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Los Angeles is known for a lot of great things. One not-so-great thing is the traffic. On the highways, there are endless streams of cars that result in more than 55,000 accidents a year in the city.
In most circumstances, insurance carriers deal with accidents without concern. However, there are times when having the best accident lawyers in Los Angeles will help you get the remuneration you deserve.
When you need a lawyer, you don’t want just anyone to take the case. You want an experienced veteran who is able to fight for you and deal with the other party, their insurance company, and your own carrier when necessary. We put together what you need to think about when looking for a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
How To Find a Car Accident Lawyer near me
Car accident lawyers fall into the category of personal injury attorneys, and Los Angeles has a lot of them with billboards and bus ads everywhere. Because there are so many options to choose from, you should systematically approach how you interview and choose a car accident lawyer.
Here are five things to consider when choosing a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
Ask Friends for Referrals
Because there are so many accidents each year, there is little doubt that someone in your network of friends, family, and coworkers has had an accident and needed an attorney.
Ask around to get referrals and don’t hesitate to ask what they liked and disliked about the attorney. Remember that there are a lot of lawyers to choose from, and you don’t have to take just anyone. You want the right fit for you in your time of need.
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Get Car Accident Experts
Because car accident attorneys are generally personal injury attorneys, they may cover more than just car accidents. Feel free to ask about their niche and what they specialize in to make sure that they have the background and resources to address your case properly.
If the lawyer does other personal injury cases such as workers’ compensation, ask them what percentage of their caseload is on car accidents. This is important because you want someone versed in dealing with car insurance companies.
Find Out About Fees
Most car accident lawyers will not charge you an hourly fee to retain them. They work on contingency, which is excellent in most cases. What you want to be careful about here is the amount they charge.
Los Angeles car accident lawyers generally charge between 33% and 40% of your settlement or judgment. Red flags should pop up with lawyers that charge more. Rarely will this yield higher settlements for you that are worth the extra fees.
Research Their Prior Litigation Experience
Only about 5% of car accident cases go to trial. This is a small percentage, meaning that litigation experience is not always a significant consideration.
However, if you were involved in a serious accident with significant injuries, you want a lawyer who can go the distance. In serious cases, you may be seeking lost wages with considerable pain and suffering damages.
Not every car accident lawyer has the courtroom experience to handle big cases.
Set Clear Expectations For Communication
Many lawyers are good at selling their services but lack regular communication skills when in the middle of a case. Because a car accident case can go on for a while, especially if your injuries are lingering, you want to know what to expect by way of communication from your lawyer.
Ask how often they send updates and how. Some lawyers will communicate primarily via email. You may prefer someone who picks up the phone. Find a lawyer who communicates in the manner you prefer.
Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Not every car accident will warrant the need to hire a lawyer. You’ll want to get legal representation if your injuries are severe, especially if you are getting the run around from insurance companies.
Keep in mind that if you were hit by someone else, it is their insurance company that handles your claim, and that insurance company’s goal is to pay the least amount possible.
Without a lawyer, you might not be aware of all of your rights to compensation. Plus, dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating, so having someone take the lead on it can be nice.
Getting the Most Out of Your Case
To get the most out of your car accident case, you want to provide your lawyer with as many details and as much evidence as possible. Make sure that you get the contact information of witnesses and file a police report for the accident.
Coordinate communication between your doctors and your legal team to ensure that it has the medical details about your case that help determine your settlement.
Your lawyer may have referrals to doctors who specialize in injury cases and can better assist you with your injuries and are also versed in documenting things succinctly for lawyers. Communication among your whole team is imperative to maximizing your case results.
