The Basics Of Hiring An Accident Attorney Once You’ve Been In An Auto Accident

When you are injured in a car accident and you are not at fault, the process of recovering for your injuries and damages should be easy. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. If you want to ensure that the process of recovery goes as smoothly as possible, the key is going to be in the professional that you hire to represent you. Not all auto accident attorneys are the same, nor are they all the right one for you. You might end up spending a whole lot of time with and putting a lot of faith in the attorney you choose, so make sure to hire the right one for your protection.

Why do you need an attorney?

Many people want to handle car accidents on their own without hiring an attorney, but that just might be the worst mistake that you can make. When you are injured in an accident, the insurance company is not going to have your best interests at heart. Their job is to minimize their own costs. That might mean that they offer you a settlement that isn’t all-encompassing and won’t take into account all that is rightfully yours. Many things can surface after an accident, and if you don’t know what to anticipate or what procedures to follow, by the time that you notice the new issues, you just might be out of luck.

The litigation process is the time between the accident and before it goes to trial, where both parties try to come to a fair settlement so that the case doesn’t have to proceed to court. If you don’t consult an attorney, however, you won’t ever be sure that you are taking all things into consideration. Once you agree to a settlement and sign on the dotted line, the company will no longer bear any responsibility for the accident or your injuries.

What to look for when searching for an attorney

It isn’t enough to just search for a Baltimore car accident attorney. If you suffered from a traumatic brain injury or a back injury, you are going to want to find one that specializes in your specific injury type. They will be well versed in how to handle the case, what to look for, and what to anticipate. Sure, all accident attorneys have to know the law, but they have subspecialties. Choosing the one that specializes in your injury is the best way to get the best representation.

You will also want to find someone who has a good amount of experience in auto accidents. Checking references, asking previous clients, and researching with the bar association are all good ways to make sure that you are finding a credible attorney. Make sure that you hire someone with experience in both the litigation and courtroom processes. You don’t want to hire someone who will settle because it is easier than proceeding to court. Always find out how many times they have been to court and what their win ratio is, to get a fair idea of how well they represent their clients.

Finally, make sure to ask about their fee schedule. Most auto accident attorneys will work for a contingency fee, but that doesn’t equal working for free. It just means that they will collect when you do. Knowing how they are billing is important to ensure that you aren’t left without anything once you are awarded money.

When to hire an auto accident attorney

Whether it was a fender bender or a major accident, the best time to hire an attorney is as soon as possible following an accident. It is just better to have protection up front so that you don’t find yourself in a jam without anyone on your side. Consulting an attorney immediately will ensure that if things escalate, you have the right representation to get what you are entitled to, instead of scrambling after the fact if things don’t go as smoothly as you had hoped.

Guest Blog from –
Zirkin and Schmerling Law
400 E. Pratt St., 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202

Phone: (410) 356-4455
Website: zirkinandschmerlinglaw.com