Traffic accidents in Hamilton County led to 56 fatalities in 2021, 44 of which occurred in Chattanooga alone. Travelers are often wary of intersections 24 and 75 when passing through Chattanooga since the city is notorious for a high number of auto accidents on the road – more than 13,000 each year.
So, what should you do if you, unfortunately, find yourself caught in one of these accidents? Naturally, you should call the police, get the other person’s information, and take some pictures of the accident scene as evidence. But receiving compensation from the guilty party requires you to hire a lawyer. You can find the best car accident lawyer in Chattanooga by doing the following:
- Determine your goals
Why do you want to hire an auto accident lawyer? Clarify your goals and determine what you want a lawyer to do on your behalf. Some people recruit lawyers because they lack enough evidence to prove the other party’s fault. Others hire legal help because their case is complicated and requires more than monetary compensation for the vehicle and few injuries. A traffic accident survivor may be bad at negotiating with the insurance people and want to get a sharp-talking legal wunderkind speaking on their behalf. Now, you have to decide why you need to lawyer up.
- Look for experience
Go with someone who has spent years handling auto accident cases. Choose a lawyer well-versed in the laws of the state of Tennessee and particularly familiar with similar cases in Chattanooga. After doing some research, you can find many auto accident lawyers in Chattanooga with decades worth of experience to back up their qualifications. Check the lawyer’s track record to learn how many cases they have won in Chattanooga.
- Check communication skills
Never hire someone who doesn’t pick up your calls or answer your messages. Avoid hiring lawyers who are too busy to give you proper attention. You want someone with amazing communication skills who seems invested in your case.
- Check negotiation skills
Insurance companies will try to wrap up your claim with the smallest settlement possible. Therefore, you need someone who can play hardball with the insurance people and make them cough up what they owe you. So, consider hiring someone with impeccable negotiation skills.
Your lawyer will spend a lot of time negotiating the best deal possible. Unless the lawyer is skilled in negotiation tactics, getting the money you deserve can be difficult.
- Check official websites
Every major law firm today has an official website, and you should browse their sites to learn about a lawyer’s qualifications and experience. You can discover testimonials on many such sites. These testimonials indicate their previous clients’ approval and the victories they had in the past. You can also contact lawyers via their websites – or just leave your information so they can call you back.
- Read online reviews
In today’s tech-dependant age, many people read reviews before buying a service online. You should do the same when choosing an auto accident attorney. Statistics also claim that 46% of people read online reviews before hiring a lawyer. These reviews can be found on many independent platforms. For instance, Avvo and Martindale can help you find the best-rated lawyers in Chattanooga fit to be your representatives in this case.
- Ask for recommendations
Ask around your family and friends; maybe they were previously in an auto accident and hired the services of a reliable lawyer to get compensation from the offender. They can advise which auto accident attorney in Chattanooga can help you out.
You can also use social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter to ask people’s opinions. An internet stranger can direct you to a not-so-famous but reputable local lawyer to handle your crash case
- Interview different lawyers
Many lawyers offer free consultations in which they review your case and explain how they’ll handle the case. You can schedule appointments with different car crash attorneys and ask them questions. Focus on the lawyer’s body language, discussion style, and how they respond to your queries. A single interview – that costs nothing – will help you determine if this is the right person to speak in your defense. Rate different lawyers based on key factors, then decide who seems right. Avoid hiring the first person you find on your local Chattanooga Craigslist.
- Learn their fees
Many car crash and personal injury lawyers are willing to work on a contingency fee arrangement. In this arrangement, the lawyer gets paid only if their client wins the case and receives a favorable settlement. So, if you lose the case, the lawyer won’t charge you a dime. Ask if a lawyer is okay with this arrangement. Not every lawyer in Chattanooga might be, so keep finding the one who will.
Conclusion In 2016, 200,000+ vehicular accidents were recorded in the state of Tennessee; 7% of these crashes took place in Hamilton County alone. Chattanooga’s known for its dangerous intersections and death-defying drunk drivers passing through this town looking for a vacation. If you find yourself a victim of a car accident, call a local lawyer to fight this case on your behalf. Make sure the lawyer is qualified and experienced enough to handle your case. Check out that lawyer’s website and read online reviews. That’s how you can decide which auto accident attorney is perfect for your personal injury lawsuit.