How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer
Every car accident has the potential to cause substantial financial damages. Unfortunately, even if an insurance company accepts fault for a collision, they are unlikely to offer a settlement that covers the full extent of accident losses. Often, working with a car accident lawyer is the best way to maximize car accident damages.
While most people understand the benefits that a lawyer can provide, many hesitate to seek legal help, usually because they don’t know how to choose a car accident lawyer. Here, car accident lawyers from Chanfrau & Chanfrau, serving the Daytona Beach, FL, and Palm Coast, FL, area, offer tips for finding a lawyer who understands your goals and has the resources and knowledge to help you obtain them.
Check with Friends and Acquaintances
Many people don’t even know where to begin when it comes to finding a suitable car accident lawyer. A quick internet search will probably bring up dozens of law firms for any given area, but individuals want to work with someone who has a good reputation of being trustworthy and successful. Sometimes the best place to start the search for a car accident lawyer is with family, friends, and acquaintances. Most people have someone within their circle who has worked with a personal injury attorney. They can share their personal experience and provide recommendations for lawyers who were helpful in their situation.
Consider the Lawyer’s Experience and Knowledge
Whether a lawyer comes personally recommended or was found online, it is important to consider their experience and knowledge. Most lawyers are happy to provide some information about their background, and if they’re not, that could be a red flag. Some important considerations include:
- How long the lawyer and/or law firm has been in practice
- The percentage of the lawyer’s cases that involve car accidents or personal injury
- Whether the lawyer typically represents defendants or plaintiffs
- The lawyer’s experience going to court (versus settling cases pre-trial)
Consider the Size of the Law Firm
The size of a law firm might also influence a person’s decision when choosing a lawyer. Most people prefer a small law firm, because they believe they will get more personalized attention. Having open lines of communication and a good rapport with your lawyer is vital. But there are benefits to a large firm as well. Large firms often have the necessary resources to fully investigate and build a strong case. At Chanfrau & Chanfrau we are small enough to build personal relationships with our clients, but large enough to fully meet our client’s legal needs.
Discuss Settlement Goals
Many car accident victims have an idea of the amount of money they’d like to receive in a car accident settlement. These goals should be discussed at an initial legal consultation, to see if the lawyer and plaintiff are on the same page. If the plaintiff and attorney have completely different goals, they probably will not be a good match.
Contact Chanfrau & Chanfrau
The best way to determine if a car accident lawyer is right for you is to meet with them in person. At Chanfrau & Chanfrau we offer free legal consultations for personal injury cases. To discuss your accident with one of our car accident lawyers, send us a message online, or call our Daytona Beach law office at (386) 258-7313.