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If you’ve been in an auto accident, whether it was your fault or not, finding the right car accident attorney in Flagstaff can help you to recover damages and get your life back on track as soon as possible. But there are several things to consider when choosing an attorney, such as price, style of representation, and geographic location. Here are some helpful tips that will help you to choose the right attorney for your case.
The Dos and Don’ts
Hiring a car accident attorney is an important decision, but it can be difficult to know where to start. The number of attorneys and firms out there can seem overwhelming at first, but finding one that’s right for you doesn’t have to be. If you follow these steps and stay vigilant, you should end up with a solid legal ally on your side. Here are some dos and don’ts for choosing a good accident attorney
The Background Check
Background checks are often overlooked when choosing an attorney, but they’re critical—especially if you want to make sure that your case is handled by someone who knows what they’re doing. Just because a law firm has multiple attorneys on staff doesn’t mean that all of them have experience handling car accident cases; before hiring any lawyer, ask for their background check and review it carefully. Check out their website, Facebook page and Google results. Look up reviews from other people who have hired them before (there’s almost always at least one Yelp listing). Be especially careful about hiring attorneys with shady pasts—if there’s anything fishy about an attorney’s background, trust your gut.
The Cost of an Attorney
If you are ever injured in a car accident, do not hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis. This means that your attorney will not get paid unless he or she is successful. Instead, ask how much your attorney charges per hour and decide whether you can afford it. Your health is more important than money—you want to ensure that your lawyer has enough time to devote to your case.
The Injury Claim Process
In a car accident, there are several entities that can be held responsible for injuries sustained. The easiest entity to identify is whoever was at fault for causing your car accident. But depending on where you live, there may also be other responsible parties such as law enforcement (if an officer caused a traffic collision), property owners (if someone falls on unsafe stairs car accident attorney in flagstaff a dangerous sidewalk), and insurance companies. In addition, if your doctor’s malpractice was partially responsible for your injuries, then he/she may also play a role in how compensation is handled. Depending on which of these entities are liable will determine how much you should expect to receive as compensation and what forms of evidence/testimony you need from experts when you file your claim.
The Compensation Amount
When it comes time to discuss compensation, don’t be afraid to ask questions and request specifics. Know what sort of compensation you are entitled to and understand why that amount is fair. In some cases, it may be perfectly acceptable for an attorney at fault for a car accident not to help you with your medical bills or car repair costs; in these cases, your attorney can still offer expert counsel on how much an appropriate settlement would be. In other cases, an attorney may refuse a case because his client (the insurance company) has refused all offers of compensation on their end. This is legal, but it’s important for clients and prospective clients alike not only know their rights but also how an attorney responds when there are no benefits from working together.
Legal Representation After an Auto Accident
After an auto accident, it’s important that you seek out legal representation from a qualified attorney as soon as possible. You may be unable to see all your injuries immediately, or be unsure about what compensation you should seek. Your insurance company may try and push for a quick settlement on your case which could result in long-term damage from injuries that may have not been diagnosed yet. If a person is responsible for causing your car accident by breaking any traffic laws then they can be held liable. A skilled attorney will help make sure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering after a car accident. Be sure to choose one with experience handling car accident cases and who has prior success working with personal injury victims.