Were you recently involved in a car crash in the Brooklyn area? Don’t wait to call for help. Otherwise, you could miss the chance to fight for compensation.
You’ll have to pay for your medical bills, property damage, and other expenses out-of-pocket. If the other driver was negligent and caused the crash, you could have a case. With the best auto accident lawyer at your side, you can gain the compensation you’re due.
There are now over 135,000 personal injury attorneys in the US. You’ll need to plan to narrow down your options.
Otherwise, you could end up with someone who lacks the experience necessary to win your case.
Here are seven tips to consider when hiring an attorney. With these tips, you can find the perfect car accident lawyer for your case.
Start your search with these seven simple tips today.
1. Make a List
First, consider talking to friends and family members in Brooklyn, New York. Ask if they’ve hired an auto accident lawyer in the past. If they have, ask about their firsthand experience. Nowadays, most people are so busy they rely on google searches and google reviews to decide. Here are some questions you should ask your attorney.
For example, you can ask:
- What is their qualification as a professional personal injury car accident lawyer?
- Are they knowledgeable about car accident law?
- Will they give your case the attention it deserved
- Did they experience any issues in the past getting settlements
- How many people hire them again
- How are their google reviews (4.5+ means they are a good attorney)
If your friends and family can’t refer you to a car accident lawyer, that’s okay. Ask if they’ve hired a lawyer for other purposes instead. For example, maybe they had their will drafted.
Then, ask what law firm they hired. You might find the law firm has personal injury lawyers you can speak with.
Otherwise, visit your local bar association website. Explore the Martindale-Hubbel directory online, too. These resources can help you build a list of options.
Then, you can use the rest of these tips to narrow down your choices.
2. Look for Experience
While you’re online, learn more about each lawyer’s professional history.
First, determine how long they’ve practiced law. Consider how many cases they’ve handled in that time, too. An experienced lawyer will have an easier time handling your case.
Make sure their experience and expertise are relevant to your case as well.
You might find a personal injury lawyer with years of experience. Personal injury lawyers handle multiple cases, including:
- Auto accidents (car, motorcycle, Lyft/Uber, bike, etc.)
- Product liability
- Premise liability
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and falls
- Liable and slander
Make sure their experience is relevant to your case.
What kind of vehicle accident were you involved in? When hiring an attorney, it’s important to make sure they have the experience you need. They’ll have a better understanding of the laws and procedures involved in your case.
Make sure they have years of courtroom experience, too.
How many cases have they handled that went to court? What was the outcome of those cases?
You don’t want to end up with a lawyer who is apprehensive about entering a courtroom. They’ll struggle to argue your case in front of a judge and jury. They might even accept a lowball offer to avoid going to court.
Instead, choose a lawyer with the experience and expertise you can count on.
3. Read Reviews
You can learn more about each car accident lawyer on your list by reading reviews.
Check the Better Business Bureau and Google My Business listings for each law firm. Try to read a handful of reviews from each resource. Check the lawyer’s website for testimonials as well. Note: Nowadays, most people go online to bent about bad experiences; this is why as long as the lawyer has 4.5+ average Google reviews, they are probably in the top 10% of their industry, so go ahead and give them a call.
You might find one or two negative comments. That’s normal. Consider why they received negative reviews.
If the negative comments outweigh the positive reviews, scratch that lawyer off your list. Instead, look for someone with a strong professional reputation.
4. Check Their Track Record
Before filing a car accident lawsuit, you’ll want to make sure you have a winner at your side.
Ask each lawyer on your list how many cases they’ve handled that were similar to yours. What was the outcome of those cases? Then, consider how many cases they’ve won versus lost.
Asking about their track record will help ensure you have a capable lawyer at your side. If they’ve struggled to win a vehicle accident lawsuit in the past, look elsewhere.
Otherwise, they might struggle when building your case, too.
5. Schedule a Consultation
As you start narrowing down your options, schedule a consultation with at least three lawyers on your list.
Look around the law firm. Is it clean and organized? Is the staff professional and friendly?
During your consultation, ask any questions you weren’t able to find answers to online. Pay attention to how the lawyer speaks. Are they confident and easy to understand?
Remember, they’ll end up speaking on your behalf. Make sure they’re a strong communicator.
6. Look for Availability
Ask each lawyer you speak with about their current caseload. Are they able to dedicate time and attention to your case? If not, they might hand you off to another lawyer.
Otherwise, they might juggle too many cases at once. They might miss an important deadline or neglect your case altogether.
Ask who will end up working on your case. Make sure that the auto accident lawyer has the experience you need. Otherwise, they might drop the ball.
7. Ask About Pricing
Car accidents cost the US about $242 billion each year.
During your consultation appointment, ask each lawyer you speak with about their fee structure. Many lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. They’ll ONLY ask for payment if they win your lawsuit.
The best part is that they will take their fee from a portion of your winnings, making it a win-win. They need to win to get paid.
Some auto accident injury lawyers work based on a flat or hourly rate.
Don’t make your choice based solely on price. Instead, review your notes. Make sure you’re choosing an experienced, qualified lawyer.
You’ll have peace of mind knowing you have an experienced professional at your side.
Drive Toward Compensation: Find the Perfect Auto Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t hire the first auto accident lawyer in Brooklyn, New York you call. Instead, use these tips to vet your options. With these tips for hiring a lawyer, you can choose the best attorney for your case.
They’ll help you fight for the compensation you’re due.
Ready to discuss the specifics of your case? We’re here to help.
Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
