Auto accidents do occur at the most unexpected times. If you are engaged in an auto accident in New York, then you will need to have a good auto accident attorney working for you. If you are engaged in an accident that resulted from the negligence of others, you should seek compensation for the injury and damages caused by the negligent driver. In order to recover damages for injuries or financial losses, you will have to hire a good auto accident attorney to represent you in court and deal with the insurance firm. Fair compensation can only be assured when you have good legal representation. Below are some steps you can take to hire a good auto accident attorney who will give you value for your money.
1. Recommendations and Referrals
Before setting out to hire an auto accident attorney, you better ask around for the best. Recommendations from friends and family members will save you money and time. Your friends and families will give you good referrals that have worked well for them in the past. Websites are also good places for getting a good auto accident attorney. You can read through customers’ reviews to see how they rate different attorneys. A good attorney will attract positive reviews from his or her former clients.
2. Check if they offer free initial consultation
An attorney of good repute will offer you a free initial consultation. During this first meeting, you will get a chance to discuss the merits of your case and the lawyer will be able to determine and gauge the possibilities of you winning the case.
3. Determine the attorney’s experience
During your first meeting, you should also ask questions to establish the attorney’s experience in handling the cases of your caliber. A good auto accident attorney will be in a position to give you proper legal counsel. The attorney will be in a position to advice you on whether you should go for a full trial or agree on a settlement deal. It is important that you settle for an attorney that knows his trade very well. The attorney chosen should be well versed in matters touching on personal injury law. He or she should also have a proven record of the application of this branch of law to auto accident cases. Choose a lawyer who has handled cases that bear some semblance to your case.
4. Check the case strategy employed by the attorney
Next, you will need to pay particular attention to the attorney’s proposed legal strategy that he or she will adopt in handling your case. Seek clarification on all legal options available for your case. Consider how the auto accident attorney plans to handle your case. If the assessment given is satisfactory to you, you can go ahead and hire this attorney.
5. Legal fees
This should come as the last consideration because of the fact that most auto accident attorneys work on contingency. This means that the lawyer will be paid after you have won the case. Check t ensure that your chosen auto accident attorney agrees with this structure. His or her pay should be reasonable and can either be based on an hourly rate or on actual time spent on the case.
Finding a good auto accident attorney will ensure that you are fairly compensated for your damages and injuries. You should, therefore, spend a good time in choosing the best for your case.