If you are involved in a car accident in Lakewood, CO, dealing with injuries, insurance claims and legal issues can be overwhelming. Choosing the right car accident lawyer is critical.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate your path to recovery. Your lawyer will also have a significant impact on the outcome of your case and compensation for your damages and injuries.
Here are five things to consider when choosing a car accident lawyer in Lakewood, Colorado:
1. Experience Handling Car Accident Cases
When choosing a Lakewood car accident lawyer, find a law firm that focuses on these types of cases. Experienced car accident attorneys understand the tactics employed by insurance companies, which often seek to minimize payouts or deny claims outright. Lawyers are equipped to strategically counter these tactics and protect your rights.
Furthermore, car accident lawyers know how to evaluate the important facts and evidence in car accident cases. This can help you recover compensation for medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering and other damages under Colorado law.
2. Investigatory Skills
A car accident lawyer’s investigatory skills are important for strengthening your case. Your lawyer should know how to gather facts, compile evidence and scrutinize all aspects of your crash, including your injuries.
An experienced car accident attorney will analyze the accident scene, police reports and traffic surveillance footage. They’ll also gather key evidence, including photographs, witness statements and expert reports, to substantiate your claim.
For these reasons, finding a car accident lawyer with experience investigating minor and complex collisions is essential. You want an advocate with the investigatory skills required to build a compelling case.
3. Skills and Resources to Value Your Car Accident Case in Lakewood, CO
Accurately valuing a car accident claim can be complicated. You want to choose a lawyer with the resources to fairly and accurately value your claim. Lawyers should consider all potential—damages including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and long-term disability or disfigurement.
Car accident lawyers may work closely with expert witnesses to substantiate the value of your claim. These include medical professionals, rehab specialists and accident reconstruction experts. These professionals can provide testimony to support your case and the estimated costs of your injury.
By partnering with experts, your car accident lawyer can bolster your claim to insurance companies, the judge or the jury.
4. The Lawyer’s Honesty
To get you the best possible outcome, your lawyer needs to be honest with you about your chance of success. Your lawyer should identify strengths and weaknesses in your case and find ways to resolve them.
They should also help you evaluate settlement offers. You want someone who can tell you whether an offer is fair and equitable. Honesty and objectivity will help you get the most for your claim.
5. Attorney Fee Structure in Lakewood, Colorado
Be sure you understand a lawyer’s fee structure before hiring them. Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they settle or win your case at trial.
Instead of an hourly fee, their compensation is a fixed percentage of the amount they recover for you. According to the American Bar Association, this fee is usually 33 to 40%.
This means you will not need to worry about paying attorney’s fees alongside medical bills or other accident-related expenses. A lawyer should always offer you a written fee agreement that details how they will be paid so there are no unexpected costs.
Select the Right Lakewood Car Accident Attorney For Your Case
Choosing the right car accident lawyer in Lakewood can significantly impact your claim. Consider these five points when deciding who to trust with your claim.
Lisandra Matos, the founder of Matos Personal Injury Lawyers, brings over 39 years of expertise as a personal injury lawyer. Contact us to schedule a free consultation at our Lakewood, CO office.
