When you’ve had a car accident, it’s vital to have the best car accident lawyer represent you to help you get maximum compensation for your injuries and loss. A lawyer helps you make a strong claim, negotiates with insurance companies, and if necessary, helps you sue the parties responsible for the accident all the way to trial.
Great lawyers are known by reputation, but you may not know who is a good lawyer or not unless you’re exposed to the field. Instead, you can get recommendations from trusted friends or family members.
Regardless of how you find a car accident lawyer, you must always do your due diligence. For starters, find out if the lawyer has expertise and experience in the kind of case you have, how well they handle clients, and what their success rate is. If you’re looking for a car accident lawyer in South Florida, consider working with the renowned Lawlor, White & Murphey attorneys.
Four Steps for Hiring the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Florida
A good attorney can help you double or triple your insurance payout. That’s why it’s important to find and work with skilled, experienced attorneys.
Gather recommendations and create a shortlist
Family members and close friends can provide valuable leads when you’re just getting started. They can help you know where to find a trustworthy lawyer, tell you what their experience was like, and give you valuable tips.
Make a list of all the recommendations you get at this point. If you know people working in the legal field, they can provide particularly useful leads through their connections. However, remember that some of them may recommend lawyers who give them kickbacks in return.
That’s why you should also do preliminary checks on the lawyer’s website, social media pages, and public information repositories to strike off those who aren’t experienced or licensed in your type of case.
Schedule consultations to find out more
Once you have a shortlist, schedule a free consultation to take about your case. Make sure you bring all important documentation with you, such as your insurance policy, medical records and bills associated with the accident, pictures, and videos of the accident, police report, and witness contact information.
This is your chance to ask if the lawyer works on a contingency basis and discuss the expected compensation value. Find out how experienced they are in car accident cases and if they will have enough time to focus on your case. Some firms are so busy that to them, you’re just another case number.
The first consultation also gives you a chance to gauge the size of the firm and get a feel of how it will be to work with them. Take this time to talk about potential game plans; a good lawyer will have an intuitive understanding of how the claims and lawsuit process works and can give a tentative evaluation of your case so that you have an idea of what to expect.
Look into their track record and talk to past clients
After your initial consultation, take time to find out more about the remaining firms on your shortlist. Most lawyers will allow you to talk to some former clients, which is useful because you can get first-hand information on what it will be like to work with an attorney. Otherwise, read the firm’s reviews on Google and on their official website.
At the same time, find out if the lawyer/firm has good judicial connections and if they have tried or settled similar cases before. The best lawyers are comfortable with going to trial and have a good success rate.
All this information should be easily available on the law firm’s website and corroborated by public records. By the end of this stage, you will know which is the best law firm to represent you in your car accident case.
Get a Service Contract
Once you have chosen a lawyer, ask for a service contract. This is the paperwork that lays out the terms of your working relationship, with important information such as payment terms. Go through all the terms and sign the paperwork if you agree with it. Ask questions if you’re in doubt about any of it and be sure you understand what you’re signing.
Secrets of Finding a Car Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
Doing all this helps you find a lawyer who’s a strong fighter and negotiator, but who will also make the claims and lawsuit process easier for you. However, there are several other tips and tricks that can help make the choice between a good lawyer and a great lawyer.
- Choose a lawyer who specializes in local personal injury law
- A lawyer who has a successful history of taking cases to trial is preferable
- Your lawyer should have a history of settling or trying high-value cases
- Find an attorney who is active in State and national trial lawyer groups
- Your lawyer should have a strong network of resources, such as accident reconstruction experts and medical experts
Your attorney should also be able to handle your car accident case personally and communicate with you regularly to update you on the case’s progress.
Suing or Getting Sued for a Car Accident? Talk to Expert Attorneys Now in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lawlor, White & Murphey is one of the premier law firms in South Florida. Our long history of winning high-value personal injury cases for our clients is proof of our success and client-first approach. Whether you’re the defendant or plaintiff in a car accident case, we’re here to help you.
Our attorneys are distinguished by their fearlessness, compassionate support for our clients, and expertise in Florida law. Call us or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today. The lawyers at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured in Coconut Creek, Plantation, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines, and throughout Florida. Call (954) 525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly