Fenders and Faults

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(Newswire.net — December 29, 2017) — Ask a few dozen people who’ve been in car accidents and you’re in for some stories. From the other driver who curiously remembers things very differently, to the person who still hasn’t been able to get back to work since their back got screwed up, even minor car accidents end up being painful, confusing events. And the trauma is especially prevalent among those who didn’t get a good attorney.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

To you, in the driver’s seat, the scene seems pretty cut and dry. However, we don’t live in a world where legal matters can be easily determined or argued by the average person. For better or worse, state laws have massive influence over who is responsible and what your options are.

And if you do have grounds to sue, it definitely won’t be something you can take on yourself. In fact, many people are unaware of what their legal rights are in terms of what they can be compensated for. Think critically about what you’ve missed out on. What about your loved ones? Did your accident end up having an impact on their livelihoods as well?

Add to that the fact that many rules are set in place which make lawsuits a strict procedure – one misstep (even in the formatting of your paperwork) and your suit could be tossed. If you think the system is testing your will, you’re probably right.

Yet a car accident attorney doesn’t just know, they anticipate.

What to Look for in an Accident Lawyer

We’ve all seen the commercials and heard the radio ads. You’ll have no trouble finding someone to reach out to. But how do you know you’ve linked up to the best attorney for the case? Here are a few factors to think about.

One is focus, and this matters in a few ways. First, you need a lawyer who focuses on and has experience with personal injury and car accidents. You also need someone who has the time to focus on your case. If you don’t get a call back within a reasonable timeframe, or never get an update on what’s going on, it’s not a good sign. Ask directly what that attorney’s current caseload is like.

Along with experience, do a little investigating of your own to see how past cases have panned out. Does the attorney fight tooth and nail for their clients, or do they always do whatever they can to avoid a trial? Read any available reviews and get a feel for that firm’s reputation.

Don’t be afraid to make multiple calls and use your intuition to determine who sounds best before committing to that in-person consultation. If you have a lot at stake – and a potentially high amount of compensation to go for – you want to be confident in your decision.

If you’re just coming off of the trauma of an accident, keeping records and remaining firm in your resolve is understandably difficult. Between any other drivers, the police, and your own insurance provider, it can feel like no one really sees your side of things. That is exactly why a personal injury attorney or lawyer who specializes in car accidents exists – to make sure you’re heard, and that you get what you’re due.