After an injury-causing car accident, you might be wondering what the next steps are. You may be inclined to go ahead and settle the case on your own, trusting the insurance company you’re dealing with to play fair. Don’t make that mistake. Insurance companies are always trying to settle your case for as little as they possibly can.
They forget important factors like on-going medical treatment, compensation for missed work, and even pain and suffering. Finding the best lawyer for a car accident claim means getting the compensation you need to move forward and holding the right person responsible for your injuries.
Hiring a car accident lawyer may seem like a tough process, but we’ve got a few tips that can help along the way.
Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer – 6 Tips
1 – Find someone with experience
You don’t want an attorney who focuses in another area to take on your car accident case. The fact is, these cases are nuanced and require a lawyer who knows the process.
Personal injury cases are complicated and require understanding and anticipating specific challenges when they arise.
One of the most important responsibilities of a car accident attorney is the ability to accurately calculate the value of your claim and negotiate the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Another essential part of an attorney’s experience is their track record of success. The best lawyer for a car accident claim will have a history of obtaining favorable judgments for their clients.
2 – Hire an Attorney Who Will Work Directly For You
It’s easy to hire a giant, even national firm that spends millions on advertising. But you may find that you’re passed around from paralegal to paralegal and that you rarely deal with an actual attorney. At Bensinger Legal Services, we provide clients with high-level service.
When you meet with potential attorneys, remember how they communicated with you. Did they take the time to explain the car accident claim process? Did they address your specific concerns?
Finding an accident attorney means knowing your best interests are in mind so you can focus on your recovery. Here, you’re not just another case number. It’s important to find an attorney who cares.
3 – Find Someone Local
You want an attorney who is familiar with the Court system where the accident occurred. Again, trusting a national firm can be risky. They may even have to subcontract your case to a local attorney. Different courts may have different rules and procedures.
A lack of knowledge of these local requirements creates an unnecessary delay in your case and prolongs your getting the compensation you need. An attorney who is far from the area where you live could also make it difficult for you to reach them promptly.
You need someone who will get back to you when you need them without making you wait unnecessarily.Â
4 – Start Right Away
Don’t even talk to the car insurance company you’re dealing with without hiring an attorney first. This can help get the ball rolling quickly and may even help you avoid costly mistakes.
Insurance adjusters will try to offer you an initial settlement offer to entice you to drop any potential case. While the prospect of getting some money may be appealing, it’s unlikely that these initial offers will cover even a fraction of the possible damages you may be entitled to recover.
Additionally, you may believe you have plenty of time to consider when to file your lawsuit. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years from the date your injuries occur.
Two years may seem like a significant amount of time, but this period can come and go quickly. Speak to an attorney immediately to ensure you never miss your right to seek justice.Â
5 – Don’t Pay for a Case Review
Most personal injury attorneys will offer free consultations for your car accident case. This is certainly true at Bensinger Legal Services. We’ll review your case and provide you with the best course of action to take moving forward.
When you speak with a potential attorney, ask them about their fee structure. Most attorneys in personal injury law work on a contingency fee basis. Contingency means your attorney doesn’t collect any fees unless they secure a judgment or settlement on your behalf.
They are paid a percentage out of those proceeds. Ask for clarification on whether there are any case-related expenses, including court filing costs or costs associated with obtaining police or medical reports.Â
6 – Hire a Lawyer with Trial Experience
Aaron Bensinger has extensive experience taking cases to trial. This is exactly what you want to look for in a lawyer. The truth is, not all cases settle out of court, and you want someone ready for trial is that’s the ultimate outcome.
Litigating a case at trial requires extensive preparation and knowledge of the court documents needed to keep your case moving within the court system. When it comes to how to find a lawyer for a car accident, you also want to make sure your attorney has the skills to convince a judge or jury of the true extent of your losses.
In a trial, these parties award the damages they believe you suffered. You may be entitled to compensatory damages in the form of economic and noneconomic damages for losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
In some instances, your attorney may pursue punitive damages, which punish the defendant for their reckless conduct in causing your injuries. These exemplary damages can further assist you on your road to recovery.Â
7 – Referrals
When finding an accident attorney, research their reputation online. Past clients can be an excellent source of information on how respected and successful a potential attorney is in your community.
Additionally, friends and family can provide valuable reviews for attorneys they enjoyed working with and who got them the results they needed when it mattered most. An attorney may also come well recommended by their peers in the community.
Many lawyers have relationships with other attorneys who work outside their practice field and can narrow your search for the best lawyer after a car accident.
After a serious car accident, your best option is to reach out to Bensinger Legal Services as soon as possible. Let our team worry about your case while you focus on recovery.
Contact Us
When it comes to how to find a good accident lawyer for your case, Bensinger Legal Services is here for you. With extensive experience navigating personal injury cases in Ohio, attorney Aaron Bensinger is dedicated to providing his clients with the best legal representation possible.
With the energy to fight insurance companies, Bensinger Legal Services will never hesitate to take your case to trial. We focus on ensuring that each of our clients receives the compensation they deserve despite the efforts of insurance companies to say otherwise.
A car accident can derail your life, and we want to help you get your life back. Contact us today at (419) 455-1410 or email for a free case review to learn more about how Bensinger Legal Services can help you.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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