A car accident attorney is a legal practitioner who helps individuals who have sustained injuries in a car accident to get compensated. The funds gotten are often used to pay medical bills, or make up for lost wages.
If you have to hire a car accident attorney, chances are that you are not in a very good state, physically and emotionally. This is normal. You just went through an ordeal that has left you with some injuries and damage to your vehicle. Make sure you seek medical attention.
The process of hiring a Philadelphia car accident attorney can be daunting for a recent victim of an accident. Therefore, in order to make the process of getting the compensation you deserve, there are a couple of things that you need to know before hiring a car accident attorney.
They include:
- Ambulance Chasers should not be trusted
Ambulance chasers are Personal Injury Attorneys who solicit for clients immediately after an accident. This practice has been banned by several jurisdictions. No diligent lawyer should take advantage of the victim of a car accident. Ambulance chasers should not be trusted because they only have their own interests at heart.
- Initial Consultations are very important
Most of the time, initial consultations are often given free of charge. Before you sign up for the services of a lawyer, make sure you go through an initial consultation process. Even if you have to pay for it, still go on with the interview. Initial consultations are important because it would help you determine if the attorney is a good fit for you. It would also help a client determine whether or not he or she has a good case.
- Most cases do not go into trial
Only a few personal injury cases make it to trial. Most of these cases are often solved by settlement. Even out of the few that make trial, some of them are halted midway after a satisfactory settlement has been made.
In so many other cases, a settlement is reached even before an official lawsuit is filed.
Most cases do not go into the trial because a lot of defendants do not want to be associated with the negative publicity that a lawsuit can bring. Also, an early settlement will help the victim reduce the costs of a full-blown lawsuit.
- Personal Injury( Car Accident) Cases take a lot of time
Some cases quickly settle if the damages and liability are straight forward. However, more complex cases take more time than usual. This is another reason why the early settlement should be considered.
However, if you prefer to go on with the trial, your lawyer can offer suggestions on how you can handle expenses while you are recovering from an injury. One of the options your attorney may suggest is to take out a lawsuit loan.
- There are no guarantees
This is another reason why ambulance chasers should not be trusted. They often promise quick settlements. When it comes to car accident cases, there are no guarantees. A reasonable assessment of the strength and outcome of the case can be made by your attorney. However, there are way too many variables to consider for an attorney to guarantee results.
- Understand the fee policy
Most of the time, having to hire a personal injury attorney is an unexpected expense. This is why contingency fee agreements are common when it comes to personal injury cases. Some lawyers even devote their time and energy on a case in exchange for a percentage of the verdict or settlement.
However, it is important that you understand the fees upfront. Before you sign a contract, be clear on the details of the fees you are being charged.