If getting into a car accident isn’t stressful enough, what follows can be even more overwhelming: you will need to file a claim with the insurance company, and then prepare for a fight if you hope to get what you actually deserve as a settlement. Insurance companies generally have a unique advantage during these claims processes, because the person filing the claim is dealing with significant and sometimes catastrophic injuries that they need to be focusing on at the same time they are juggling this claim. This is one reason why insurance companies are so successful at convincing victims to settle for so much less than they deserve.
After you are injured and you watch the bills continue to grow, you will rihtfully be feeling a lot of anxiety and stress about your finances, so when the insurance company offers you a lump sum, your first reaction may be to accept. Unfortunately, this initial amount is likely nowhere near what you deserve, which is why you need to hire an attorney to help you fight for what you are actually entitled to. But finding the right attorney can be a stressful project on it’s own.
Fortunately, many law firms, such as the car accident lawyers Fasig and Brooks, offer free initial consultations for personal injury victims. These initial consultations are an important step in choosing the right attorney for your case. Take a look below at how to take advantage of these opportunities so that you can be confident in your decision when you do choose an attorney.
Ask For Past Results
One of the best ways to get an indication of the level of support and success you will get is by taking a look at a law firm’s past results. If a lawyer has a losing record or little experience with a case like yours, it may be an indication that they are not the right person for you to be working with. When a lawyer has a lot of experience with cases like yours, and a list of successes that you can reference, it can be a big help in making you feel comfortable about your decision to work with them.
Don’t Be Afraid To Talk About Money
The question at the center of your entire case is about money, so it should be at the center of your conversation with your prospective attorney, too. Ask about their fee structure and whether or not you will need to pay any out-of-pocket expenses during your work together. Many attorneys work on contingency fees, meaning that their clients will not need to pay unless they win, at which point the fee will be a percentage of the settlement.
Find a Lawyer That Makes You Comfortable
This is a difficult time in your life, and if you are relying on an attorney who you do not feel comfortable with to help you through, then you may simply be adding more anxiety into your day to day. Although it is not necessary that you have a rapport with your attorney to get the results you expect, it can make the entire process a lot more pleasant if you feel comfortable enough to ask uncomfortable questions and trust the answers that you get.
Read Online Reviews
Luckily, most accident lawyers have plenty of reviews that are publicly available online for you to take a look at. Of course, not every review tells the complete picture of the reviewers time with the lawyer, but if you take the time to read through a variety of reviews then you may be able to get a general sense of what many people have thought about their work with this attorney. A lawyer with poor reviews might turn out to be great for you, but the reviews likely indicate what you can expect with your own work as well.
