Finding a qualified lawyer to represent you in an auto accident case can greatly influence the outcome of your claim. Statistically, individuals who work with a lawyer win higher settlements than those who do not, and the difference can be thousands of dollars. Choosing the right lawyer for your case is just as important as deciding to get legal representation in the first place. So, how can you find the best accident lawyers in San Antonio?
How to Find the Best Accident Lawyers in Your Area
If you feel overwhelmed by the number of lawyers practicing in San Antonio, it’s time to narrow your search. By learning more about the candidates and the firms they work with, you will be able to find an attorney with the qualifications needed to take on your case.
If your accident took place in Texas, you will need a lawyer who is licensed to practice in this state. Local traffic laws can vary from county to county, so it could be beneficial to choose a lawyer who is familiar with the area where your crash occurred. Once you have identified some prospects, you can focus on the following techniques for vetting them:
Choose a Lawyer Within the Legal Specialty That Fits Your Case
If you were injured in a car crash, you will want to narrow your search to personal injury lawyers who focus on car accident cases. While many attorneys are licensed to practice law in Texas, not all are familiar with the personal injury niche. In addition to car crashes, personal injury law covers workplace injuries, premises liability, medical malpractice, and other kinds of accidents.
When you have found a personal injury law firm, you should choose a lawyer who has argued many car accident cases, thereby building a substantial frame of reference. A qualified car accident lawyer should be able to take on cases involving personal-use vehicles, motorcycles, commercial trucks, and complicating factors such as a wrongful death.
Match the Lawyer to the Details of Your Accident
Once you have identified a law firm that specializes in personal injury and handles many vehicle accidents, you may want to ask whether or not the specific details of your case align with their experience. For example, if your accident involved a faulty car part, the lawyer you choose should be familiar with product liability laws. Similarly, if the driver who hit you did not have insurance, your lawyer should be able to identify alternative sources of compensation.
Other scenarios that might require specific expertise include:
- Hit-and-runs
- Accidents involving a government vehicle
- Accidents involving a motorcycle or a semi-truck
- Comparative-fault issues
- Collisions with bicyclists and pedestrians
- Catastrophic injury cases
- Wrongful death cases
- Cases in which the plaintiff had a preexisting condition at the time of the accident
- Crashes involving self-driving vehicles
Ask If the Lawyer Is Willing to Take Your Case to Court
If you are sorting out the aftermath of a car crash for the first time, you might not know that you won’t necessarily need to go to court to win compensation from the other driver or his/her insurance company. Most cases end in a settlement offer, which saves everyone time and legal fees.
While settling can be highly beneficial when given a fair offer, your lawyer should still be willing to take the case all the way to court if necessary. Some lawyers try to take on a high quantity of cases to maximize their profits, avoiding litigation because going to trial requires additional time. Refusing to litigate at the expense of the client runs contrary to bar association standards and reduces your bargaining power with the insurance company.
Check the Firm’s Standing Within the San Antonio Community
A credible law firm will have a healthy network of professional connections and satisfied former clients. Good standing within the community can be a big asset to your case if you need to involve expert witnesses. Your lawyer should know who to call if you need to find an accident reconstruction expert to identify fault, a doctor to confirm your injuries, or an accountant to calculate the income you missed.
Checking online reviews is generally a way to start learning whether or not the law firm you have selected has a positive track record. You can even contact the firm and request referrals from clients whose cases were similar to yours. Your accident claim could be worth tens of thousands of dollars, and you do not want to risk working with an under qualified law firm.
Meet With the Accident Lawyers Virtually or In Person
Regardless of a lawyer’s credentials, it is important that you feel good about the connection and can communicate well together. One of the most important ways a lawyer can serve you is by making sure you understand the relevant nuances of personal injury law so that you can make informed decisions about your case.
Before solidifying the client-lawyer relationship, you will have the opportunity to schedule a consultation. You can prepare for this meeting by reviewing the facts of your accident and gathering any evidence you already have, including videos and photographs of the crash. If you feel good about the lawyer’s skills and he or she agrees to take on your case, you will sign a contract that allows the lawyer to represent you and protects the confidentiality of all of your conversations.
Make Sure the Fee Structure Is Reasonable for You
Having a lawyer should take a lot of the stress out of seeking compensation without adding additional burdens. The best personal injury law firms understand that, due to the nature of the kind of law they practice, charging legal fees upfront is not beneficial to most clients. You should be able to find a highly qualified car accident attorney who works on a contingency fee basis and will schedule your initial consultation free of charge.
According to the contingency fee model, you will pay a percentage of your settlement to the lawyer. That means that if you do not win any compensation for your losses, you risk nothing. In your initial meeting with the lawyer, you can ask about how court fees and other related expenses are handled. Some clients pay them upfront, while others take them out of the settlement at the end.
Tell Us About Your Case
We understand that each car accident creates a unique set of circumstances that need to be addressed individually to maximize the claimant’s compensation. When we meet with you, we will take the time to understand what happened on the road and how your injuries have impacted your day-to-day life. During the consultation, we will give you an overview of some legal strategies that could put pressure on the liable party to cover your losses.
At the end of our meeting, we will discuss possible outcomes for your case. To set up a time to speak with us, call 210-951-2024.
Our multilingual law firm has been serving the Texas community for over four decades. We have helped clients secure multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases. By using proven investigation techniques, we will get to the bottom of your case in order to hold the liable party accountable for funding your recovery. To speak with our accident attorneys, contact Joe A. Gamez Law Firm, PLC.