How to Choose an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

If you’ve been in a car accident in Arizona, you’re far from alone.  The Department of Transportation for the state reports that over 140,000 vehicle accidents occurred in Arizona during 2007.  Additionally, more than 65,000 people were injured and more than 1,000 were killed.  These are alarming statistics, and if you’re one of them you understand that you need legal help so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries.

Of course, choosing an experienced car accident lawyer in Arizona involves much more than simply logging onto the Internet or looking in the phone book and choosing an advertisement.  You need to be thorough in your due diligence, as the attorney you choose will be the one who’s responsible for the enforcement of your rights.  Below are a few suggestions as to how you should go about making your decision.

Step One – Ask Around

Given the statistics regarding vehicle accidents in Arizona, odds are that you know someone who’s been involved in one.  It’s always a good idea to get the perspective of someone who’s been through this sort of situation, as their experience involves many different variables that may not be obtainable simply by trusting your instincts.

Step Two – Schedule Consultations

After you’ve gotten names of attorneys who may be able to help you, contact them and schedule consultations.  These initial meetings should be free of charge given the nature of the case at hand, and you should pay attention to how quickly the firms you contact are willing to meet with you.

Step Three – Ask Questions

When you report for your consultation, you should be sure to bring a list of questions that you need answered before making a decision.  You can access public records to find out how long a particular attorney has been practicing, but you need more information.  Below are just a few of the questions you should ask:

How many car accident cases have you handled?

What were the results?

How many cases settled?

How many cases went to trial?

How does your fee structure work?

Step Four – Consider the Interpersonal Dynamic

Regardless of the car accident attorney you choose, you need to remember that you’ll be working closely with your attorney until the matter is resolved. Therefore, you need to feel comfortable with that attorney, as you’ll need to ask some tough questions and listen to some tough advice from time to time.