Legal

You’ve been injured in an automobile accident, through no fault of your own, and now you have these huge unpaid medical bills, not to mention that you face a substantial repair bill for your severely damaged automobile.  You may still be in pain and unable to work because of it.  How do you go about finding a good attorney to represent you?

            You’ve seen a “gazillion” ads on TV for auto accident and injury attorneys.  Are any of them good?  Are any of them the right one to represent you?

Remember that old saying, “knowledge is power”?  It’s true.  Ask questions --- lots of them.

Call a few such attorneys and interview them over the phone.  Remember, they need to earn your business.  An ethical attorney will be totally up front with you.  He or she will answer all of your questions, including his or her fee structure.

Visit the local Bar Association’s web site.  While its web site is intended primarily for the members’ use, it may offer you with a wealth of information as regards local attorneys and their specializations.  Plus, it may offer some information intended for the general public.

Call the local Bar Association and ask them for referrals; ask them on what basis they refer you to specific attorneys.

If you happen to work at a company that is big enough to have an in-house legal department, see if you can pick one of their staff’s brain.  You may be surprised at the valuable information that they provide you with.

Ask friends and co-workers.  You’ll likely hear a bunch of personal horror stories that you’ll have to endure patiently and graciously; but, you may learn something worthwhile nonetheless.

If you have a local general practice attorney in your neighborhood, ask him or her if he or she might recommend an auto accident attorney.  If he or she does do, ask him or her why he or she is recommending that attorney --- You don’t want to be referred to someone just because they are a friend or former classmate.

Ask questions --- lots of them.

Using all of the information that you’ve obtained by doing your research, schedule an appointment with one or more auto accident attorneys that you think might be right for you and your situation.

When you meet with an attorney, don’t be at all surprised if he or she seems aggressive.  Lawyers have historically been trained in law school to be just that.  Besides, you obviously want someone to aggressively represent you.

When you interview this attorney, ask all of the questions that come to mind, such as what is the legal process, how long will it likely take, what do you (and what will you) need to do.

Don’t be timid.  Ask questions --- lots of them.

Most auto accident attorneys work on a fee-after-judgment basis, but not necessarily all.  Negotiate what the attorney’s fee will be up front before you retain the attorney to represent you.  The fee arrangement should always be in writing.

Ask the attorney for references.

Finally, when it comes down to making your decision,  go with you gut.  Choose an attorney you most feel comfortable with and one whom you think will best represent you.

For more information on accident lawyers visit CFCLC-Law.com