Hiring an Auto Accident Attorney: What You Need to Know

Accidents are called accidents for a reason - you never mean for them to happen! Despite this, hundreds of thousands of Americans are involved in auto collisions annually, and find they have a lot to deal with in the aftermath. An accident may result in minor damage to your vehicle, or may cause severe physical injury, or - sadly - even death. Whether the accident is relatively minor, or a devastating life event, you will be under financial and emotional strain in the days and weeks that follow. Your insurance company should be able to handle your property claims without too much fuss if the accident was not your fault, but if you were injured, can't work or are suffering emotional trauma, things will get a bit more complicated. The last thing you need at this time is to try to claim damages from the other party's insurance company personally. This is the time to engage an auto collision attorney to take over legal proceedings for you.

What are the steps you should follow to choose the right auto accident attorney and ensure a swift and successful settlement on your claim?

Before you start, rest assured that the majority of auto collision attorneys won't ask for payment until and unless you win the case. Make it a priority to find out if a potential attorney works like this so that you know what, if any, upfront costs you will have to deal with.

Find out if anyone you trust recommends an attorney they or someone they know has had a good experience with. A good attorney who makes you feel at ease and explains things clearly to you will make the case much less stressful for you. If no one you know can make a recommendation, then head online and research attorneys at local firms. Make sure you check out the attorney's qualifications and ask about their past experience with cases similar to your own.

When you have chosen an attorney you should arrange to speak with them to discuss the likely outcomes of your case and your chances of success. Usually a quick discussion of the case will be granted free of charge, check first if your auto accident attorney provides this service. Do take their advice on board, and be prepared to hear news you may not like. Your attorney wants to get paid, so if they think you are likely to win, they will tell you so. If they say you can't win, accept it and move on. Use this initial consultation wisely and ask them about how they will handle the case, how long it is likely to take, and how much their fees are likely to be upon settlement.  Ensure you fully comprehend the case strategy, and that you are comfortable with it: it will only make the case more stressful if you don't feel you know what's going on. View website for related facts.

Once you are satisfied that you are hiring the right attorney and you are clear about how your case will proceed, you can leave the stress of complicated legal proceedings to them and concentrate on getting back on your feet. Find a good attorney at www.siegfriedandjensen.com.