Car Accident Lawyers: Steps to Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Michigan Car Accident

Finding and learning about the right attorney can seem intimidating, especially to someone who has never hired an auto attorney before.

So how do you go about finding the best car accident attorney to handle your case? I recommend you do the following:

• Start by talking to family, friends, and co-workers to see if anyone they know has been involved in a car accident claim. Ask them about their experience and if they would recommend your auto attorney.

• Search the Internet for local attorneys who specialize in car accidents. Check their websites for professional advice and a strong case history. Beware of advertising materials and websites that contain self-proclaimed endorsements such as “the best, the best, the leader” that cannot be backed by fact or verified by a reputable third party.

• Avoid the Yellow Pages: The best car accident attorneys don’t have to do a lot of advertising, they gain new clients through positive word of mouth or referrals from other attorneys.

Once you’ve identified a few potential auto attorneys, do some research before contacting their offices:

• Seek third-party verification of the law firm and the attorney’s reputation by reviewing legal publications, such as Michigan Lawyers Weekly, for any positive or negative publicity about the attorney or the cases he or she has handled.

• Contact the State Bar of Michigan and Martindale-Hubbell, or visit those websites to find out if the attorney is in good standing. Martindale-Hubbell’s AV rating is the highest in legal and ethical ability, although very few Michigan attorneys and law firms have received this top rating.

• The car accident attorney must be actively involved in Michigan legal organizations such as the Michigan Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, and the Michigan Bar Association; not only as members, but also as leaders familiar with the latest developments in Michigan no-fault insurance and automobile negligence personal injury laws.

Once you’ve verified the quality of an auto attorney, call to schedule an initial consultation. Some firms will charge a consultation fee to meet with you, but most Michigan car accident lawyers offer free consultations to better inform potential clients, with no fee or obligation. Because car accident cases are very time sensitive, you should expect the attorney to respond promptly to a phone or internet request right away.

The first meeting is very important in deciding if a car accident attorney or law firm is right for you. Here are some ideas of questions to ask during your consultation that can help you assess whether a particular attorney will be the best fit for your case:

1. How easy will it be to contact you?
2. What client references do you have who can comment on your skills and reliability?
3. How many cases like mine have you handled in the last year?
4. Who else in the office will work on my case?
5. How is payment for services handled? Are there any fees that I will have to pay out of pocket during my case or at the end?
6. If I lose my case and no compensation is awarded, do I still owe you something for your time and effort? (Generally speaking, auto attorneys will charge for their services on a contingency fee basis, where the client pays the attorney 33 percent of what the attorney collects in a settlement or if the case goes to trial.)

After the consultation is over, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Did the car accident attorney listen correctly?
2. Did the attorney explain legal matters to me in terms I could understand?
3. Did the auto attorney seem very knowledgeable about the Michigan no-fault law and how the law applies to my specific case? Did he have to “look into it” and get back to me?
4. Did the auto attorney seem to understand my medical injuries and offer to refer me to the best medical care?

Ultimately, you want to choose the car accident attorney that you believe will do the best job for you. Even if you choose not to hire an attorney or file a lawsuit, there is nothing wrong with getting initial advice on steps you can take to protect yourself immediately after a serious car accident injury in Michigan.