5 Steps to Hire the Right Personal Injury Lawyer For A Car Accident [2022]

5 Steps to Hire the Right Personal Injury Lawyer: How to Choose Representation After a Car Accident

If you have experienced a personal injury in an automobile accident, then you need to find a lawyer as soon as possible. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly – you need to find the best auto accident injury lawyer to represent your case. In this article, we'll cover: methods for finding the right personal injury lawyer, and steps to choose the right one.

The practice of law has become highly specialized, so it's important to find someone who knows what they're doing. After reading this article, you will be more informed about personal injury law than most lawyers! By following these steps, you can be sure that you find the best auto accident injury lawyer to represent your case. Personal injury law is a complex area, so you need to make sure you have the best representation possible. Do your research and trust your gut – it will pay off in the end.

1. Find A Personal Injury Lawyer With The Right Car Accident Experience

The first step is to find a lawyer who has the right experience. As mentioned previously, you need a lawyer who practices personal injury law in the context of automobile accidents. Some personal injury lawyers have only a small experience with automobile accidents despite knowing a lot about personal injury law. The lawyer you choose should have specific experience with automobile accidents.

If your automobile accident arose while you were driving for work, then you may have a workers' compensation / auto accident crossover case. You should call for a free consultation to our office who handles these cases as well.

2. Choose A Personal Injury Lawyer With Knowledge of Local Rules and Judges

You want someone who has handled cases similar to yours at the courthouse where your case is brought. You definitely needs a lawyer licensed in the state where you are going to bring the lawsuit. Generally in the county where the auto accident took place. If you live in a big state with many courthouses like California, then you will seek local counsel who is aware of local courthouse rules and familiar with the judge and courthouse staff.

Don't hire a lawyer from another part of the state without considering their knowledge of local rules. Napolin lawyers cover all Southern California courthouses.

3. Ask Around With Friends and Family – Use In Conjunction with Online

One way to find this out is to ask around – talk to friends, family, and co-workers who have been in a similar situation. They will be able to give you some good recommendations. But remember that no two cases are alike. Just because one case has a certain outcome does not mean that your case will have a similar one. Keep in mind to ask about quality of representation and customer service, not just how much they got on their case. It is probably better to look online – many lawyers have websites where you can read about their experience and case results.

4. Set Up A Free Consultation (If Available) With Your Lawyer Options

Once you have a few names, the next step is to set up consultations with each one. This is your chance to get to know the lawyer and see if they are a good fit for you. Make sure to ask them about their experience, their success rates, and how they would handle your case specifically. Many lawyers offer free consultations, so take advantage of this if available.

Trust Your Gut

Ultimately, you need to trust your gut when choosing a personal injury lawyer. This is someone who will be representing you in a very important legal matter – so you need to feel confident in their ability to do so. If something doesn't feel right, then find someone else. But don't wait too long because you need someone protecting your legal right! Make the call today and start interviewing prospects.

5. Start Representation By Signing The Attorney-Client Agreement

If all signs are go, then you need to sign the written fee agreement with the personal injury lawyer. All signs are go when both the auto accident attorney and client agree during the free consultation (or afterwards) that attorney representation is proper and the firm is a good fit.

Get A Written Attorney-Client Fee Agreement

After you have chosen a personal injury lawyer to represent you, be sure to get a written fee agreement. This document will outline the lawyer's fees and how they will be paid. It is important to have this in writing so that there are no misunderstandings down the road. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

Don't Be Afraid To Negotiate The Attorney Fees

It is much more difficult to change the fee arrangement with the lawyer after work is completed on your case. If you want to negotiate anything in the Written Attorney-Client Fee Agreement, then you need to do so at the beginning right when you hire the lawyer and sign the agreement.

If you are not happy with the fee agreement, don't be afraid to negotiate. Remember, you are the one paying the lawyer – you have the power to negotiate! If you can't reach an agreement, then you can always find another lawyer. However, be aware that many lawyers have standard fee arrangements.

It may be that all the quality lawyers in the area charge similar fees. Consider this during the negotiation process over fees. Also keep in mind how the attorney reacts to your request for a fee reduction. If the lawyer is defensive and doesn't explain why they feel they will earn their fee, it could be a red flag.

These were 5 steps to hire the right personal injury lawyer for a car accident. Remember, this is an important decision – so take your time and choose wisely! If you have questions or want to schedule a free consultation, contact us at 866-NAPOLIN today.