Choosing The Right Seattle Car Accident Lawyer For Your Case – 10 Tips
Car accidents can be overwhelming experiences. Due to their traumatic nature, crashes leave victims with injuries that require long-term treatment and property damage. As the medical bills pile up, victims also suffer due to the added stress. If the Seattle accident is due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important for the victim to seek the assistance of a skilled car accident lawyer in the community who can truly help them.
Expert attorneys understand the legal process and know how to maximize your gains. Attorneys use their knowledge to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. However, choosing the right Seattle car accident lawyer can be a stressful task on its own.
To help you with this task, we put together some tips that will make choosing the right car accident lawyer for your case less daunting.
Do Your Research
The first step in finding the right Seattle car accident lawyer is to, simply put, do your own research.
Using the tools available on the Internet, look for lawyers in your particular area who specialize in car accident cases and have a good reputation with their clients. Checking attorneys’ track record of success and looking at the reviews and ratings their past clients left for them online are also important steps.
Ask Yourself: Are They Experienced Lawyers?
Experience is important in any profession, but when choosing a car accident lawyer, it is of extreme importance.
You should not trust your money, health, and mental well-being with anyone not willing to fight for your rights. Look for a law firm whose attorneys have significant experience in handling car accident cases, both big and small.
Attorneys well-versed in this area will have a better understanding of the legal process, be familiar with the applicable laws, and will be more likely to have established relationships with insurance companies and other relevant parties. This will play out in your favor.
Check The Attorney’s Reputation
After picking out a few names and law firms, check their reputation. The best way to do that is to look at what other attorneys who know and have worked with them say about them. Look for a lawyer with a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and honesty. If the attorney you’re considering hiring has a high number of referral cases, then he is well-established with his peers.
Asking for references from previous clients is also a must.
Remember: A Successful Seattle Car Accident Attorney Puts Communication First
Communication is key when it comes to a successful car accident claim. You want a lawyer who is able to explain the legal process with ease, answer all your questions in a timely fashion, and keep you informed about the progress of your case at all times.
A good Seattle car accident lawyer should also be responsive and easy to reach. When you need them, you must be able to contact them.
Being assured your case is being handled right will give you the time to focus on healing from your injuries.
Availability Means Higher Quality
The availability of your lawyer and his or her law firm is of extreme importance. You want a lawyer who will be available to handle your case promptly and efficiently. When lawyers are available to discuss your case, that means they are not just picking up anything that is thrown at them for a higher turnout. To make a long story short, availability means they care.
When researching an attorney, make sure to ask about their availability. Before hiring anybody, you must be confident that they will be able to give your case the attention it deserves. However, keep in mind that the legal process can take a lot of time. Big or small, each case is unique. Ask questions and be patient.
How Much Does The Lawyer Charge?
The fees charged by a Seattle car accident lawyer can vary widely. Some lawyers charge a flat fee, while others charge by the hour. The majority, however, are hired on a contingency basis.
A good attorney won’t necessarily cost you too much. When considering your budget, keep that in mind. When discussing these matters with an attorney and asking about fees, be sure to get everything in writing before hiring them. Ensure that you are comfortable with the fees and the payment structure.
At the Bernard Law Group, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that our fee is contingent upon the outcome of the case. If the case is not successful, you don’t pay a dime.
Contingency fees are commonly used when the client may not have the financial resources to pay for a law firm and all the costs of handling a car accident case upfront.
Does The Lawyer Have Proper Trial Experience?
While most car accident cases are settled out of court, you will have peace of mind knowing that, if necessary, your lawyer is willing and able to take your case to trial. Verifying the lawyer’s trial experience matters because their experience gives them the knowledge and skills to handle a case in court.
A lawyer with trial experience has the ability to anticipate issues that may arise during a trial and that less experienced attorneys might miss. Experienced attorneys can also respond to these issues quickly and effectively. Trial experience also allows the lawyer to effectively cross-examine witnesses, present evidence with confidence, and argue legal points before a judge or jury without any issues. They can also advise you on whether it’s in your best interest to settle at a determinate moment or go to trial, and whether each option has any potential risks.
The Bernard Law Group has some of the biggest trial results in Seattle and Washington state.
Our firm has the resources and attorneys have decades of experience in court helping clients obtain the maximum compensation.
What’s The Attorney’s Success Rate?
You will also want to ask the law firm about their success rate in handling car accident cases.
A lawyer’s success rate refers to the percentage of cases they have won or settled in favor of their clients over time. An attorney with a high success rate has the skills and experience you want in an attorney. It also suggests that the lawyer and the law firm he or she works with have a good understanding of how to effectively negotiate with insurance companies and other parties.
The Bernard Law Group has more than a 98% case-win success rate.
Hiring a law firm with a success rate like The Bernard Law Group will give you the highest chance of helping you obtain a favorable outcome in your case.
Get Referrals From Friends And Family
Another great way to find a car accident lawyer in Seattle sounds obvious but it can just be the ticket: Get referrals from friends and family.
Ask coworkers, neighbors, college buddies, or relatives if they know anyone in Seattle or the region who has used a car accident lawyer in the past and if they were happy with the service they received. This can be a great way to get an unbiased opinion from someone who has already gone through a similar situation.
The Bernard Law Group has been a part of the Seattle community for over 30 years. We have helped tens of thousands of injury victims and our reputation in Washington is outstanding.
Verdicts and Settlements Matter
Finally, consider past verdicts and settlements when doing your research.
By reviewing a law firm’s verdicts, you can get a sense of the types of cases they handle often and what they are really good at, as well as the amount of compensation they have been able to obtain for their clients. This information can be helpful in determining whether a particular law firm is a right fit for your particular case.
At the Bernard Law Group, our attorneys have secured record-breaking settlements and verdicts. No matter the size of your Seattle car accident case, our team will fight to get you maximum compensation.
Choosing the Right Car Accident Lawyer Can Be Difficult
Choosing the right car accident lawyer if you were injured in Seattle can be a daunting task and it can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. By using the above recommendations you will have the best chance of making a choice that will make you confident of your case’s success.
With the right lawyer on your side, you can focus on your recovery while your attorney takes care of the legal matters.
