Road accidents are common these days and a large number of people get injured due to the negligence of others. The results can be unfortunate as the victims not only face grave physical injuries but financial losses as well. In adverse cases, there may be permanent disabilities and loss of employment too. However, victims who suffer injuries because of another party’s negligence need to know their rights well enough. They can claim compensation under personal injury law and get their lives back on track.
But things are not as easy as they sound because insurance companies do everything they can to avoid compensating the victims. Even if they do accept the claim, the amount is seldom enough to cover the losses. The best thing that you can do is to have a qualified accident lawyer negotiating with them. Everything, therefore, boils down to choosing a professional you can trust because only someone good enough can get you the claim you deserve. When you choose a lawyer for your case, here are some mistakes that you should avoid.
Mistake #1: Not prioritizing domain experience
Personal injury law is a complex stream of law just like any other. It has its own norms that a lawyer needs to understand thoroughly to get you a favorable result for your case. If you do not hire someone with the relevant experience, you will end up losing the compensation you deserve. When you hire a professional, ask them about their experience in handling negotiations as well as trial cases.
Dealing with insurance companies is a crucial aspect of accident compensation cases and your lawyer needs to have enough experience with them. At the same time, negotiations and settlement may not always work out and the case may go to trial in the court of law. Comprehensive experience with both the situations, therefore, becomes mandatory for a lawyer.
Mistake #2: Not reviewing their track record
Another grave mistake that you may make while choosing a lawyer is not doing a background check on their track record. Someone who has been in the industry for several years but not having enough successful cases to their credit would not be an apt choice. Rather, you need to collaborate with a professional who has a great track record.
It is better to find a lawyer who has handled cases similar to yours and helped the victims get the compensation they deserve. Ask them about the kind of cases they have handled and the amount of compensation they have secured for the clients, both by negotiation and trial.
Mistake #3: Not cross-checking reviews and references
Just going by the claims that a lawyer makes on the website or ads is a blunder because everything they advertise may not be true. Rather, ask people for references and prepare a list of the most reputed car accident attorneys in your area. Someone who has already availed their services would be in the best position to tell you about their skills and service quality.
Similarly, you should also go through the online reviews of the real clients to get an idea about the professional’s expertise. A majority of people share their reviews on service providers these days. You just need to Google search and you will get a complete picture of what people have to say about a lawyer. This is a good way to decide whether you should entrust your case to a professional.
Mistake #4: Choosing someone who promises too much
The calculation of accident compensation is a complex task. It includes the amount spent on your medical expenses and damages to your vehicle. Additionally, you can also claim the cost of pain and suffering along with the loss of income due to permanent disability. You need to sum up these factors to calculate an amount that you can claim from the insurance company.
The compensation amount that you calculate needs to be a realistic one. If a lawyer makes a tall claim and promises to get you a huge sum as compensation, he or she is probably taking you for a ride. Moreover, no one can predict the amount that you will get at the end of negotiations or trial. Don’t hire someone who appears unrealistic with their claims.
Mistake #5: Not considering their availability and mode of communication
When you avail of legal services, you expect the professional to be available whenever you need their advice. Not considering their availability on the fly is another mistake that you should avoid making while you hire an accident attorney. After all, you would not want to wait for weeks for an appointment when you are stressed out now.
Do check out about the mode of communication they follow before you finalize a lawyer to handle your case. Someone you can connect with at any time is a good choice. Find out whether you can reach out and connect via means like a phone call, email, and Skype.
Mistake #6: Settling for someone who costs less
Of course, you will be pressed for money after an accident considering the cost of medical treatment and loss of income. But settling for someone who is not good enough just because his or her services are cheap is the biggest blunder you can make. You may save some money but end up losing your compensation completely or getting only a minimal amount.
Rather than finding a cheap lawyer, look for someone who works on contingency fees basis. This means that you pay them only when you get your claim. By choosing such a professional, you get the advantage of having the best lawyer for your case without paying anything from your pocket. You pay their fees only out of the compensation amount that you get after the settlement of the case.
Avoiding these mistakes while hiring an accident lawyer can land you with the smartest professional. They will keep you completely stress-free while ensuring that you get the claim you deserve. Whether it is about negotiations with the insurance company or handling a court trial, they will have you fully covered.