When accidents happen, it will be overwhelming to deal with the problem alone especially if there are injuries. This article contains a simple yet accessible guide that will equip you with the knowledge of how to find the right legal representative for your bicycle accident.
Connect With State Bar Associations and Review Previous Court Filings
The journey of finding a skilled bicycle accident lawyer starts with reviewing their status with the state. Most states provide a specific platform for searching on standing details and disciplinary records. To effectively represent a client in bicycle accident cases, a lawyer must have a proven track record of active and good reputation with the state bar.
Additionally, many states have a dedicated sub-association within their bar organization that deals with bicycle accident cases. Contact these groups and seek recommendations or ask for a list of bicycle accident lawyers.
Ask Questions
Once you find a lawyer you intend to work with, before going into details of what you are looking for, it’s essential to ask them well-thought-out questions to ensure a fruitful consultation and also determine the level of expertise of the lawyer in handling similar cases. Examples of questions you can ask a lawyer pertaining to the case include:
- Their level of specialization and how long they have been working and handling bicycle accidents.
- Their level of experience in handling such as:
- How many bicycle accident cases have they successfully managed?
- Do they only represent injured victims, or do they work with defendants?
- Will they personally handle your case or assign it to another attorney?
- Can they provide references from past clients with similar cases to yours?
- How can you expect to receive updates about the progress of your case?
Once all these questions are answered and you are satisfied, don’t go ahead first. Ensure the lawyer primarily represents victims, not insurance companies or defendants. Attorneys experienced in defending alone will need to fight more to help you recover.
Check the Attorney’s Licensing
Make sure the attorney you want to hire is licensed. Each state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to licensing. Check different directories to find lawyers that are licensed.
If you want more clarification, contact the law firm directly and ask for details about their license status and any questions you have in mind. A license will give you peace of mind that at least the person you are going to work with is skilled and has the knowledge to handle the situation efficiently.
Read this to learn more about the right directories to visit to find your lawyer.
Seek Recommendations and Referrals
If you know someone who has been involved in similar situations, it is worth asking them for recommendations about a reliable lawyer. Feel free to ask about the accident and how they dealt with it, as well as the lawyer they worked with. Ask them how they handle crucial aspects like evidence collection, litigation, and billing.
After obtaining recommendations from a trusted somebody, you can set a meeting time with the law firm to assess whether they are suitable for that particular case. When evaluating the recommended attorney. Feel free to ask them the same questions if you are to find them by yourself, not a recommendation.
Ask About Experience
It’s important to ask about prior experience with similar cases to ensure your case is in the hands of an experienced lawyer. Working with an experienced lawyer will increase your chances of getting a favorable result.
The lawyer knows the various legal claims and accountable parties. They also know that the accident location determines the law that is relevant to the cause. Some of the common claims in bicycle accidents include motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, and state and municipal entities.
Look for Appropriate Contingency Fee Structures and Fair Settlement Estimates
A sudden accident can impact a victim’s life in the long run. Even if the person broke a wrist, there will be months of wage lost. This will become a burden of expenses. Most claimants font like contacting lawyers because of hidden fees.
Regardless, many bicycle accident lawyers work under a delayed fee structure called contingency fee. This arrangement is beneficial to the client and legal representative.
Contingency fee means charging a percentage of the clients financial recovery. Most times, if the lawyer cannot obtain monetary compensation for the client, they won’t charge them. Professional bicycle accident firms like https://munley.com/allentown/bicycle-accident-lawyer/ usually cover almost all the legal expenses including costly expert witness fees. This way, the victim will enjoy the advantage of working with a skilled attorney that doesn’t incur upfront charges.
Conclusion
When an accident happens, especially if there are injuries, the first step is to seek medical help, once that is done, the next step is to look for a legal representative that is well-versed and experienced in handling bicycle accident cases. The lawyer can help recover all the necessary expenses and compensation, including hospital charges.
