Car accidents happen on a sliding scale of severity. On one end of the spectrum, a tiny fender bender will leave you with a little dent—and steam shooting out of your ears—but otherwise unharmed. On the other end of the spectrum, car accidents in Canada accounted for 10,315 serious personal injuries and 1,923 fatalities in 2013. While personal injury lawyers are unnecessary for those fender benders, they can be crucial in helping you get through the aftermath of a devastating car accident—especially during a time when you need to focus on recovery and family, not lawsuits. But, with so many personal injury firms out there, choosing an auto accident lawyer can be a tough undertaking. Here are some tips to give you a better understanding of what you need to look for.
Plaintiff or Defendant?
When choosing an auto accident lawyer, your first step should be to look for the right type of lawyer for your case. Most firms focus on representing either the plaintiff (i.e. the person filing the suit) or the defendant (i.e. the person being sued).
Finding a Trustworthy Firm
It being the 21st century, finding information on a wealth of personal injury lawyers has never been easier. Fire up Google and take some time to look at different firms’ websites. Examine the services they offer, the experience they have, and their consultation policy. This last point is key: make sure that the firm offers free consultations, as you don’t want to end up stuck with a bill if the firm chooses not to represent you.
Go for a Consultation
Personal injury lawyers have a vested interest in taking on the strongest possible cases; if they only accepted cases they knew they were bound to lose, they wouldn’t be a firm for long. Subsequently, the consultation process is important for lawyers, and, if you use it correctly, it can be an important indicator for you, too. At a consultation, make sure to ask:
- If they’ve tried your type of case before: make sure they don’t only handle slip-and-falls, for example;
- When they will file your lawsuit: the sooner the better;
- Whether the lawyer you meet will be the one handling your case: you don’t want to meet with the top dog then get stuck with an inexperienced attorney for your trial;
- About fees: see below.
Fee Structure
For many, hiring a personal injury lawyer can seem daunting largely due to a fear of debilitating fees. This is something of a misconception, though: personal injury lawyers work on what’s known as a contingency fee, meaning that they only make money if they win your case. The fee comes as a percentage of the damages awarded in the case, usually between 20 and 45 percent. Of course, you’ll be predisposed to choosing an auto accident lawyer with the lowest contingency fee; however, contingency fees can be more complex than a single percentage indicates.
- Contingency fees can be designed in a graduated system, meaning that the fee is, say, 30 percent for the first $100,000, and then 20 percent for all money above that. Thus, the more damages you are awarded, the more you protect your compensation.
- Disbursement fees, which are costs associated with the case beyond the lawyers own fee (e.g. doctor’s records, transcript costs, etc.) can also be charged to you if you aren’t careful. Always discuss how your firm deals with disbursement before signing a contract with them.
Follow these tips if you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, and you’ll be able to find the best personal injury law firm for you.
Sources:
https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/roadsafety/cmvtcs2013_eng.pdf
http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/top-10-questions-to-interview-your-personal-injury-attorney
http://canadian-lawyers.ca/Legal-Help-and-Resources/What-is-a-Contingency-Fee.html