Finding Good Accident Attorneys
More often than not, people will not take responsibility for an accident and insurance companies tend to under-compensate injury victims. In order to ensure that fair compensation goes to the injured party in an accident, it is advised that victims hire accident attorneys to handle the legal ramifications of the accidental injury claim.
Most auto accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they get their fees paid based on the awarded amount at the end of a claim. Failure to succeed in a claim means they do not get paid. However, the claimant is usually responsible for any (non-lawyer) costs arising from the claim, such as filing fees. A reputable attorney will be willing to discuss the possible fees a claimant may incur in the process prior to acceptance of the case.
The contingent fee percentage varies from attorney to attorney, but typically ranges from 30% to 40% of the award for a personal injury claim, somewhat lower for workers’ compensation cases, which are more regulated. It may seem like a large chunk of the pie but it drives attorneys to get the claimant the best possible award. Most good attorneys will not negotiate the contingent fee because the risk of failure is smaller than going for a less skilled attorney willing to lower the fee.
Finding good accident attorneys are best negotiated through a referral from a friend or a doctor, who may have had contact with one who has proven to be competent and reliable in similar cases. If a referred attorney is not available, they will typically refer a claimant to another lawyer who is capable of handling the case. However, in case of a referral from an attorney, this usually entails a referral fee that could be as high as one-third of the contingent fee of the attorney who takes the case. Clarifying this matter with the referring lawyer will prevent misunderstandings and complications later on. Another source for finding accident attorneys are referral services and membership organizations, such as state bar organizations or specialty organizations like the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. However, just because they are listed is not a testimony to their legal genius. It would be best to augment any referrals from this source by looking up the credentials of the lawyer in question, especially performances in past cases. Some online directories purport to screen the lawyers for competence, but not all are reliable services. A claimant should also be careful of law firms with 1-800 numbers or those that advertise on television or radio. These are typically referral companies who farm out the inquiries to various firms who then help in paying for their advertising. Their interest is more quantity rather than quality, and a claimant may find that the case is not given sufficient attention. Good lawyers do not need high-cost advertising. Many rely on referrals from past clients who attest to their ability to get the job done properly and competently. Some good law firms do advertise in the yellow pages with full page ads but most often than not, they do not have to. Not all accident attorneys are created equal for all types of accident cases. Some specialize in personal injury, others in workers’ compensation and others in medical malpractice, and so on. Before hiring a lawyer, even if the initial meeting had taken place, a claimant should ensure that the lawyer has experience with the kind of case on the table. If they appear unqualified, do not hesitate about declining the service.
Motor Vehicle Accident
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