If you were in an auto crash in or around Algonquin, chances are high that you need a car accident lawyer. But not just any legal representation will do. After all, the money received in your claim is meant to cover medical bills, damages and even missed work that directly resulted from the accident. If you don’t get enough money to cover those, you’ll have to come out of pocket for them – and you want to limit the financial impacts of your car accident as much as possible.
So, how can you pick the best Algonquin car accident lawyer for your case? Below, we provide all the information you need to make an informed hiring decision you can feel confident in.
How to Choose an Algonquin Car Accident Lawyer
To choose the best car accident attorney for your specific needs, find someone who works in your region with experience, a positive reputation, excellent communication skills, and a payment plan that works for you.
Experience
Look for someone with ample experience in cases like yours. This means finding someone who deals specifically with car accidents. If there are special circumstances surrounding your accident (like a pedestrian being hit or a government vehicle involvement), try to find someone with experience in those specifically.
A car accident lawyer’s website should detail how long they’ve been practicing. You should take this further and ask about the attorney’s track record of successful negotiations or court cases.
Reputation
Find someone with an excellent reputation, not only in successfully negotiating car accident cases but also for customer service. First, you’ll want to check that the attorney you hope to use is registered with the Illinois State Bar Association. Then, you should read reviews left by previous clients. You can find these reviews on Facebook, Google or the attorney’s website.
The car accident lawyer you choose should have a positive reputation overall. Avoid anyone with consistently low ratings or numerous complaints.
Communication
You’ll need a consultation to assess an attorney’s communication skills. Look for someone who:
- Clearly explains things you don’t understand
- Practices active listening skills
- Makes you feel like they care about your pain and suffering
- Plainly details what you should expect from your case process
Not sure what questions you should be asking? You can find questions to ask a car accident lawyer during your consultation in the section below.
Location
Find someone licensed to work in your city or county with an office convenient to your location. For example, you wouldn’t want to travel all the way to Galena every time you need to meet with your attorney. Choosing someone local to Algonquin or the nearby Chicago suburbs is a much better option.
Payment
You’ll want to discuss payment options and ensure the attorney you hire has one that works for you. Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they receive a percentage of your settlement money rather than a flat rate. Although it can vary, the typical contingency fee is between 33% and 40% of your total settlement.
Some attorneys may charge a flat rate fee instead, which can vary significantly from one to the next. Some may charge a combination of flat rate and contingency fees. Since there is a lot of cost and fee structure variation, you must discuss this before signing any contracts.
Questions to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer During Your Consultation
One of the best ways to assess an attorney’s communication skills, knowledge and experience is to schedule a consultation. Most lawyers offer free consultations (usually 30 minutes) to discuss your case. For car accidents, the consultation should determine if your case requires an attorney and whether you are a good fit to work together.
Asking the right questions during your consultation is imperative. Below are a few crucial questions to work into that first meeting.
Does my case have any deadlines?
Many personal injury claims have deadlines on when you can file and how long the other party can be held responsible. However, this can vary significantly from one location to the next and from one type of case to the next. Only an attorney can tell you for sure if there are deadlines or limitations associated with your case.
Based on your initial review, do you think my case will go to trial?
While a few car accident cases must go to trial, most don’t. A car accident lawyer with extensive experience in cases like yours will know if you’re one of the exceptions.
How do you communicate with your clients?
Open communication is crucial between an attorney and their client. Asking these questions determines the lawyer’s preferred contact methods and gives an idea of how hard it will be to reach them. Most lawyers prefer email but also communicate via phone calls and sometimes texts.
What do you believe my case is worth?
This question can help assess a lawyer’s experience and knowledge. However, their estimate during your consultation isn’t a final number and shouldn’t be taken as such.
Are there any steps I should immediately take to protect my car accident case?
Some cases can be more challenging and require additional steps to protect your claim. Things like not admitting fault, saving images from the scene and keeping detailed medical records are examples of answers here.
Are you the actual car accident attorney who will be working on my case?
This question is so important! In some law firms with multiple attorneys, the one you consult with may not handle your case. You have the right to know who will represent you!
Is being a car accident lawyer your legal specialty or something else?
A car accident lawyer is a personal injury lawyer, and many other things fall under that umbrella. For example, these attorneys also handle slips and falls, dog bites, wrongful death, product liability, etc. You want to find something who specializes in being a car accident lawyer to have the best chance of winning your case.
Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
After a car accident, it’s normal to have many questions about obtaining an attorney. Below, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions people have on the topic. We hope you find them helpful!
Why do I need a car accident lawyer?
A car accident lawyer specializes in handling cases involving personal injury and vehicle accidents. They can help you navigate insurance claims, negotiate settlements and represent you in court, if necessary. Most importantly, they’ll ensure you receive fair compensation for damages, medical costs and other costs associated with the accident.
How can I find a reputable car accident lawyer?
We discussed how to choose the right attorney above, but you may be wondering where to find local practitioners to begin with. You can start by asking for recommendations from friends, family or even other lawyers you trust. Online searches are also an excellent option.
What if the insurance company offers me a settlement soon after the accident?
It’s important to consult with a car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer from the insurance company. A lawyer can assess whether the offer is fair and negotiate on your behalf for a better outcome.
What if I’m partially at fault for the car accident?
Even if you are partially at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation depending on the laws of your state. A good car accident lawyer can help you navigate comparative negligence rules and work to minimize your liability.
Can a car accident lawyer help if the accident involves a commercial vehicle or a government entity?
Yes, but these types of accidents require greater care when choosing representation. Cases involving commercial vehicles or government entities can be more complex due to additional regulations and potential liability issues. Hiring a car accident lawyer with experience handling these specific cases is crucial to protect your rights.
Need an Algonquin Car Accident Lawyer? You Probably Need a Chiropractor…
If you’re searching for an Algonquin car accident lawyer, you should also probably be searching for a chiropractor. Car accidents often cause severe pain that may not immediately show up because of the adrenaline rush a crisis causes to occur.
Many people begin to experience back pain and neck pain a few days following their accident. Unfortunately, this can often make it challenging to prove these injuries happened due to your accident. For this reason, we recommend reaching out to a chiropractor as soon as possible – even if you don’t feel any initial discomfort.
At Algonquin Chiropractic Center, we use a range of holistic treatment options to ease pain and conditions caused by car accidents. While whiplash is one of the most common injuries in an accident, we can also use our treatment modalities to treat herniated discs and torn ligaments that resulted from your accident.
You don’t have to live in pain after an accident! While your car accident lawyer fights for your well-deserved claim, Dr. Galante can fight for your health! Call us today at (847) 854-2000 or click the button below to find new patient forms to get started.