Hi .
I’m in need of legal assistance after a recent car accident and am searching for a reputable car injury attorney. I want to find someone who specializes in personal injury cases related to car accidents and has a good track record of helping clients get fair compensation.
Does anyone have recommendations for car injury attorneys who have provided excellent service? Any tips on what to look for in an attorney or how to choose the right one would also be appreciated.
Thanks in advance…
Hey, I do not have any lawyer recommendations, but I thought you might find my experience helpful.
TL;DR: It might not be worth getting a lawyer. Your situation could vary.
Storytime:
A few years ago, I was in an accident while driving back from a cross-country road trip with a friend and their kid. It was my car, but my friend was driving late at night, and we weren’t at fault—the car that hit us was going the wrong way on the interstate. My car, which I had just bought used two months prior, was totaled.
The accident happened in Oklahoma, near the Texas border. After the paramedics checked us out (we didn’t need to go to the ER), the officer on the scene arranged for us to be taken to a hotel and gave us the insurance info. The next morning, we went to a hospital to get my friend’s kid and themselves checked out.
I only needed a urine test; besides some bruising from the seatbelt and cuts from the glass/airbags, both I and my friend’s kid were fine. My friend had a sternum sprain and was advised to avoid heavy lifting for a few weeks and follow up with a doctor at home.
I share this because it sounds similar to your situation.
Both my friend and I contacted lawyers. I reached out to a Texas law firm, but the paralegal advised that since the accident was in Oklahoma, I’d need to work with a lawyer there. They suggested, given there were no major injuries, it might be best to let the insurance companies handle it. I followed this advice and worked with my insurance case agent. My friend chose to use a law firm for themselves and their child.
Here’s what happened:
The insurance company offered me about $10,000 (a bit less than my car loan but close to the car’s worth) plus coverage for the hospital visit and $5,000 for damages.
My friend received $6,000 for themselves and $6,000 for their child, with the law firm taking a 40% fee ($4,000).
In the end, the insurance offer was similar to what I received directly, but without the legal fees.
This may not be the same for you, but it’s something to consider.