There are many different types of law. Lawyers who defend those who have suffered injuries and make sure they get the compensation they deserve are known as personal injury attorneys. They work on a wide variety of cases, from car accidents, to dog bites, to slip-and-fall cases. If you are injured and believe the injury was caused by someone else's negligence, this is the type of lawyer you call: a personal injury lawyer.
It is our hope that the posts on this blog serve to educate you and our other readers about personal injury lawyers and the work that they do.
If you are involved in a car accident that was caused by another driver and you sustain injuries, the best thing that you can do is hire a car accident lawyer right away. People who try to manage securing a settlement on their own might find the process difficult, especially when dealing with the other driver's insurance. Hiring a car accident lawyer can make the process easier and can benefit your case, getting you the best possible results in your favor. When hiring a car accident lawyer, avoid these common errors:
Not Understanding the Fees Before Signing a Contract
The vast majority of car accident lawyers work on contingency — this means that you don't pay them any money out-of-pocket for their legal services. Instead, car accident lawyers are compensated with a percentage of the insurance settlement that you receive, so you will need to be sure to factor this into your settlement. Each car accident lawyer determines what percentage of the settlement they will collect from you, the client. Thus, before you make the decision to formally hire a car accident lawyer, it is very important to understand the fee structure.
Hiring a Lawyer Who Doesn't Specialize in Car Accident Cases
Car accident lawyers fall under the umbrella of personal injury lawyers. While there are many personal injury lawyers who only take car accident cases, there are also personal injury lawyers who will take any type of personal injury case. However, a personal injury lawyer who does not specialize might not always be the best choice for your car accident case, particularly if you feel you have a unique case. Thus, you are might be better off selecting a lawyer who only takes car accident cases since they will understand exactly how to proceed with your case.
Neglecting to Know Exactly Who Will Be Representing You
One thing that many people do not realize is that, in some cases, senior partners will meet with prospective clients, but the client will actually be represented by a different car accident lawyer in the firm during the case. If you meet a car accident lawyer who you are comfortable with and has a great track record of securing settlements, make sure that you clarify who will be taking your case. Some people want to have a personal connection with their lawyer. Knowing who will be representing you can help prevent potential surprises down the road.
For more information about how a car accident lawyer can help you with your case, contact a local law practice.