car accident lawyer in your area who will work hard to get you fair compensation after an accident.

Finding the Right Lawyer

When it comes to car accidents, there are two things to keep in mind: 1) you need a good lawyer, and 2) even a good lawyer will tell you he/she can't guarantee results. 

It’s critical that you find a law office car accident attorney you trust and feel comfortable with. If you do, and if he or she is reputable, getting legal help should be a smooth process – something that’s pretty rare in cases like these. 

At the bottom, lawyers are people who have studied law but have never been behind the wheel of an actual vehicle.

Ask Around

If you’ve been in a car accident, ask around and see which lawyer people recommend. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find a good attorney. 

Attorneys who handle car accidents on a regular basis will often have names floating around in their clients’ social circles. 

Talk to friends, family members, and co-workers who may have had similar accidents to see if they know of any recommendations for attorneys in your area. 

Also, check out online reviews for specific lawyers or larger law firms and inquire about what you can expect from them once an accident has occurred.

Interview Lawyers

How did you get started in personal injury law? What sets your practice apart from other lawyers? How much do you charge and what services do you offer clients? 

How many car accident cases have you worked on, and how many have resulted in jury verdicts or settlements? 

What types of cases can your office take on, and what does your firm specialize in (e.g., are you focused on a specific type of case, such as slip-and-fall cases or worker's compensation claims)? 

Can clients call to discuss their case with someone at your office or will they only be able to reach an answering service? 

Would any local attorney refer clients to your firm if they didn't handle a particular type of case, such as family law matters or criminal defense work?

Check Reviews

It’s hard to trust an attorney without knowing anything about them. A smart first step is checking out their reviews online. 

Does your desired lawyer have a page on Google Plus? Is there a Yelp page or a Facebook page? If so, what are people saying about them? If they have any reviews on social media, read through them and determine if you can trust what people are saying (don’t believe everything you read). 

Looking at these reviews will give you insight into how your potential lawyer interacts with others and give you more information to help with your decision.

Look for Specialization

Finding a car accident lawyer is key. A good, experienced attorney will be able to help you determine who’s at fault and how best to move forward with your claim. 

While many law firms handle car accident cases, look for a personal injury law firm that specializes in auto accidents and has experience dealing with insurance companies and their tactics. 

These lawyers also tend to have established relationships with other medical professionals like chiropractors or massage therapists, who can also help you with post-accident relief. 

They may even have a network of providers they work with regularly and can recommend.

Get Referrals from Other Lawyers

The best way to find a good car accident lawyer is by getting referrals from people you trust. A lawyer with a good reputation can be invaluable, especially if they have experience in personal injury law and managing cases through settlement or trial. 

In addition to asking family and friends, many people also turn to social media sites like Yelp or Avvo to gauge a business’s quality. 

You can read reviews, see ratings, and even ask questions of past clients directly on these sites; just keep in mind that not every review is honest and some are downright fake! In short: Do your research before meeting with any potential lawyer.

Use Websites

Use a lawyer-finder website to find a local attorney who specializes in car accidents. Here are three of our favorites: 1. 2, 3. 

You can also ask friends or family if they know a good car accident lawyer who has worked with them before and check Yelp reviews or Google reviews to see what others say about these lawyers’ performance and professionalism.

Hire a Law Firm, Not Just an Attorney

When you need a car accident lawyer, your best bet is to find a law firm that specializes in these kinds of cases. 

Don’t just hire an attorney; look for a law firm. Ask around—perhaps you have friends or family who has been in similar situations—and they should be able to steer you in the right direction. 

You’ll usually get better service and experience if you go with a law firm that focuses solely on one type of case (in your situation, it would be car accidents). 

Although attorneys are important, remember that hiring someone who has experience with your particular situation will ensure things go as smoothly as possible.

Don’t Confuse Best with Most Expensive

If you are seeking to hire a lawyer, you may be tempted to choose someone based on their hourly rate alone. 

But it’s important to understand that price is not always an indication of quality—which is why it’s important to do your research. 

Many companies will offer cheap rates but end up costing much more in the long run due to poor service or unresponsiveness. 

What you want is the best value, so know what qualifies as such and compare providers accordingly. For example, if two lawyers have similar prices and experience, but one has better customer reviews than another, go with that one because they’re offering more bang for your buck . . . er . . . dollar.

Determine Whether to Hire an Attorney or Settle Out of Court

One of your first decisions, when involved in a car accident, is whether to hire an attorney or attempt to settle out of court. 

The best course of action will depend on your financial situation, how severe your injuries are, and whether you have evidence that another driver was at fault. 

If you don't have medical insurance and can't afford a lawyer but think you could win a settlement in court, don't ignore these factors; consider pursuing a settlement on your own. 

But if you're facing huge medical bills and don't expect to get better without costly treatment, it may be worth spending money on an attorney so he or she can help negotiate with insurers. 

Ultimately, it's up to you—just know that hiring an attorney doesn't necessarily mean paying more money out of pocket than settling yourself.