If you have been injured or have injured someone in a car accident, it is in your best interest to hire a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles as quickly as possible. However, before you call the first number you spot on a bus bench or billboard, you need to do some intensive research. A quick google search can pull up pages and pages of attorneys but how are you supposed to choose if you aren’t sure what to look for?
Every day, there are more and more advertisements for car accident lawyers in Los Angeles but is everything they say actually true? Have their prices, services, and terms been embellished by a marketing or public relations firm? The answer can be harder to determine than you think. Read these tips first and save yourself from a world of confusion and trouble.
Hidden fees
During your consultation with a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, make sure they go over every single fee. You should know the exact answers for questions like, when do they get paid and how much do they get paid before signing any contracts? If the fees seem complicated or overly confusing than there might be more going on than meets the eye. The more conditions and exceptions a lawyer adds to the fee arrangement, the harder it is for you to understand just how much you have to dish out once the claim is resolved. Administration and extra fees can add up before you have even had a chance to realize what’s happening.
Referring Work
There are specific legal agencies that are solely dedicated to referring lawyers to potential clients. The agencies follow strict guidelines and standards but can make finding the right car accident lawyer in Los Angeles much easier. However, lawyers can also charge referral fees when referring a claim to another lawyer. That’s why it is important to know whether or not the lawyer or firm you hire is actually handling your claim. If your case has been outsourced, than the lawyer who is really representing you may not have the right experience. When you sit down with your attorney, make sure to ask about this and maybe even request to meet the people that will be working on your case. This could range from a few lawyers to some paralegals and support staff members. Knowing that a firm really does have the financial and staffing resources to take on your case will help ease any stress you may have.
Location Matters
From advertising agencies to consulting firms, many businesses embellish their websites to seem more prestigious or experienced than they are. One of these common tactics is to advertise non-existent headquarter locations that are really post office boxes, hotels, or virtual office spaces. This gives the appearance that a firm is in your area when they could be located in a completely different state. Hiring a car accident lawyer that is actually based in Los Angeles will only strengthen your case. It means that the attorney is familiar with the local customs and conventions, judges, and fellow bar members. Just like many other professions, relationships have a big impact in law. If your law firm has no standing or connections to your community, it could negatively affect your case.
The Consultation
If you have never been in an accident before or required legal assistance from an attorney, you may not know what to expect during a consultation. During your initial meeting with your car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, you will need to share the details of your accident. This includes recounting exactly what happened, disclosing your injuries, the damage you and your car sustained, and whether or not there are any witnesses. You need to use this opportunity to be as truthful and thorough as possible with your lawyer. Leaving out important pieces of information or inaccurately recounting details could haunt you later down the road. This is also your chance to interview your attorney. Learn about fees, their expertise, and how difficult the case will be overall.
Legal Organizations
There are more and more national and state organizations, such as the Los Angeles County Bar Association, that are dedicated to serve the public regarding access to justice. Members of the public can use these associations to help find car accident lawyers in Los Angeles and learn more about basic legal information. This is also a great way to ensure your lawyer has a good legal standing or find out if they haves faced any previous misconduct allegations.