A car accident is not an inevitability, but with the increasing number of cars on the road and the prevalence of driver distractions like smartphones, their probability has increased significantly. If you are an attentive driver who obeys traffic laws and drives carefully, that will lower the odds that you will get into a car accident or cause one.
However, you could get involved in an accident caused by another driver, and if that happens then you will need a car accident lawyer to take care of the legal proceedings. If you are located in the Hillsborough County area of Florida then you should contact a Tampa car accident attorney for help. Before you choose a lawyer to represent you, there are some factors that you should consider before you decide if they are a good fit for you.
Experience
It might seem obvious that you should hire a car accident attorney when you get into a car accident, but some people might choose a lawyer they are familiar with even if that lawyer does not specialize in car accidents. A personal injury lawyer can be effective but it is best to find an attorney whose specialty is car accident cases. That is because they will be better equipped to handle your case. You should ask any potential lawyer how long they have been practicing in this area of law and how many cases they have handled in the past year. That will give you a good idea of their experience level in this field.
References and Recommendations
Any good lawyer should be willing and able to provide you with a referral list of past clients. Even if you decide not to contact those clients, just the fact that the lawyer is inclined to provide a list is a good sign. However, if the attorney does provide a list of referrals, then you should contact at least a few of them to find out how their case was handled as well as their level of satisfaction with that lawyer.
Communication
The lawyer you choose should keep a clear line of communication open to you and respond to your phone calls or emails in a reasonable amount of time. Before they take your case, they should give you comprehensible information about their fees and how they will approach the case. They should also be able to answer any questions you have in plain, layman’s language. They should keep you apprised of what is happening in your case so that you always know what stage you are at and what the next step will be. You should always have more answers than questions any time you deal with your lawyer.
Personality
This may initially seem like a shallow factor, but you will be spending a lot of time with your car accident attorney, so it is important that you both get along. Your lawyer does not have to become your new best friend, but you should be comfortable around each other. That means you should be at ease asking them questions or communicating with them in general.
Defiance Towards Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will always try to lowball accident victims after a car crash. You want a lawyer who will assist with your car insurance claim and is unwilling to settle for a smaller insurance payout than what you deserve. Your lawyer should also be willing to go to a trial and they should have experience in the courtroom. If you want to get the most from your insurance company, then you need a lawyer who is willing to stand up to them.
Hire the Right Lawyer for Your Case
If you want to have any hope of success in your car accident case, then you need to hire the right car accident attorney. Your attorney should be willing to fight for you and should always keep the lines of communication open with you. So take the time to find the right car accident lawyer and carefully consider all of the options available to you if you want the best chance of success in your case.
