If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, you may be angry and want to seek justice. But what exactly does justice mean? Some people believe that they should carry on through life without expecting much. Others believe that justice is a fair and reasonable outcome that protects all parties. This post will provide you with tips on getting started, focusing on what to look for when selecting a lawyer. You may want to hire a personal injury lawyer if you are in an accident.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Even if you know that you are at fault in an accident, you should never admit it. The scene of the accident is probably going to be quite emotional for you. Possibly, you will mentally replay the events that led up to the accident. Perhaps you suddenly realize that you could have avoided the accident had you done something differently. However, talking about this with the other party could seriously damage your chances of a successful case if you need to go to court. This also extends to saying sorry, which can be highly counterintuitive for many people. Nonetheless, you must maintain your resolve until you can speak with a lawyer. However, as an aside, you must always answer truthfully if the police are involved.
Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friends
Many people believe that they will be protected financially in an accident as long as they have insurance. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and most insurance providers will aim to pay the minimum possible, which could still leave you out of pocket in the case of expensive medical bills. Furthermore, these Oakland lawyers suggest that they give their claims adjusters instructions on increasing company revenue rather than paying you the amount you need and deserve. Therefore, the first thing you should have in mind is that you may not receive total compensation. So with this knowledge, what can you do to ensure that your claim is respected?
Speak With An Attorney
No one wants to think of the worst-case scenario, but it is hard to avoid. To ensure that you are not left with any regrets after an accident, it is essential to speak to a lawyer. Attorneys can provide legal advice on how to handle your case and what your options are, which, as discussed earlier, could be advising you that your insurance company isn’t being entirely honest. However, it goes further than that in the sense that they will be in your corner aiming to get a satisfactory outcome.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing A Lawyer?
There are numerous things that you should look into when looking for legal representation. Because it can be challenging to change halfway through a trial, try to find the right one the first time. In any case, you can use some of the tips below to understand better how to proceed.
Field Of Expertise
While you will likely be looking for a personal injury lawyer, there are different subfields that they may be able to handle. For example, if you had an accident at work, you should look for a worker’s compensation lawyer. Alternatively, if your accident occurred on government property, you will need a lawyer who can specialize in working with public officials.
Experience
An experienced attorney is worth their weight in gold. As a result, they will not only have extensive knowledge built up over years of experience, but they will also be able to remain flexible and view your issue from different perspectives. Furthermore, lawyers with many years of experience will also have an extensive network of colleagues and acquaintances who could prove beneficial in your case.
Cost
It is no secret that hiring a lawyer can be a costly undertaking. However, there are usually different options of payment that you can choose from if you discuss with your chosen law firm. You can pay in several ways, including:
- Hourly fees: This is a good option if you only want basic legal advice and represent yourself. However, if you need more extensive help, this option can become expensive very quickly.
- Retainer: A retainer may be charged in advance, depending on the lawyer. This will secure their services, but you will still need to work out a final payment option.
- Contingency Fee: Generally, personal injury lawyers use this fee structure. It means that attorneys are paid if they recover money for their clients.
Personality
The personality of your lawyer will play a large part in how successful you will be. You want someone sympathetic to your cause but ruthlessly efficient when representing you in court.
There are many ways to seek justice after you’ve been in an accident. However, your first cause of action should be to seek advice from a lawyer to help you get through your situation.
