Car accidents happen all the time and though they’re common, they’re one of the biggest expenses people face. In fact, car accidents cost drivers in the U.S. more than $230 billion every year. With such a high price tag, it’s no wonder that settlements offered by insurance companies would be on the low end.
You need an experienced Oakland lawyer to help you get the best settlement amount possible. However, if you’re like most people, finding an attorney to represent your interest can feel overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know to find the best auto accident attorney in Oakland.
Start with the people you know
The easiest way to find a personal injury attorney in your area is to start with the people you know. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. If they give you a few names, follow up with those attorneys and see if they’re a good fit for your situation.
If no one you know has worked with a car accident attorney before, ask them to speak with their network. It’s likely that they know someone who has been in a situation similar to yours in the past. Sometimes, your network won’t have any recommendations and that’s okay. You can always start your search online and look for attorneys in Oakland that can help you with your case.
Read up on their background
You’ll need to make sure each attorney you consider working with has experience helping with personal injury lawsuits. Different attorneys specialize in different areas. You need to choose a legal professional that understands your situation. Look at their educational background and pay close attention to the types of law they practice. A lawyer that specializes in personal injury cases will know how to help you most effectively.
Look at the reviews
Once you have a few names in mind, take the time to look at their reviews. Read what others have to say about their services and their experience. If most of the reviews are positive, you’ll likely have the same experience. If most of the reviews are negative, pay attention to what the complaints are. It’s possible that the complaints are legitimate, but the reviews could be from disgruntled third parties.
It’s also a great idea to check their professional standing. Head to your state bar association’s website and search for each attorney you’re considering working with. If they’re in good standing, the results will reflect that. However, if the attorney isn’t in good standing or has a history of complaints against them, the bar association will tell you.
Schedule consultations with several attorneys
You won’t be able to find the best auto accident attorney if you don’t have an idea of what other practices are like. Schedule a consultation with each attorney you’re considering working with. These initial consultations should be free. If an attorney charges you for the consultation, don’t work with them.
Use these meetings as a way to get to know the attorney and find out if they’re a good fit for your case. Ask them questions about the types of cases they handle and whether they’ve represented cases like yours in the past. Pay attention to the entire experience and how you felt interacting with them. The best injury lawyers should put you at ease and be able to explain how they can help you in detail.
They should also ask questions about your case so they can better understand the types of services you need. If an attorney seems rushed or doesn’t take the time to get to know you during the consultation, keep looking. It’s a sure-fire sign that they won’t represent your interests well.
Find out how they’ll charge for their services
Make a point to find out how the attorney charges for their services. Some attorneys get paid on contingency meaning they receive a set percentage of your settlement if you win your case. Others charge an hourly rate for their services. There’s no right or wrong method here. It all depends on what you’re most comfortable with.
Make sure you understand how they charge and the amount they’ll charge for their services before you sign a contract. This way, you’ll be ready when the bill comes due. If an attorney won’t disclose how they’ll charge you or refuses to give you their rates, keep looking.
Ask about their caseload
You need an attorney that will be able to focus on your case and keep you informed every step of the way. If they have too many clients at once, they won’t be able to give you the attention you deserve. Before you agree to work with them, ask what their caseload is like. If they’re incredibly busy, you’ll be better off working with a different attorney.
Choose the car accident attorney you trust most
After meeting with several car accident attorneys, you’ll need to choose one to work with. Think about the interactions you had both with the attorney themselves and their support staff. Ideally, their support staff should be friendly, polite, and competent. The attorney should be attentive and spend time getting to know you. If they didn’t ask questions about your case or you feel you had to steer the conversation, keep looking.
Choose the team that you feel most confident in, and you’ll be in good hands.
Finding the best auto accident attorney is simple
Ultimately, finding the best auto accident attorney for your case is a matter of personal preference. You’ll want to choose the legal team that you feel will represent your case the best. Schedule consultations, make sure you understand their fees, and choose the team you trust most.
If you’re ready to find the best car accident attorney to represent your case in Oakland, don’t wait. Schedule a consultation with the attorneys of Kerley Schaffer today. Our experienced legal team specializes in personal injury cases and will help you get the settlement you deserve.