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How to Hire a Lawyer for a Car Accident

You’ve been in a car accident. If you sustained any injuries you’re probably going to need a personal injury lawyer.

Here’s what you need to consider as you search for a lawyer. This guide will help you choose the personal injury lawyer that’s right for you.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for a car accident?

You are significantly more likely to receive a payout for your car accident case if you get a lawyer involved. One Nolo.com study showed that 91% of car accident victims received a payout when they hired a lawyer, but only 51% got payouts when representing themselves.

Having a lawyer can increase the amount of money that you can make from your case to a significant degree. From the same research:

“After deducting the average 32% contingency fee reported by our readers, they ended up with net payouts that were nearly three times higher, on average, than what unrepresented readers received.” 

What happens if you try to represent yourself?

Several things happen.

First, the insurance company doesn’t take you as seriously. They’ll tend to lowball offers. They’ll try to slip traps into every conversation. They might also find ways to stall you until the statute of limitations runs out.

If the case goes to trial you’ll be expected to know everything a lawyer knows and to conduct yourself in the courtroom just as a lawyer would. As this is an impossible task for most people you’re likely to see your case fail, which means you may not recover any money at all.

Are there any car accident cases that don’t need lawyers?

Yes. Cases where the vehicle has been damaged but no people have been injured don’t usually need lawyers, especially if the police have already declared one driver to be at fault. Usually, the at-fault driver pays those claims pretty quietly.

Why? Because those claims tend to be pretty inexpensive for insurance companies. It’s not worth it to them to drag their feet and fight about it. 

Injuries are what make a case expensive. Doctor bills, lost wages, long-term care bills, pain and suffering…it all adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. These are the claims that insurance companies want to avoid paying.

You do not have to try to guess though. Any personal injury lawyer will happily review your case for free to help you determine if hiring a lawyer is necessary or appropriate. 

When should I hire a car accident lawyer?

You should hire a lawyer when we recommend contacting a lawyer as soon as you are medically capable of choosing one and making the phone call.

One of three things will happen. 

Maybe the lawyer tells you that you don’t need help, in which case you call two or three more to ensure that you’re getting the same answer each time.

Or maybe the lawyer tells you that he thinks you’re at fault or that you don’t have a strong case. Again, get a couple of other opinions before simply giving up.

Or maybe the lawyer says, “Thank goodness you called me.” And then the lawyer will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and any other organization they need to deal with to protect you. You’ll avoid saying or doing anything which can devalue your case. And you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re in good hands. 

It is never too early to hire a car accident lawyer. There’s no set period of time you have to wait before you talk to a lawyer. 

What percentage do car accident lawyers get?

In Alberta typical percentages range from 25% to 45%. The percentage can depend on the experience that the lawyer has as well as the amount of time the lawyer thinks the case might take, or the amount of money the lawyer might need to invest into experts and other costs.

This is a contingency fee. If the lawyer doesn’t win the lawyer gets nothing. 

While these percentages sound high remember that you are always going to get more money with a lawyer’s help, even after fees are accounted for. 

Should I look for a litigator or a negotiator?

It’s important to choose a personal injury lawyer who has both skillsets. 

90% of cases settle out of court. Negotiation is a vital skill, as is the ability to value a case and run the negotiation in light of that valuation. You want someone who can clearly and concisely lay out an argument for a fair settlement but who isn’t overly combative.

You also want someone with extensive litigation experience because you can’t predict when a case will have to move to trial. You want someone who will prepare rigorously as if that case could go to trial at any moment. You want someone who is ready to fight for your rights. 

How do I know a car accident lawyer is right for me?

First, explore the lawyer’s reputation and track record using any online resources you can find. For example, it’s a good idea to look at the lawyer’s online reviews. 

Second, talk to the lawyer. You’re going to be working closely with this individual for the next 18 months. Do you feel comfortable with this person? Do you feel like they are responsive to your needs? Care about the outcome you receive? Are empathetic and easy to talk to? Do they seem willing to answer your questions and hear out your concerns? You can also ask the lawyer about recent victories. Have they handled cases similar to yours in the past? Getting along with a lawyer is wonderful, but only if that person also has the skill to guide your case to its best outcome. 

Ultimately only you can answer those questions. The choice is a highly personal one.

When making that choice, consider our team. Our caring lawyers have decades of experience working with cases just like yours. Call (403) 237-9777 today for your initial consultation. We’re ready and willing to help. 

Frequently Asked Question: How to hire a lawyer for a car accident?

If you have any confusion regarding hiring a lawyer for a car accident, then have a quick go through the below most asked queries to solve all your dilemmas:

When should I hire a lawyer after an accident?

Although you can hire a lawyer after a couple of days of the accident, yet the best time to hire one is as soon as possible. The quicker you will be in taking action, the better it will be for your case.

Moreover, your lawyer will get the time to strategize and plan accordingly to make it a stronger one. And the stronger it becomes, the higher the chances of winning the case will be.

What is the average fee for a lawyer?

Generally, a personal injury lawyer’s hourly fees range from $100 to $300, depending on their experience and expertise levels.

What can a car accident lawyer do for you?

A car accident lawyer can be your saviour in one of the most challenging phases of your life. Whether it be doing paperwork, collecting evidence, negotiating with the insurance companies or fighting for your legal rights and compensation in court, they will always be there to support and guide you in every step.

Is it worth it to get a lawyer for a car accident?

Of course, it is worth every penny to get a lawyer for a car accident, especially after encountering one of the most tragic experiences of one’s life. An accident is an accident, whether minor or major. It is the capacity to leave a embark for an entire lifetime either physically/mentally or both.

Hence, hiring one will definitely make things easier for you. From doing all the paperwork to guiding you in every step and fighting the case, they will be your true saviour from all perspective

What is a good settlement offer?

A good settlement offer consists of all the noteworthy losses one experiences after the accident. It is basically the aftermath equations that a personal injury lawyer calculates and makes depending on the severity of the incident. For instance, medical treatment, present and future lost wages, justification of any wrongful death, any disabilities, etc

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