In the aftermath of a serious car accident, you need an attorney who can advocate for your rights to compensation. It is sometimes challenging to understand where to begin in hiring an attorney, especially if you have never previously needed legal counsel. The process can seem intimidating. Our lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP want you to find the best representation for your claim. We have put together some important tips and information you can use during your search for an attorney that should help you make a decision you can feel confident about throughout your case.
Important Characteristics of Your Legal Counsel
Every lawyer will have a different litigation approach and different style during certain aspects of a case. However, all lawyers you consider hiring should possess a few characteristics that indicate they can appropriately manage your case.
Your attorney should absolutely be: Experienced - Experience is nearly invaluable in every type of litigation, and it is especially important in car accident litigation. Numerous factors can make a car accident case more complicated, and you need to work with a Staten Island attorney who knows what he or she is doing. You should select a firm with experience in both car accident litigation and Staten Island cases. Honest - Your car accident case is important, and you need to be able to trust your attorney to advocate for your best interests.
You also need a lawyer who will be honest and straightforward about how your case is going, what the firm has completed in the litigation, and what you can expect to happen moving forward. You should feel like you can rely on your attorney to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information about your case. Respected - If your attorney is well-respected in the legal community (by opposing lawyers and judges) you have an even greater chance of achieving a favorable outcome in your case.
You should hire a firm with a positive reputation who will present your case with integrity and fight for fair results. You can find a lot of information about any given firm online, but you should also schedule an appointment to meet with a lawyer at each firm you're considering. Meetings will give you the opportunity to have a face-to-face discussion with the person potentially representing you and allow you time to ask questions and learn about the firm.
Questions to Ask Potential Attorneys
When you meet with a lawyer, you should ask questions sufficient to learn whether you want to work with the firm on your car accident case. You can ask questions like the following to give you a better idea about the firm's ability to handle your case effectively:
- How long has this firm litigated car accident cases?
- How many car accident cases do you usually work on at any time?
- Have you litigated a lot of cases on Staten Island?
- What are some of your typical car accident case results?
- Are you the attorney who would be working on my case?
- Do you charge a retainer?
- Do you use contingency fee contracts for car accident cases?
- Do you think you could move forward with investigating my claim?
- What process do you use for updating clients about their cases?
- Why do you think I should hire your firm for my car accident case?
You should ask as many questions as you need to understand whether the firm and its lawyers feel like the right choice for your case. If you're not satisfied with one or more of the answers you receive, you might want to continue your search for another firm. Especially if you felt rushed during the meeting or like you couldn't ask questions, you should look into hiring someone else. You and your case are important, and your lawyer should treat you that way.
What Can Your Lawyer Do for You?
Your lawyer will investigate your claims to determine whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit related to your car accident injuries (with consideration of New York's No-Fault Law). If you have a viable claim for damages, your attorney will file a Complaint in court and will pursue compensation for all of your injuries. This includes more than just physical injury compensation. Your Complaint will allege the following types of damages:
- Costs of the medical treatment you needed for your injuries or will need in the future;
- Amount of income or wages you have lost because of your injuries or the earning capacity you lost because of your injuries;
- Compensation for your physical pain and mental anguish;
- Compensation for your injuries' effects on your relationship with your spouse.
Your attorney will fight for just compensation in light of every way your car accident affected your life. By hiring the right car accident lawyer, you significantly increase your chances of receiving a tremendous outcome in your case.
Parker Waichman LLP: A Trusted Name in Personal Injury Law
The lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are committed to superior client advocacy, and we work tirelessly to achieve the case results injured families need. Our Staten Island law firm is honored to have received the following awards and accolades through the years:
- 9.8 Rating by AVVO
- "Preeminent Lawyers" AV Peer Review Rating
- Highest Peer Review Ranking of "5 Dragons"
- Listing in Best Lawyers Publication
We understand the extreme toll an injury car accident places on victims, and we dedicate ourselves to securing compensation that eases the burdens they face. We offer free case consultations and only work on contingency fees. When you work with our law firm, you can worry less knowing your case is in capable hands.
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