If you were recently injured in a car accident, you might feel stressed and overwhelmed at the thought of paying for medical bills, vehicle repairs, and being out of work while recovering.
If you find yourself Googling “getting a lawyer after a car accident” or “should I hire an attorney after a car accident?” know that you are not alone.
Moments after hitting enter on your search, you are bound to be flooded with hundreds of results from nearby car accident attorneys.
It can feel daunting trying to choose one blindly, so we put together this list of 5 tips for hiring an attorney after a car accident that you can use to guide you in your search.
5 Tips for Getting a Lawyer After a Car Accident in North Carolina
What happens when you hire a lawyer for a car accident? The attorney you decide to retain will represent you through the investigation, negotiation, and legal proceedings after your accident with the goal of getting you the justice and compensation you deserve for your injury. Here are five tips to help you choose the right lawyer for you.
1. Ask the People Closest to You
One of the best tips we can provide to people searching for a car accident attorney is to ask your family and friends. Just as you might ask a relative for a plumber or electrician recommendation, you should tap into those resources when hiring an attorney.
In 2022, over 273,000 motor vehicle accidents occurred in North Carolina. With such a high occurrence rate, it is probable that someone in your life has been in a car accident and sought the legal help of an attorney who can recommend you.
They will likely refer you to them if they had a positive outcome and exceptional experience with a specific lawyer. On the other hand, if they had an unfavorable experience, they can advise you to steer clear of that particular firm or attorney.
Hearing someone you trust’s personal experience is invaluable and probably one of the most significant resources when looking for a car accident lawyer.
2. Research Prospective Lawyers and Firms Online
While we certainly do not recommend relying solely on the internet or even using it as a starting point in your search, we acknowledge that it can be a helpful tool in your search.
Once you have gathered a list of potential car accident lawyers from family and friends or other resources, you can turn to Google to research those individuals further. You can gain valuable insight by reading reviews, ratings, statistics, and attorney achievements.
It can also shed light on their area of focus. Not all car accident lawyers practice solely or primarily in personal injury law. You will want to choose an attorney with this specific experience, and you can gain a sense of that by turning to their website and other attorney review sites such as Avvo and Yelp. Turning to the internet can help you narrow your list of potential candidates.
3. Interview Prospective Law Firms and Lawyers
Most car accident law firms and lawyers offer free case assessments and initial consultations. Once you have a short list of potential attorneys you are considering hiring, you should schedule a consultation with them.
Here, you can let the attorney know what happened and why you are seeking their assistance, but it is also a good time for you to learn more about who they are professionally.
By the end of the consultation, you should have a better sense of whether you will work well with this specific attorney and whether they will be the ones to represent you on your car accident claim. At Mehta & McConnell, we always offer free no-obligation initial consultations.
4. Check Availability and Workload
Although often a part of the initial consultation, you should check with the attorney about their upcoming availability and current workload. You want to ensure they have the time to dedicate to your case.
While you can flat-out ask them about their schedule and availability, you can also pick up on it by paying attention to details during your consultation.
For instance, if they constantly take phone calls or allow interruptions during your meeting, it might be a sign they will need to give your case more attention.
5. Contact Your Local Bar Association
A good tip for hiring a lawyer after a car accident is to contact your local or state bar association. Attorneys often join these associations’ referral lists.
You can turn to the North Carolina State Bar Association or other local or personal injury groups to gather a list of potential car accident attorney names near you.
What to Avoid
Just as important as these five tips for hiring a car accident attorney are red flags to avoid.
After a car accident, one of the giant red flags to be aware of and avoid is attorneys directly soliciting your business. Often referred to as ambulance chases because they target vulnerable accident victims for their business, it is wise to avoid hiring these individuals.
North Carolina Car Accident Attorneys
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we are a new firm with over 30 years of combined legal experience. We are innovative yet experienced and always advocate for the injured.
We are here to help you if you were recently involved in a car wreck and are seeking legal help. Contact us today to schedule a free and compassionate consultation.
Jason McConnell
Jason McConnell is the managing attorney of Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers, a Charlotte, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law firm. In his free time he enjoys playing golf, cooking, traveling and following the UNC Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers.
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