Following a Louisiana car accident, a victim will be inundated with hundreds of questions. Police, insurance adjusters, and opposing parties may reach out asking for plenty of information. The single most important decision that a victim can make is choosing who will represent them in a Louisiana car accident.
A well-qualified and experienced auto accident lawyer can handle all communications, advise you on a proper legal strategy, review the options that will provide you with the best outcome you seek, and make sure all required legal guidelines are met.
When evaluating who to choose as your Louisiana car accident lawyer, here are some factors to help guide you in your decision.
Research the Best Louisiana Car Accident Lawyers
Like any major decision, take time to research and verify the qualifications of potential Louisiana car accident lawyers. A key place to start is by asking your trusted friends, family members, coworkers, and any other member of your personal network if they have any recommendations.
Any referrals often come from word-of-mouth, based on individuals with personal results that were positive. After going through your network, a smart move is to verify using trusted legal sources. The Louisiana State Bar Association is the licensing authority for lawyers in Louisiana.
By confirming that your referred lawyer is in good standing with the Louisiana State Bar, you can be assured that they have met the minimally required competence of a qualified Louisiana car accident lawyer and do not have any criminal record, filed complaints, or other disciplinary conduct that you should be wary of.
The Louisiana State Bar Association’s online directory is an easy resource to peruse with a wealth of potential knowledge for your decision.
Check Online Reviews for Previous Client Feedback
Aside from gathering personal referral info and verifying a lawyer’s credentials with the Louisiana State Bar, another step that you can consider taking is to review their reputation online.
There are various legal directories that provide info on attorney profiles and give insight into ratings from clients and peers, testimonials from actual cases, and any professional recognition that may be useful for looking into an attorney’s experience and track record.
Some legal directories to review include:
- Avvo: Legal directory with attorney ratings, client reviews, disciplinary records, and Q&A forums
- Martindale-Hubbell: One of the oldest attorney directories that focuses on professional ethics and legal abilities.
- Super Lawyers: This legal directory features attorneys who are ranked as being top-rated based on peer nominations and independent research.
There are also non-attorney specialized platforms, such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook, where past clients may share candid info on their experience.
While no online platform represents a perfect true image of a potential attorney, paying attention to the number of reviews and consistency with regards to outcomes and responsiveness can help you shape your image and know what to look out for.
Review The Lawyer’s Personal Website
Aside from third-party websites, Louisiana car accident lawyers will often have a wealth of knowledge on their personal websites. These sites can provide insight into:
- Testimonials: Personal accounts from past clients.
- Successful Case Results: Summaries of past verdicts and settlements, including brief snippets of the case and the compensation awarded.
- Awards: Awards provided by peers or organizations in the legal industry.
- Certifications: Specialized credentials or legal certifications indicating advanced experience in personal injury or litigation.
- Videos: A personal video where you can get a look and feel into your lawyer.
- Blogs: Articles to demonstrate a lawyer’s knowledge and provide some insight that may apply to your case.
- Practice Areas: A list of legal services offered and particular areas of focus.
When looking a Louisiana car accident lawyer’s website, here are some questions to keep in mind:
- Do they specialize in personal injury law, particularly car accidents?
- If you are looking for a lawyer that specifically will be handling a Louisiana car accident, having a lawyer that focuses in that area will provide you with the experienced decision making you desire.
- Do they have a proven track record of successfully handling cases like yours?
- By reviewing their successful case results, you can see if they outcomes that reflect what you are looking for in your case.
- Are their prior case results published on their website?
- The listing of any previous case results helps to provide the transparency and confidence you need as a potential client.
Accessibility, Availability, Responsiveness
When having initial conversations with your lawyer, do not just listen to the positive aspects; they will tell you about the financial likelihood of your claim. Some important qualities to have in your lawyer representing you are someone who is accessible to answer your questions, available when needed, and responsive when you reach out.
Experienced attorneys will do everything possible to make you feel supported and eliminate uncertainty in stressful situations. Even if they do not know the answer right away, they will keep you informed of your case as it develops and respond promptly when you reach out. Take note of your potential attorney’s reputation when you have your initial consultation.
Understanding the Fee Structure
Pay attention to the fee structure that your attorney is charging you. Most personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will pay only if an outcome is reached in your case.
Typically, the contingency fee is a percentage of your overall recovery, minus any additional case-related costs. For example, if your case settles for $100,000 and your attorney works off a 30% contingency fee, then you would receive $70,000 but would still need to account for any case-related costs.
If you are unsure, be sure to consult with your attorney to ask for an explanation before signing a retaining letter for representation.
Narrow Down Your Decision to Your Top Picks
After performing your search and verifying the credentials of your potential counsel, narrow down your list to two or three potential Louisiana car accident lawyers. The typical standard is that personal injury lawyers will offer a free initial consultation to meet them, explain your situation, and see if what they are offering is a good fit for your needs.
Ask the questions that are pressing to see what their initial answers are. Aside from the content from their answers, try to get a sense of their approach to consultation, the timeline expected for your case, and what the fee structure would look like.
An effective lawyer will both listen and talk when communicating. Find someone who makes you feel comfortable and heard so that you have the confidence in them to fight for the outcome you are seeking.
What Questions Should I Ask a Lawyer During a Consultation?
Before hiring a Louisiana car accident lawyer, schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. During your consultation, you might be wondering what some good questions are to ask. Here are some worth considering.
- What Is Your Experience with Cases Like Mine?
- For example, have they handled similar car accident claims? How were the results in those claims?
- What Is Your Approach to Handling My Case?
- Is there a successful legal philosophy that has led them to the outcomes they have achieved? Do they look to settle or go to trial? Do they negotiate aggressively from the get-go?
- What Are the Potential Outcomes of My Case?
- What’s a realistic range you can expect based on the facts of your claim?
- Who Will Be Working on My Case?
- Determine if they will be handling your case personally or if a junior staff will be taking the lead.
- What Are Your Fees?
- Confirm the contingency fee, the handling of costs, and whether fees are due if there is no recovery.
- How Much is a Good Car Accident Settlement?
- Ask what evidence will be important to affect the value of your case.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys
With the multiple choices that you have when selecting your legal representation, you may feel overwhelmed. As shown here, choosing the right attorney is something to get ahead of as the process takes time and energy. Kick off the process by reaching out to our personal injury law firm today.
By scheduling your free consultation, we will be able to answer your initial questions with no risk today. Contact our Louisiana car accident lawyers and learn how we can assist you in your time of need.