Houston, TX sees upwards of 60,000 car accidents annually, with thousands causing serious injury. Even more tragically, several hundred of these accidents lead to loss of life. Even accidents that don’t require medical attention can still have a major financial impact. If you or a loved one have been the victim of an auto accident, you may be able to seek compensation with the help of an auto accident attorney. How can you find the right attorney for your case?
8 Qualities to Look for in an Auto Accident Attorney
1. Houston, TX Board Certified Lawyers
For many people, finding an attorney is an urgent matter. You have a better chance of receiving compensation when you begin legal proceedings quickly. Defendants disappear, evidence becomes harder to secure, and witnesses forget events as time passes. Nevertheless, don’t rush too quickly to a law office without first doing some due diligence. Many people assume that all the lawyers they find will be properly certified, but that is not always the case.
The most reliable attorneys in Houston will be fully certified by the Texas Board of Law Examiners. Lawyers trained in Texas must show proof of their law education and pass the bar exam. Attorneys from other states must also pass a specific Texas law course to ensure they are well versed in local laws. If you want to verify your lawyer’s status with the state, you can search their name in the Texas Bar registry for free.
2. A Full Roster of Lawyers
Law offices can be as simple as a small office in a strip mall for a single lawyer. However, the size of a firm speaks to its quality. Quality law firms attract quality talent and will have a full roster of lawyers from various areas of legal knowledge. This allows the firm to take on bigger cases that a single lawyer may not be able to handle individually. Likewise, it allows the firm to handle a wider variety of cases.
When you see lots of lawyers, it’s a good sign that the firm is reputable and trustworthy. In addition, larger firms can usually process your case faster than small ones that may be overburdened before taking your case. Explore the law firm’s website and read up on the various lawyers they employ. Look for an experienced auto accident attorney within the firm.
3. Decades of Experience
When it comes to legal affairs, experience matters. A law firm that has decades of experience can provide better legal counsel to its clients. Even if you work with a relatively new lawyer, if they’re part of an experienced firm, then they’ve been mentored by more experienced attorneys. In addition, senior attorneys and partners at the firm supervise the work of other lawyers. That experience translates to better results for clients.
Auto accident lawsuits are more complex than they may seem at first glance. As Texas uses a “comparative negligence” standard, each party can be found partially at-fault for the accident. Whoever is deemed most at fault will be held liable. However, the other party’s compensation is reduced by their level of fault. Veteran attorneys know how to gather evidence to support your case from various sources and can help to gather evidence against the other party.
4. A Proven Track Record of Success
Any law firm can claim to be great. However, truly skilled law firms will have results to back up their claims. Like any successful business, law firms should be able to point to cases they’ve won, including the amounts they secured for their clients. This information should be readily visible online for you to find. Transparency is always a good sign of a quality law firm.
Don’t be afraid to ask a law firm about their experience with cases similar to yours. Although they may not be able to provide specifics about each case due to legal agreements in settlements, they can still tell you how many cases they’ve won recently or how much was awarded to clients. You’ll know you’ve found a good law firm if they’re eager to answer the question and have lots of positive results to share.
5. Care for the Community
Great attorneys genuinely care for their clients and the community as a whole. While money is a strong motivator, intrinsic motivations like a sincere desire to help others are far more powerful. How can you tell if the lawyers you’ll work with value you, and not just your case? Take a look to see how the lawyers at the firm interact with the Houston, TX community. Involvement beyond the law firm shows a commitment to helping others.
For example, do the lawyers at the firm support non-profit organizations? Local organizations like the Shifa Legal Resource Center provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford it. Pro bono support from Houston lawyers keeps these organizations alive. Likewise, look to see if the law firm supports education. Leading law firms go so far as to donate entire buildings to college campuses. Should you win your case, it’s reassuring to know some of that money will help others.
6. Awards and Media Mentions
Did you know that there are various independent organizations that highlight high performing law firms and individual lawyers? For example, every year US News publishes a list of law firms that it considers to be among the leading firms in the country. Other ratings sites include TopVerdict and Super Lawyers. For a rating more focused on the local area, check out the Southwest Top Verdicts and Settlements publication.
Law firms are recognized by these publications for their successes in both trials and in obtaining settlements for their clients. Individual lawyers are also selected for recognition. Look to see if the law firm you’re interested in consulting has been awarded by any of these publications.
7. No Up-front Costs for You
An auto accident case is a type of personal injury case. Personal injury cases can include everything from medical malpractice to slip-and-fall accidents. Whenever you’re dealing with a personal injury case, you should not have to pay anything to the law firm unless they get a settlement or win in court. Be wary of a lawyer or law firm that asks you for an initial deposit.
Personal injury attorneys will track the time spent on your case and bill the corresponding hours only after your case has been won. Any legal fees will be removed from the final award. You have the right to seek legal counsel and compensation without further burdening your financial situation. After all, you already have enough financial concerns after a serious auto accident. Your auto accident attorney’s fees should be the least of your worries.
8. Free Consultations
Some law firms may promise that they will only bill if you win your case, only to then request a payment for the initial consultation. Choose a law firm that offers free consultations. You deserve to have the opportunity to share your case with an experienced lawyer and determine what the best course of action is.
Contact the Law Firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner of Houston, TX by calling 713-766-1814, or visit our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.