Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for an Accident Attorney

There are approximately 6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year, and it’s essential to hire an accident attorney as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Of course, it’s not always easy to choose the right car accident attorney or personal injury lawyer. But avoiding some common mistakes can put you on the right track and help you find a lawyer who prioritizes your needs. Here are just a few mistakes to avoid when you’re searching for an accident attorney to represent you and navigate your accident claim.

Counting on a lawyer who’s a friend or a “friend of a friend.”

About 3 million people are injured every year in car accidents on U.S. roads, and it’s perfectly natural to want to work with a lawyer recommended by a close friend or family member — or even the close friend themselves if they’re practicing law. But it’s typically not a good idea. It’s much more important to look at overall experience and number of years spent in the profession as opposed to personal connections. Ultimately, should the outcome of the case be disappointing, you can avoid anything affecting the personal relationship.

Skipping Online Reviews

All businesses have a few unhappy clients, but if you see a large number of negative reviews over time, this can be an indicator that the firm may not have it all together.  Past client satisfaction is an excellent indicator of good business practices. Avoid choosing a firm that does not have enough staff to handle the cases, or that isn’t transparent when it comes to going over all the settlement details.  Check out the different reputation-related sites that allow past clients to comment. Look for one that, in general, has been in business for a while, and has consistently good reviews in the past year. Most cases settle in less than a year.  

Not considering a lawyer with trial experience.

Despite the fact that only a small percentage of personal injury cases even make it to trial, it’s a good idea to choose a lawyer that has trial experience.  Many lawyers can write a great brief and help negotiate a settlement, but few are really successful in a courtroom.

Ultimately, avoiding these mistakes can help you find the best lawyer for you.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258