Nobody likes to think that they might be involved in a car crash. But, the sad reality is that there is a good chance that you will be, at some stage. According to the car insurance industry, the average person will make a claim every 17.9 years. Even if you are an exceptional driver, someone else’s error could lead to your being involved in a car crash.
If you require assistance for a car accident, hiring the right lawyer is important. Choosing the wrong one can lead to your not receiving the right level of compensation, or to your owing someone else a lot of money.
Take your time
When you have had an accident, your natural instinct is to get everything sorted out quickly. To get your car back on the road and start the process of making your insurance claim.
You certainly should not hang around before sorting things out. But, it is also important to give yourself enough time to do a bit of research before hiring a lawyer. It is never a good idea to simply hire the first one you come across.
The right expertise and qualifications
It is important to hire a lawyer with experience of handling your type of case. If you were driving an RV at the time of your accident, in an ideal world, you would find a lawyer that has dealt with that type of vehicle crash before. They would understand the true value of your vehicle, how to prove it and the contents are worth that much and get the true level of compensation you deserve.
You also need to check the relevant bar association website. Just to be sure that they are a real lawyer. The last thing you need is to inadvertently pay a fake lawyer a retainer.
Understand their fee structure
How much hiring them will cost you is another important consideration. So, ask about their fees, at an early stage. When deciding how much to pay, bear in mind how much you would stand to lose if you did not have a lawyer looking out for your best interests. In certain situations, not hiring one will turn out to be a false economy. Besides which, a lot of vehicle accident lawyers will happily work on a no-win-no-fee basis.
Do your part
Hiring a good lawyer is only a small part of what needs to be done to reduce the negative impact the accident will have on your life. He or she can only make a sound case if you provide them with the information they need. So, play your part.
Make sure that you gather as much evidence as possible. Keep receipts for everything, photograph the scene and draw a diagram of the accident. This website can be used to quickly create a clear sketch that your lawyer can use while putting together your case. If they ask you to keep an accident journal to track the impact not having a car or coping with being injured is having on your life, be sure to do it.
