Between January and March of 2022, 1,834 people died in auto accidents in Africa. Research shows that Africa has the world’s highest road accident death rates as well.
If you have been in a pedestrian accident, you may not know what to do next. The first thing you need to do is choose pedestrian accident lawyers to represent you.
This is a type of lawyer who specializes in pedestrian accidents. This guide will help you understand what to look for in this kind of lawyer.
Keep reading to find out how to choose pedestrian accident lawyers to take your case.
Get Specific
A pedestrian accident case is very specific when it comes to personal injury. There are a lot of personal injury lawyers out there who handle auto cases.
But the reality is that every situation is uniquely different. That is why you should look for lawyers who specialize in pedestrian accidents or injuries.
They studied the pedestrian accident laws and have the best understanding of these cases. The more experience the lawyer has, the better your chance of winning your case.
This is especially important if you have sustained a pedestrian accident injury. When this happens, you could receive compensation to cover any damages.
Your lawyer can help you navigate this to get the most compensation. This is very important, especially if you have a lot of medical bills to cover.
A lawyer can also make sure you are compensated for emotional damages and lost time at work.
Look Local
When you choose pedestrian accident lawyers, you most likely start online. Researching online is by far the best way to look at your options.
The problem with this is that you may be searching too broadly. It is important to limit your search to options for lawyers who are local.
Going with a local lawyer comes with a lot of benefits for your case. For one thing, it is easier to meet up with them and discuss the details of your case.
It can also help to cut back on how expensive your lawyer is. If they are having to travel, this is going to add to their hourly fee.
You also want a local lawyer because they understand local laws. Laws change quite dramatically depending on the area and the state.
Local lawyers also have more connections in the legal industry.
Look at Reputation
There are a lot of lawyers that people can choose from for their claims. But the reality is that there are a lot of low-quality lawyers as well.
When you are researching, it is important to weed out these lawyers. You want to choose a lawyer that has a very good local reputation.
One of the best ways to do this is to ask for references. You may know people who needed a lawyer, and they may have a recommendation.
If that isn’t the case, reading online reviews is also very useful. You can find reviews from past clients regarding how that lawyer worked and handled their cases.
Keep in mind that you cannot depend purely on client reviews. These can be quite fickle since they really come down to personal opinion.
It is also worth doing some research to look into the lawyer’s credentials. They need to be licensed for that area and have the educational background to support their specialty.
Compare Fees
It is no secret that going to court can be a bit expensive. That is why comparing lawyer fees is an important step of the hiring process.
Lawyer fees can be quite confusing since they change depending on the lawyer. You may need to call and ask for a quote for your claim.
Keep in mind that a lawyer may not be able to provide a quote until they understand your case. Every case is different, and yours may be more complex.
Consider Customer Support
Some pedestrian accident lawyers have a customer support team on hand. If that is the case, this is also something you want to carefully consider.
You will most likely be working closely with this law firm on your case. Because of this, you need to contact them frequently at a moment’s notice.
It is important that the customer service team is punctual and friendly. They should return your phone calls and have the knowledge to answer your questions.
Poor quality customer support is a red flag about that law firm. That is why Alpha Accident Lawyers prioritizes each client’s experience with their firm.
If you need to choose pedestrian accident lawyers, you can visit alphaaccidentlawyers.com.
Have a Consultation
After researching your options, you should have a list of potential lawyers. For most people, it is a good idea to have at least 3 to 5 lawyers to contact.
You can interview or set up a consultation with each of these lawyers. Some law firms provide free consultations so that you can meet the lawyer.
This is the perfect opportunity to get to know them as a person. You want to choose a lawyer who you get along with and enjoy communicating with.
This is also the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you have. Here are some examples of specific questions you should ask each lawyer.
Success Rate
A lawyer’s history says a lot about their quality of work. That is why it is a good idea to ask the lawyer about their success rate.
They should be able to give you their success rate as well as past experiences. You could even ask for specific examples that are similar to your case.
If they have failed certain cases, have them explain why they think that is. This shows that they have knowledge in that area and have a firm grasp of all their cases.
Case Strategy
Every pedestrian accident case is going to have unique factors. You should ask the lawyer what kind of strategy they would use for your case.
An experienced lawyer should be able to think of a strategy off the top of their head. This is because high-quality lawyers have to think fast.
You could also ask them what they would do if their strategy failed. It is a good idea to choose a lawyer who always has a backup plan they can turn to.
Length of Time
As a civilian, the prospect of going to court is probably quite overwhelming. You do not know what to expect or how long this process will take.
The good news is that a lawyer can help to give you some peace of mind. One question you can ask them is how long they think the case will take.
In some cases, all your lawyer needs to do is negotiate compensation. If that doesn’t work, the case may need to be taken to court in front of a judge and jury.
They should be able to give you a ballpark estimate of how long each process will take.
Types of Fees
Choosing an affordable lawyer is important for most people. But it is important to not forget about where these fees are coming from.
You want to choose a lawyer who is transparent about how they work. They should be able to describe where fees are coming from and what could influence them.
For instance, if the case changes in some way, how will that affect the lawyer fees? Will certain fees go up or are there any hidden fees you should know about?
Do You Have to Hire a Lawyer?
You may be feeling hesitant about getting a pedestrian accident lawyer. The reality is that you’re not required to get a lawyer if you were in a pedestrian accident.
You can have a case and represent yourself in court. But this is not an ideal option since you do not have the required legal knowledge.
Your chance of receiving compensation will go down dramatically because of this. It is also worth mentioning that handling this on your own will be much more stressful.
Top Tips on How to Choose Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
If you have been in a pedestrian accident, you may have sustained some injuries. If that is the case, you need to choose pedestrian accident lawyers to create a case.
You need to look at the lawyer’s reputation as well as their fees. Choose a local lawyer who specifically has experience in pedestrian accidents.
Did this article answer your questions on how to find the right pedestrian accident lawyer? If so, check out our other articles for more legal information.