Houston is the largest city in Texas state. Unfortunately, the city has recorded the highest number of car traffic deaths(330) in Texas for 2021. Car accidents are traumatic, and you might have to spend all your savings on medical treatment.
If you are involved in a car crash, you should hire a car accident lawyer like Johnson Garcia LLP. This article will discuss things to look for when hiring a car accident lawyer and what you can expect from the process:
Table of Contents
Look For An Advocate Who Specializes In Car Accidents
Texas is one of the at-fault states in car accidents. It means the driver responsible for the accident is liable for injuries and damages. So the first thing you need to do when looking for a car accident lawyer is look for the one who specializes in this area of law.
Many lawyers practice personal injury law, but not all have experience with car accidents. Therefore, you want to ensure that your lawyer has handled cases like yours and knows the car accident laws thoroughly.
Ask for Referrals
You should ask the lawyer for referrals from past clients. A good lawyer will be happy to provide references from past clients who have been satisfied with their work. This will give you a chance to hear first-hand accounts of what it was like to work with the lawyer and whether or not they were able to get the results they wanted.
Schedule a Consultation
You should schedule a consultation with the lawyer to discuss your case. This is a good opportunity to ask them any questions you have about their experience and how they would handle your case specifically.
After meeting a few lawyers, you should be able to choose one that you feel confident in and who you believe will work hard to get you the best possible outcome.
What to Know Beforehand?
1. Fees
When you are involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of hiring an advocate. However, it is important to understand the fees that attorneys charge so that you need to make an informed decision. The most common type of fee is an hourly rate, which can range from $100 to $500 per hour.
Many attorneys also charge a retainer, which is a set amount that is paid upfront. The retainer may cover the cost of investigation and other expenses associated with preparing your case. In addition, some attorneys charge a contingency fee, a percentage of any settlement or jury award you receive.
Before hiring an attorney, ask about these fees and how they will be calculated. This will help you budget for the cost of your legal representation and avoid any surprises down the road.
2. Licensed
The State Bar Act of Texas mandates that attorneys should be licensed(registered with State Bar) to practice law in the state. Therefore, it is important to determine if the attorney is licensed when looking for a car accident attorney.
One reason is that a licensed attorney has gone through the process of being approved by the state to practice law. This process includes passing a written exam and background check.
In addition, a licensed attorney is bound by professional ethics rules and can be disciplined by the state bar if they violate these rules. As a result, you can be confident that a licensed attorney like Johnson Garcia LLP will act in your best interests and provide you with competent legal representation.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact a car accident advocate to discuss your case.