Suppose you live in or near Waco, Texas, and were recently injured in a car accident. In that case, you may have found yourself typing an internet search for “car accident lawyer near me” or “best car accident lawyer,” hoping the perfect attorney would be jumping off the screen at you.
However, when you hit enter on your keyboard, you were probably inundated with results. The sheer number of results may make you feel overwhelmed and anxious. We compiled this list of 8 tips for finding the right car accident lawyer for you.
8 Tips & Advice for Finding the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near You
In and around a city like Waco, hundreds of personal injury attorneys handle car accident claims. However, finding the best option for you and your case can be challenging without some guidance. Here are our 8 recommendations on how to find the right lawyer for you.
1. Ask Your Friends and Family
By far, our number one tip for choosing a car accident attorney is to ask your friends, family, and even colleagues. More than likely, someone in your life has experienced their own car accident and case for compensation. If their case was successful and they had a pleasant experience with their attorney, they will likely refer you to them.
On the other hand, if your friend or relative does not have good experience, they will advise you to steer clear of that particular lawyer or law firm. Either way, tapping into the resources closest to you can lead you to the best recommendations.
2. Read Online Reviews and Ratings
While we do not recommend relying solely on internet reviews and ratings, turning to the lawyer’s webpage or other attorney review sites like Avvo or Superlawyers can help you narrow your options. You can learn more about the attorney’s experience and what past clients think of them.
For instance, you may have been considering a particular attorney and then learned through reviews that they handle more slip-and-fall cases than car accident cases. This may be your sign to move on to the next name on your list.
3. Schedule Initial Consultations
Once you have narrowed down a short list of attorneys, you should schedule consultations with each. Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations, so it will not cost you anything to meet with them and see how they can help you with your case.
During the meeting, you can ask the lawyer questions about their experience, workload, and availability. Use this meeting to understand whether this particular attorney and law firm will be a right fit for you. When you leave the consultation, you should know whether that is the best choice for you.
4. Check with Your Local And State Bar Associations
Most people do not know that attorneys put their names onto referral lists for their local and state bar associations. You can obtain a solid list of reputable car accident lawyers by contacting the Texas Personal Injury or Waco Bar Associations. You may be able to access these lists online or get a referral by calling the organization. Together with our other tips, you will be well on your way to finding the right attorney to represent you.
5. Avoid Soliciting Attorneys
Just as important as our tips on what to do are some tips on what to avoid in your search for a car accident lawyer. You want to avoid soliciting attorneys or “ambulance chasers” as they are often called. These attorneys target accident victims in an effort to gain their business during a time of vulnerability. If an attorney appears desperate for your business, this is a red flag that you want to avoid.
6. Avoid Non-Attorney Services
In addition to avoiding soliciting attorneys, you should avoid using non-attorney services. These businesses may promise you fast results but often come at a high price tag. It is also important to remember that attorneys are bound by rules of professionalism and ethics while non-attorneys are not.
While the promises these companies make may sound appealing, we strongly recommend that when pursuing compensation for a car crash, you should utilize an experienced and professional attorney.
7. Trust Your Gut
Lastly, but most importantly, trust your gut when trying to find the best car accident lawyer to represent you. When reading reviews, speaking with friends, or meeting with a potential attorney, if it doesn’t feel like a good fit, it isn’t. Conversely, if you have a great first consultation with a lawyer and feel you will work well together, go with that feeling.
8. Act Quickly
In Texas, you generally only have two years from the date of the accident to pursue a civil lawsuit for damages. It is essential to act quickly to find a lawyer and file your claim. You may think two years is a long time, but if you suffered severe injuries, the time can go by quickly when you are in the midst of recovery and trying to rebuild your life.
You must initiate your case within the applicable statute of limitations to pursue compensation. Practically, it is also best to begin your claim soon after the accident for several reasons, including:
- Gathering and preserving evidence,
- Memories are still fresh,
- Witness availability, and
- The sooner you act, the sooner you will receive compensation.
There are also a handful of situations in which you may have more or less time to file your claim, so it is important to meet with an attorney right away to determine the applicable time frame.
Waco, Texas Car Accident Lawyers
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we are experienced Waco car accident lawyers with the knowledge and resources necessary to help you see your case through to success.
Here, our clients are more than just numbers. The attorney you meet with at your consultation will be with you every step of the way. It is our personalized attention and compassion that separate us from the rest. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Where to find our Waco office:
Michael Zimmerman
Michael nació en Houston, Texas. Estudió en las universidades de Baylor y Texas State, donde se licenció en Ciencias en 1987. Se especializó en Biología y en Química. Terminó su educación legal en Texas Southern University en 1990, obteniendo un Doctorado en Derecho de la Escuela de Derecho Thurgood Marshall. Fue admitido en el Colegio de Abogados del Estado de Texas en 1990.
Valora este post
Cargando...