These days, there are hundreds of thousands of accident lawyers practicing in the United States, and this reality can make finding the best accident lawyer seem like a daunting task. But finding the best lawyer in your area isn’t impossible. Here’s a step-by-step guide you should follow to how to choose the best accident lawyer.
Call us at 1-800-HURT-511 when you’re looking for the best accident lawyer in the Bronx. Our accident lawyers have been representing accident victims for over a decade, and we’ll exhaust every option so you’re properly compensated for your injuries.
Step One: Ask For Recommendations
The first thing you should do when seeking an accident lawyer is reach out to friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors to see if anyone you know has had a good experience with an accident lawyer. It’s an unfortunate truth that individuals get hurt every day, so it’s likely there’s somebody in your life who’s needed an accident lawyer before.
When you’ve found someone who’s used an accident lawyer before, ask them what they liked about the lawyer and how the experience was. But don’t hire a lawyer just based off a friend’s recommendation. You still have to conduct research on your own.
Step Two: Search For Injury Lawyers Near You Online
Most lawyers practicing today have a website. All one needs to do is search “accident lawyers near me” on Google or another search engine and they’ll be shown the websites of local accident lawyers. Browse these pages and keep the following points in mind as you look through:
• Is the site well organized and professionally designed?
• Does it seem current?
• Are there testimonials to look at?
• Does the lawyer have their credentials on their site?
Check Lawyer Reviews Sites
It’s also wise to check lawyer reviews sites, as here you can find genuine reviews of lawyers in your area. Most of these sites include written and video reviews, ratings, and listed lawyers’ basic information. Below are some trusted lawyer reviews sites:
• Avvo.com
• Martindale.com
• Legalmatch.com
• Lawyers.com
• Findlaw.com
Step Three: Create A Short List Of Candidates
Once you’ve browsed several sites, you should create a short list of accident lawyers that seem promising. There should be six to seven names on this short list. These are the lawyers you’ll conduct in-depth research on. Here’s how you should conduct research:
Examine Credentials, Experience, Associations & Awards
If a lawyer has their credentials on their website, make note of these. Here are some credentials you should keep an eye out for:
• Where they went to school
• Which certifications they possess
• Which professional associations they belong to
• Which awards they’ve received
If you can’t locate a lawyer’s credentials using their website, this isn’t necessarily a red flag, but it does demonstrate that the lawyer chose to not include their credentials on their site, which is strange considering how important credentials are in the legal industry. It’s common practice for a lawyer to include at least some of their credentials on their website.
You should rank lawyers according to their credentials. For example, if a lawyer graduated from an Ivy League law school, belongs to the state bar and a number of professional associations, possesses a range of useful certifications, and has received numerous awards, then they should be at the top of a short list of candidates.
Step Four: Select Three Interview Candidates
Once you’ve conducted thorough online research—and you’ve seen who has positive reviews, a detailed website, and impressive credentials—it’s time to narrow down your short list to just three candidates. These are the candidates you’ll reach out to so you can set up initial consultations. These consultations can be conducted over the phone or in person, but there are benefits to meeting with a lawyer in person if you’re able to do so.
But before you consult an accident lawyer, you should collect all relevant documents you’ve acquired so far, including medical records, the police report, an accident report (if you have one), and any witness statements you’ve gathered. You should also have a prepared account of what happened, as a lawyer will not be able to make a determination regarding whether or not to take your case unless you present them with clear facts.
Step Five: Consult With The Lawyers
Now it’s time to reach out to the three accident lawyers who’re most promising. You can interview according to rank or in a random order; it doesn’t really matter how you interview, as after you’ve interviewed everybody, you’ll easily be able to compare and decide who’s best. When you consult a lawyer, you should ask the following questions:
What Can I Expect From Your Firm?
A lawyer is nothing without their support staff. Therefore, you should find out how the lawyer’s support staff will help your case along. Do they work with paralegals? Will multiple lawyers be handling your case? This is probably the most important question, because how a firm operates largely determines how your experience will be.
How Much Attention Will My Case Get?
If you’re looking to have your case handled by a big firm, there’s a chance your case may not get a lot of attention. This isn’t necessarily a problem, considering your case may not need a lot of attention in order to get handled correctly.
When Was The Last Time You Handled A Case Similar To Mine?
You want a lawyer who is familiar with your injury and the accident that caused it. There are so many kinds of accident lawyers out there, so it’s best to hire one that specializes in cases like the one you intend to bring.
Do You Have Trial Experience?
It’s also wise to hire a lawyer who has trial experience. While most accident cases don’t go to trial, going to trial is still a possibility. If your case ends up in court, you’ll need a lawyer who can defend your interests in front of a judge and jury.
Step Six: Determine Which Lawyer Is Best For You And Hire Them
After you’ve consulted all the lawyers on your short list, it should be clear which lawyer is the best one to hire. Choose the lawyer who:
• Made you feel most comfortable
• Possesses relevant skills, experience, and credentials
• Has a dedicated staff
• Has a lot of resources at their disposal
• Will treat you like a valued client
The process could take awhile, which is all the more reason why you should only hire a lawyer who’ll respect your time and appreciate your business.
If you’re in NYC and you’re looking for the best accident lawyer in the area, call 1-800-HURT-511 to get in touch with the accident lawyers at the Sanders Law Firm. We’ll treat you like family and help you seek damages after you’ve been injured in an accident. Thanks for reading how to choose the best accident lawyer.
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