How to Evaluate an Attorney if You’ve Been in a Car Accident
If you are in car accident, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself legally, and I recently wrote about 13 specific things to do. You might require the assistance of an attorney in the aftermath of a car accident. If you do, please choose carefully. Unscrupulous people can be found in every profession, and the law is no exception. Fortunately, our firm has decades of experience representing people in personal injury cases, including those involving car accidents. So, how do you know you’re dealing with a good firm? Here are some ways to evaluate:
- Did they cold-call you out of the blue? This is a red flag. Solicitation of clients is prohibited in Illinois and Iowa. But this does not stop attorneys from trying to drum up business by cold calling accident victims. Cold calling is often associated with aggressive solicitation practices. If you decide to accept a cold call, exercise extreme caution. Be careful about the attorney’s motivations, and take a very close look at public ratings from clients.
- When you have a consultation, do they listen to you, show empathy for your concerns, and provide clear explanations? Or do they simply focus on the money they might make in a settlement? Choose someone who can communicate complex legal concepts in a way you can comprehend. Attorneys who come across as impatient might be too focused on closing a case and cashing in. They might not have your best interests at heart.
- What examples can they cite of their work? Visit their website. Look for case studies that demonstrate their expertise. Look for specific examples relevant to car accidents. It’s important that the attorney possess personal injury expertise specific to car accidents.
- What ratings do they get from clients? Read closely their reviews on social media and Google. Star ratings, while helpful, are not as useful as a review that provides some commentary on why a client rated an attorney they way they did. Ratings/reviews are not the end-all and be all – in fact, some of them can be off topic. Read them critically. In addition, check the attorney’s website for actual client testimonials. (Here are some of ours.)
- Are they clear about their fee structure? Some attorneys, as our firm does, work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case, while others charge hourly rates or a flat fee. Clarify the payment terms and any additional expenses or costs you might be responsible for.
- Do they overpromise? Beware of attorneys who guarantee outcomes. Ethical attorneys should provide an honest assessment of your situation, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your case without overpromising results.
- Do they have access to specialists such as accident reconstruction specialists, insurance experts, and medical professionals if needed? Good attorneys with deep experience in handling car accidents can connect you with people who can help you beyond legal representation. An attorney who lacks access to resources is not necessarily a bad attorney – but they’re going to be less helpful to you than one who does.
If you believe you need legal help in the aftermath of an accident, call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen now at (312) 346-6444. We have been representing our clients for decades. We are ready to assist you over the phone or in person. We perform our cases on a contingent fee basis, which means we are not paid unless you recover compensation for your claim. Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen at (312) 346-6444 – let us show how we can deliver results for you.