If you were injured in a car accident in Idaho, you could be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party, typically through their insurance company. Idaho is a fault state, and the settlement you get is intended to cover your medical bills, income losses, and other damages. It is known that insurance companies have no intention to pay a fair settlement, which is the precise reason you need an Idaho car accident attorney. As in any industry, not all attorneys are the same, and in this post, we bring the secrets to selecting a reliable lawyer after your crash.
Experience
This pointer is a no-brainer. You wouldn’t hire a painter to design your home. When it comes to auto accident claims, you must select an attorney who specializes in personal injury law. Even the scope of personal injury law is huge, and therefore, you must make sure that the attorney works on car accident claims frequently in their practice. In simple words, you don’t want a jack-of-all-trades. You can also consider asking questions like –
- Have you worked on similar cases? What were the outcomes?
- What do you think of my claim? What should I expect in a settlement?
- Have you represented clients at trial?
- How frequently do you take accident lawsuits to trial?
- What would you recommend to me at this point?
A good lawyer is one who makes an effort to explain your situation and what you can expect in a settlement. They wouldn’t over-promise anything.
Comfort
People often take this aspect for granted. Yes, you need a lawyer with expertise and experience, but you should also feel safe and okay talking to them. The accident may have already scarred you for life, and talking about the details wouldn’t be easy. Make sure that the lawyer is someone who listens to you and is open to taking questions.
Affordability
Good news! Almost all accident attorneys in Idaho work on a contingency fee. This means that the lawyer only gets paid when you win. You don’t have to pay an upfront fee, but always remember that you will lose a part of the settlement. As such, affordability is a good factor to consider. Experienced attorneys often charge a tad more than others, but the fee shouldn’t exceed 40% of the settlement. If there are other expected costs, ask your attorney about those.
Not to forget, ensure that the lawyer is available for the case. If they intend to assign your claim to an associate, they must mention this.
