There are now over 1.3 million lawyers in the US, with more than 17,000 lawyers licensed to practice in South Carolina. Not every lawyer handles auto accident cases, though. If you’re searching for an auto accident attorney, you need to know how to narrow down your choices.
Otherwise, you could risk hiring a lawyer who is incapable of winning your lawsuit. Without proper help, you won’t have the compensation you need to recover your losses.
Here are a few tips you can use to find the best auto accident lawyer in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Marion, South Carolina. With these tips, you can feel confident choosing the right representation for your case. Read on to learn more.
Consider Your Case
A lawyer might decide to cover different areas of law to help a broad spectrum of clients. Even auto accident cases can involve specific parameters. For example, an accident lawyer might take cases specific to:
- Cars
- Trucks
- Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare services
- Motorcycles
- Bikes
- Pedestrians
- Tractor-trailers
- ATVs
Before searching for an auto accident attorney, consider your case and who was involved. Then, focus your time and attention on finding an attorney who specializes in relevant cases.
You can begin your search to develop a list of attorneys by speaking with friends and family members. Ask if they’ve hired an auto accident lawyer in the past year. If they haven’t, ask if they’ve hired a lawyer to draft their will or for a different type of personal industry case.
Then, determine if the law firm also handles auto accident cases like yours.
As you gather referrals, ask each friend about their experience working alongside the attorney. For example, you can ask about the outcome of the case. If the lawyer won the lawsuit, consider how much they were able to win for their client and what were the injuries suffered.
Otherwise, begin your search for an auto accident lawyer online. Start by checking an online law firm directory or South Carolina’s bar association website. Then, use these remaining tips to find the best lawyer on your list.
Check Their Experience and Credentials
Before choosing a lawyer, look into their work history.
First, confirm they have the proper credentials. Are they licensed to practice law in the state of South Carolina? If not, scratch them off your list.
Finding a licensed attorney will give you peace of mind. You can feel confident that they’re qualified to handle your case and file the necessary documents.
Next, determine how long they’ve practiced law in South Carolina to ensure they have years of case experience. Ask how many cases they’ve handled within that time, too. Then, ask how many auto accident cases like yours they’ve handled.
If the lawyer lacks recent case experience, remove them from your list.
Finding someone with recent experience will ensure they have valuable insights into courtroom procedures, local laws, and insurance practices. These attorneys will have developed negotiation skills that can benefit your case, too. They’ll have an easier time ensuring a fair settlement.
If they lack the proper litigation skills, however, they could struggle to win an award for damages. They might not fight for the full amount of compensation you’re due, too.
Then, ask whether the car accident lawyer practices in your city. It is always better to have a local lawyer, than a lawyer from a different city. The local lawyers are familiar with the local courts, have the knowledge to gather the evidence pertaining to your case.
Determine if the lawyer has any additional credentials that can speak to their experience and expertise as well. For example, maybe they have a membership to a local or national organization. Their memberships can further speak to their qualifications for handling your case.
Find Strong Communicators
Consider scheduling a consultation appointment with two or three different attorneys on your list. During the consultation appointment, talk about the details of your case. Ask the attorney what strategy they would recommend for your lawsuit.
During the meeting, determine if the lawyer is a strong communicator. Consider whether you want them to speak on your behalf.
The best lawyer will represent your interests when they’re trying to negotiate a fair settlement offer with the insurance companies.
The lawyer should also help you consider all your legal options before advising you one way or the other. An experienced lawyer can leverage their past experiences to provide you with helpful advice. They shouldn’t sway you toward a specific choice, though.
Instead, they should help you make a decision based on your best interests and goals.
Review Their Results
Ask each attorney about their previous cases. First, determine how many cases they’ve handled overall versus within the past year. Ask how many cases they won or lost within both time periods, too.
Consider asking the lawyer about the legal strategy they used for the cases they won, too.
Focus on hiring an attorney who has a strong track record behind them. Asking about their case history can help you determine if they’re the right attorney for the job. If they haven’t won cases like yours in the past, they’ll likely drop the ball with your lawsuit as well.
Instead, hiring a winner will help you feel more confident in their abilities to win your case.
Request Reviews
Before finalizing your choice, ask each auto accident lawyer for client reviews. Reading reviews can help you learn more about their abilities. Don’t forget to check online as well.
When reading reviews, look for any comments about communication issues. Make sure you won’t struggle to contact the attorney in the future.
Keep an eye out for any red flags about the lawyer’s code of ethics, too. Check the South Carolina Bar to ensure the lawyer doesn’t have any complaints or disciplinary actions on their record.
Check Their Pricing Model
Finally, ask at least three lawyers about their pricing structure. Determine if the lawyer works on a retainer, hourly rate, or contingency fee structure.
Some lawyers will only anticipate payment for their services if they win your lawsuit. These lawyers might fight harder to win your case.
Find the Best Auto Accident Attorney for Your Case Today
Don’t risk hiring the first auto accident attorney you call. Instead, use these tips to interview and find the best car accident lawyer possible. The right attorney will fight hard to win your lawsuit.
With their help, you can maximize your claim.
Want to discuss your case with a member of our team? We’re here for you.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
