After the shock of a car accident wears off, you’re left wondering whether it’s possible to sue the driver who hit you. Accident-related medical bills aren’t cheap, and depending on your injuries, you might be too hurt to work. It makes sense that you’d want to recover damages in the event of another driver’s negligence.
Here’s how to choose the right New Jersey car accident lawyer for your case.
Look for Experience
When you’ve been in a car accident, you don’t want a lawyer who has only ever handled divorce cases. You want someone who has worked on a case like yours.
You can find information about a lawyer’s main practice area on their website. Once there, look for an “About Us” or “Qualifications“ page. A good lawyer will describe their experience, how many years they’ve been practicing, and the outcomes they’ve achieved for clients.
Check Out Their Reviews
Ages ago, car accident victims had no way to tell how good a lawyer was besides word of mouth. Today, you can easily find dozens of reviews for any New Jersey car accident attorney online.
When you look up reviews for a lawyer, what’s the overall sentiment from their clients? Do they seem mostly pleased, or does the lawyer have a ton of complaints? If it’s the latter, steer clear of them and find an attorney with better reviews.
Ask for Referrals
Friends, family, and even people you work with can be a great source for attorney referrals. If you’re fortunate enough to know an attorney personally, ask whether they can refer you to a New Jersey car accident lawyer who handles cases like yours, assuming they don’t already have the requisite experience.
Schedule a Consultation
When you think you’ve found the right lawyer for your car accident case, set up a consultation to meet with them. Many attorneys don’t charge for the first consultation, so use this to your advantage by talking to a few different lawyers before you choose.
Arrive at your consultation with any documents related to your case, such as accident reports, witness statements, or medical bills. The attorney will review these documents to determine whether your case is worth pursuing.
It’s also smart to come prepared with a list of questions to ask, such as:
- Have you handled cases like mine before? If so, what were the outcomes of those cases?
- What challenges, if any, do you foresee having with my case?
- Do you expect my case to settle out of court?
- How long could the case take?
- What are your fees? Do you work on contingency, or will I have to pay upfront?
Talk About Your Settlement Goals
Medical bills and vehicle damage can total thousands of dollars. Auto insurance companies will likely agree to pay you a settlement, but will it cover everything you’d like it to?
Probably not. When you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, it’s their job to convince you to settle for as little as possible.
Insurance companies want to pay you as little as they can. To avoid a hefty settlement, they might downplay your injuries by claiming you weren’t that hurt, especially if you didn’t see a doctor immediately after the crash. They might also try to blame you for the accident even if you weren’t at fault.
This is precisely why you need a skilled car accident lawyer by your side. A law firm can talk to the insurance company on your behalf to avoid saying anything that could tank your case.
Before hiring a lawyer, ask about their negotiation strategy. A good lawyer won’t simply accept the first meager settlement offer that the insurance company throws your way.
Ask the lawyer what will happen if the insurance company gives you an insultingly low offer. How many rounds of negotiation will they go through before taking the case to court?
Depending on your case, the lawyer might advise you to skip negotiations and head straight to court instead. This can happen if the lawyer thinks you have a particularly strong case and stand to win more money by going to trial.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Who Will Fight for You
Choosing the right New Jersey car accident lawyer for your case is a big decision. When you need a tough lawyer to build a strong case for you, contact the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore, P.C.
Call (856) 433-6173 for a consultation regarding your New Jersey car accident case today.
