In a single year, over 7,500 pedestrians died in traffic crashes on public roads. If you were injured due to a driver’s negligence, call a pedestrian accident lawyer. They’ll help you fight for compensation.
Otherwise, you’ll need to pay for your medical bills and lost wages out of pocket. Protect your pedestrian rights. Read on to learn how to find a lawyer for pedestrian injury claims today.
Gather Referrals And Reviews
You could waste hours vetting every personal injury lawyer in your area. To simplify your search, contact friends and family members. Ask if they’ve hired a personal injury or auto accident attorney in the past year.
If they have, ask about their experience pursuing a personal injury claim. This will help you learn what to expect while filing your lawsuit.
Prepare a list of questions you want to ask about each case and attorney. For example:
- How long has the lawyer practiced?
- What is their specialty?
- What type of lawsuit did you pursue?
- Did they win your case?
- How much did you win?
- Did the case go to court?
- Did you have issues while working with the lawyer?
If the client encountered problems after hiring their attorney, learn more. For example, was the lawyer difficult to reach? Did they try to push the case onto a different attorney at their law firm?
Look for a lawyer people rave about. You’ll feel more confident choosing an attorney your friends already know and trust.
If you can’t find a personal referral, begin your search online. Visit the Martindale-Hubbell law firm directory to build a list of attorneys. You can find a car accident law firm here.
Check for client reviews for every lawyer on your list. Look for a lawyer who already has an established reputation locally. If you find a lawyer with a history of complaints against them, keep searching.
Assess Their Legal Expertise
Visit your local bar association website. Confirm that each lawyer on your list is licensed to practice in the state. If their license isn’t active, remove them from your list.
Determine how long each lawyer has practiced locally. These lawyers have more in-depth knowledge of local laws and regulations. They may have professional connections that can strengthen your lawsuit.
An experienced attorney can lean on their experience when building your case. They’re less likely to make mistakes.
A new lawyer, on the other hand, could neglect to follow proper procedure. For example, they may miss a deadline or file paperwork incorrectly.
Determine how long each lawyer has practiced personal injury law. Consider how long they’ve specialized in pedestrian injury claims. Ask how many cases like yours they pursued in the past year.
Year-over-year pedestrian deaths increased by 77%, while other traffic fatalities only rose by 25%. If the lawyer hasn’t pursued a pedestrian accident case, remove them from your list. They may have limited knowledge of the laws involved.
Schedule A Legal Consultation
Schedule a legal consultation with three local attorneys on your list. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time. For example:
- How long have you practiced law?
- How often do you pursue pedestrian cases?
- What’s your track record?
- How many cases are you currently juggling?
- Will you hand my case off to someone else?
- When can you start?
- What do you need from me?
- How much can we win?
Your lawyer shouldn’t give you any guarantees about the outcome of your lawsuit. Instead, they should help you better understand your pedestrian rights. They should lay out your legal options and help you make an informed choice.
Consider how many cases the lawyer is currently pursuing. If they’re stretched thin, they may neglect your case. They may fail to strengthen your lawsuit or miss important deadlines.
Consider Their Previous Injury Claims
Ask each lawyer about their previous injury claims. Compare their wins and losses to determine if they have a strong track record. How many of those wins were for pedestrian injury claims?
Reviewing each lawyer’s previous casework can help you gauge their level of legal expertise. It proves they’re capable of winning similar cases.
Ask each lawyer how often their cases go to court. Some lawyers are nervous about pursuing cases in front of a judge. They may negotiate for a settlement instead.
Accepting a lowball settlement offer may not be in your best interests. If you’re interested in fighting, your lawyer should as well. Choose a lawyer who has your best interests in mind.
Ask each lawyer about the legal strategy they used in their three most recent cases. Ask what strategy they would recommend for your case.
The attorney shouldn’t use the same approach for every lawsuit. Instead, they should determine if there are unique circumstances that will affect your case. For
example, perhaps the driver was drunk or texting.
Discuss Their Resources
Ask each attorney what professional resources they’ll use to strengthen your case. They may have a professional investigator gather evidence. A medical expert may discuss the severity and longevity of your injuries.
In the meantime, keep track of your medical expenses and treatments. Gather pay stubs to prove the extent of your lost wages. Your lawyer will use this information to prove your losses.
Your lawyer shouldn’t give you an estimate of how much you can win without this information. They should consider your current and future pain and suffering.
Compare Fee Structures
Ask three local attorneys about the fee structure they follow. Will they work on a contingency fee basis or a fixed rate?
Lawyers who work on a contingency fee basis don’t expect immediate payment. Instead, they’ll accept a percentage of your winnings at the end of your case. This will motivate them to work harder to win.
Compare fees between three local attorneys. Comparing their fees will help you recognize the average for pedestrian injury claims. One lawyer may charge more if they have extensive experience and a strong history of wins.
Find Your Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Don’t make the mistake of choosing an inexperienced pedestrian accident lawyer. Instead, use these tips to vet your options. Choose a lawyer who will fight with your best interests in mind.
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