If you or your loved one has suffered an injury, you need a representation of the best Santa Monica car accident lawyers. But with so many personal injury lawyers out there, it’s not easy to select a professional who will work for your unique needs.
While personal injury lawyers are biased toward the company they work for, there are a few steps you should focus on. Here are a few tips to help you find the best personal injury attorney.
The experience matters
The legal industry is very broad, so you want to deal with someone who has vast experience in personal injury. Generally speaking, skills and experience are the key things to focus on if you want to increase your odds of winning a case. So, before you hire someone make sure you understand their sphere of practice.
Does the lawyer has a successful track record that you can rely on? It’s worth mentioning that past success doesn’t guarantee future results.
Client reviews and testimonials matter
The court processes and insurance companies come with a lot of stress. Therefore, you want to deal with a lawyer who can give the most sophisticated results in the industry. Has the lawyer handled a similar case in your city? This information will help you check whether the lawyer has good standing where the accident occurred.
Also, every state has an association for attorneys. You should check whether the person you want to work with has been sanctioned for any disciplinary measures.
Apart from checking their website, you should look at independent directories to see what other clients say. If you know some past clients, you can talk to them.
Accessibility
Some clients complain that they hardly get any time to discuss a case with their lawyers. You should desist from professionals who hardly give you their time. Of course, you should stay away from those who don’t answer your phone calls. If you can’t reach them, what makes you think that you’ll reach them later?
If the lawyer can’t take a few minutes of their time to talk to you personally, they should have a secretary or paralegal to do the talking. Make sure the lawyer you talk to is the one who will handle your case.
Discuss the payment
Transparency is important when making a huge financial transaction. So before you hire a lawyer, you should ask about the fees upfront. Santa Monica car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that they won’t ask for any payment before the case is settled.
Some lawyers will charge on an hourly basis and others a percentage. Regardless, you should be comfortable with the payment structure.
Finally, trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, you should move to the next lawyer even if the representation has already begun.