Catie Moore
When you get behind the wheel and drive on any of the Pennsylvania roads, there is always a risk of a car accident. A rogue driver may rear-end you, T-bone your car, or cause any other car accident.
For these reasons, finding the most suitable car accident attorney is essential. This guide intends to do that and provides tips for finding the best car accident lawyer for your case.
Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney?
If you are a victim of a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. But the road to compensation is not easy. You will often benefit from a guide, someone who can tell you the dos and don’ts based on their experience in the field. This is where an expert, such as Rich Godshall, comes into play. Such experts make your journey to compensation much easier and more efficient.
The Path to the Right Attorney
So, how do you go about finding one? And not just any lawyer, but one who has your best interests at heart? Here’s how:
Look for Referrals and Reviews
Finding a car accident attorney does not have to be complicated. You can start by asking your close friends and acquaintances.
Have any of them sought similar services before? If you find someone who has worked with a Pennsylvania car accident attorney, ask for their contact details and experience with the lawyer.
This will help you build a potential list of candidates to choose from. You can also look for attorneys on the web. Go to customer review sites like Trustpilot, Google, and Yelp. There, you can find actual client reviews of people who have worked with Pennsylvania car accident attorneys.
Look for Local Law Firms
“You should begin searching for an attorney actively practicing in your state. A Pennsylvania lawyer is more acquainted with the keystone state’s laws. Take, for instance, the statute of limitations. While it is two years in Pennsylvania, other states like Florida have broader windows of up to four years,” says personal injury lawyer Rich Godshall of Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers.
Personal injury law varies from state to state, so a local lawyer can be a valuable resource. A local lawyer is also more familiar with your local judicial system. They may have worked with the judge presiding over your case before, automatically putting them in a better position to handle your case.
Schedule a Consultation
Next, you should schedule a consultation with your ideal car accident attorney. Most lawyers do not charge for initial consultations, so it doesn’t hurt to schedule multiple of them. This will make it easier to narrow down to your ideal attorney.
During the interview, be meticulous and exhaustive. Ask the lawyer how long they have handled personal injury cases like yours and what their success rates are.
Also, ask them if they will handle your case or if you will be assigned to a different attorney. Talking to the attorney assigned to your case is ideal, as it lets you get acquainted with them.
Understand their Fees
The contingency fee structure is shared among personal injury attorneys. This means their pay comes from a portion of your compensation should you win the case. Hence, be sure to understand if you are required to pay any upfront fees during your consultation.
Trust your Instincts
Car accidents can leave you traumatized with injuries that take a long time to heal. As such, your ideal personal injury lawyer should be the one who understands your pain and has your best interests at heart. If your instincts tell you otherwise, it’s best to keep looking.
End Note
Finding the right car accident attorney is extremely important for the outcome of your case. Many things depend on your attorney, especially the compensation. So, it becomes vital to choose an attorney who aligns with your case and has experience in successfully handling cases similar to yours.
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