Howe Law: Helping Victims Understand What to Look for in a Personal Injury Attorney

Car accidents are all too common these days. Nearly 9,000 people were injured in accidents in Georgia during the last year for which information is available, and almost 2,000 lost their lives. Those figures have been steadily increasing for quite some time, and they’re expected to reach new highs in the years to come.

Accidents seem to be getting more dangerous as well. Experts are attributing this development to several factors. One is an increase in aggressive driving. Another is an uptick in commercial vehicles. Some point to the recent introduction of self-driving vehicles as a culprit as well. With the growing number of accidents and their increasing severity, more people are turning to personal injury attorneys for help with the aftermath. Understanding which qualities to look for in a car accident attorney can help you find the right one to pursue your case and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

Extensive Experience

One of the main traits to look for in an attorney is experience. All attorneys must prove their knowledge by passing the bar exam, and those who do are equally qualified to practice law. Still, the more experience a law firm has, the more capable it is of effectively handling your case. A law firm with over 100 years of experience would certainly have dealt with more accident cases and the variables involved in them than one that only recently opened its doors. Experience is the key to success in the legal world, and it’s bound to work out in your favor.

Contingency Fees

Another point to look into is law firms’ fee structures. For personal injury cases like automobile accidents, it’s best to choose an attorney who works on a contingency fee basis. That means the attorney doesn’t require any payment upfront and only receives payment if you win your case. Not having to pay attorney fees upfront is helpful if you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident and amassed significant medical bills and missed time from work as a result. If you win, your attorney will then take a percentage of your compensation as payment and reimbursement for expenses related to your case.

Communication and Responsiveness

Communication and responsiveness are also essential qualities to look for in an attorney. A personal injury lawyer should be willing to talk with you, answer your questions, and promptly return your calls. He or she should also take the time to explain the finer points of your case, what your options are, and how the legal process works.

An attorney should keep you updated on your case and any new developments that arise as well. Being at your disposal around the clock is certainly a boon. A lawyer who understands the importance of communication and is quick to respond to your needs and concerns can put your mind at ease and help to foster the healing process to an extent. If a lawyer doesn’t have the patience to keep you informed and make sure you understand what’s going on, he or she probably isn’t the right one for you. 

Finding the Right Attorney to Handle Your Car Accident Case

All it takes is a quick online search to find a long list of attorneys who handle car accident cases. Not all of them are right for you. Consider the amount of experience they have in handling cases like yours. Look into their fee structures as well. From there, think about how well they communicate with you and how responsive they are to your questions. Those factors can help you find the right attorney to trust with your car accident case.