Top Five Things You Want in an Austin Car Accident Lawyer
If you were involved in a car accident, you might want to consult a lawyer to learn about your legal options. Injuries, property damage, and time away from work can lead to various expenses. If your actions didn’t contribute to the crash, you should not be financially responsible. The at-fault driver or another negligent party should be the one to compensate you for your losses.
Hiring a car accident lawyer to represent you in your case is one of the best decisions to make following a car crash. Unfortunately, some law firms only care about making money and won’t have your best interests in mind when they’re working on your insurance claim or lawsuit. Others don’t have the experience necessary to handle a car accident case successfully.
Large law firms don’t have the time to provide one-on-one attention to their clients. A jack-of-all-trades attorney doesn’t take on car insurance claims or lawsuits regularly. You know you need a lawyer to help you pursue the money you’re owed but might not know how to find the right one.
It’s critical that you hire someone with the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate the accident, gather all available evidence, and negotiate aggressively with the insurance company.
Consider These Factors Before Hiring a Lawyer to Handle Your Car Accident Case
Finding a lawyer you can trust is of the utmost importance when you suffer injuries in a car accident. You want someone who will make you a priority and work towards a favorable outcome you’ve agreed upon. If you end up with a legal team that focuses more on their bottom line than meeting your needs, you will likely receive much less compensation than you deserve.
Five main factors separate an average lawyer from an excellent lawyer. You should look for the signs below. When you find a lawyer who meets them all, you have found someone you can depend on to work hard and treat you with respect and professionalism at all times.
References
Reputable lawyers come with references. The references you call should be able to discuss the lawyer’s reputation, work ethic, and other positive attributes. If you encounter a lawyer who refuses to provide references or doesn’t have any, you should consider contacting other law firms.
Experience
Experience matters. You want to ensure the person you hire has adequate experience handling car accidents. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve been an attorney for 30 years. Even someone practicing for only a few years could have the knowledge and skills to negotiate insurance settlements and litigate cases in court. You can look up attorneys online for client reviews, case results, and other important information that speaks to their qualifications.
Communication
A dependable lawyer will provide open and honest communication no matter what. They will be upfront about your legal options and what you can expect during the legal process. They won’t overpromise or be unrealistic about the compensation they can recover for you. Lawyers with a good reputation will also never bad-mouth other firms. If they feel the need to speak negatively about another lawyer, they’re likely just trying to gain your business.
During the initial consultation, they should answer all of your questions thoroughly. They will be clear about their legal fees, the procedures they follow, and their experience with car accident cases. You should never leave a law firm with unanswered questions. If they fail to provide clear information, you will probably have ongoing communication issues if you choose to hire them.
Organized Offices
Organized lawyers generally have clean and organized office spaces. When you meet them for the first time, take note of everyone’s desk and how they perform their jobs. If there’s clutter or the employees appear frazzled, that might indicate a disorganized working environment. You should retain legal services from someone who can handle the various aspects of a case without allowing anything to fall through the cracks.
Compassion and Care
A lawyer showing an interest in their clients usually goes above and beyond to get the job done. They won’t put forth a minimal effort to close out the case and move onto the next one. Someone who only cares about recovering their legal fees won’t fight for the maximum available compensation. You could end up with a lower settlement than you deserve.
Meeting with a lawyer who takes the time to get to know you, discusses the circumstances of the accident in detail, and asks you about your goals in pursuing a case will likely do what they can to try to reach your desired result.
What to Bring to a Consultation
When you’re meeting a lawyer for the first time, it’s a good idea to bring along helpful information. Examples include:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Pictures of vehicle damage and repair estimates
- Billing statements, invoices, and receipts associated with the accident
- Witness names and phone numbers
- Detailed notes of out of pocket expenses
- Photos from the crash scene
- Car insurance information
An experienced lawyer can review everything and determine if they can take your case. Sometimes, it’s apparent that an insurance claim won’t accomplish much. If you sustained a minor injury and only attended a few doctor’s appointments, you probably deserve compensation from the at-fault party but might not receive a settlement that exceeds legal fees and costs. Complex cases could require months or years of litigation and could result in taking your case to trial.
You should understand the uphill battle you face and any obstacles you could encounter. A consultation can answer all the questions you have and prepare you for what’s to come.
Contact Loewy Law Firm for Help Today
At Loewy Law Firm, we have a proven track record of success in representing car accident victims. We will provide you with personalized attention and maintain ongoing communication from start to finish of the legal process. Our team will prioritize your case and work tirelessly to try to secure the maximum possible compensation to cover your medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses. You should not be forced to pay any bills yourself if someone else were entirely at fault for your injuries.
If another person’s negligence caused your injuries in a car accident, contact Loewy Law Firm at (512) 280-0800 immediately to discuss your case during a free consultation.