Choosing the Best Physical Injury Lawyer for Car Accidents

As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. Sure, it sounds like a cliché, but it applies even until now. For instance, it’s better to be careful when driving on the road, than finding yourself in the hospital recovering from an auto accident.

In case they cannot be avoided, though, it’s always a great idea to enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer. Their expertise in the technicalities of insurance, hospitalization, and other matters may spare you a lot of expense and stress. It helps to have someone who can help you make great decisions, especially in trying times.

How exactly does a lawyer help you? Are their services worth the legal fees? Let’s start by talking about the situations in which physical injury attorneys would be most useful.

Injuries – Let’s say you did get in a car accident. You were left with injuries that kept you in the hospital for three weeks. On top of that, recovery included two more weeks at home. That’s a month’s worth of missed paychecks! Your lawyer can help you file a complaint, especially in cases wherein a driver was found guilty of rash roadside behavior and caused your accident. Take note that staying in the hospital does not come cheap. Even with insurance, monetary compensation can still take you a long way.

Insurance Claims – Did your auto insurance provider refuse to cover your accident? In case the company downright refuses to pay for your recovery and hospital stay, your attorney can help you come to an arrangement with the company. When worse comes to worst, though, he or she can represent you in court, if your auto insurance provider is flat-out unwilling to meet halfway.

Medical Issues – Let’s say that, while convalescing in the hospital, a nurse mistakenly had you take medicine for another patient. A personal injury lawyer could also help you deal with malpractice among doctors and nurses, especially if your recovery is compromised.  A lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of hospital regulations and legal aspects of medical malpractice. This way, you can protect yourself from misconduct or careless behavior during treatment.

With a myriad of lawyers and firms out there, what is the best way to choose a physical injury attorney? Factors such as price and proximity can come into play, so there are no universal guidelines for this. It would help, however, to ask the following questions:

1. What do you specialize in?

Similar to doctors, who have their own areas of specialization, attorneys can also specialize in labor law, custody and alimony, criminal cases, physical injury, and whatnot. It pays to know what cases your legal representative can work best with, so you have higher chances of succeeding in any complaints you file.

2. Do you go on trial often?

This is very useful, especially in insurance claims disputes. There are cases wherein insurance companies offer you a settlement worth much, much less than what you would get, if the case were to go on trial. Though not necessarily the case (pun unintended), especially for newer lawyers, an attorney who has not spent too much time in court may only be looking for a quick payment.

3. Do you have any references?

You can find out a lot about an attorney by running a check on his or her background. By asking your prospective lawyer for references from former clients, you will have a clear idea of how he or she works. Once you sit down with a previous client, make sure to inquire about professionalism, success, and the time it took to resolve the case.

4. What can we do to win the case?

Contrary to popular belief, your lawyer will not do all the work for you. Even if you have suffered personal injury, he or she may ask you to speak with people crucial to the case, such as investigators. By asking this question, not only will you know how the attorney works; it is also a good check of his or her work ethic.

5. Who’s going to work on this case?

Oftentimes, law firms send junior attorneys to handle cases. This is not to say that junior lawyers are any less competent, but just so you know what you’re working with, ask if the person you consult with will handle the case personally.

6. Have you handled any similar cases before?

Similar to the first question, it helps to know how successful an attorney is when handling physical injury cases. While their record may not necessarily predict the outcome of your case, you will rest more easily knowing how much time they have spent handling similar ones in the past.

Physical injury lawyers are a godsend, especially during cases involving car accidents. By being diligent, patient, and mindful, a good attorney can help you navigate through the legal jungle, and make sure you come out on top.