There is perhaps no more trying time in a person’s life than the immediate aftermath of a serious accident or debilitating injury. And compounding this physical and emotional strain is often the cause: somebody else’s negligence.If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the first thing you need to do is find a good personal injury law firm that can help you move forward with your case. You may be entitled to damages. These damages can range from compensatory to punitive, depending on the details of the case. A good attorney can help you navigate your options and will represent you in a court case. Don’t just call the first attorney in the phone book, however. Take the time to do some research beforehand.

One of the most important aspects of finding a good personal injury law firm is to find one that is experienced. But experience in and of itself is not enough. You want an attorney that has experience in the courtroom, taking things to trial, and one that has a record of getting excellent settlements for his clients. Furthermore, you want one that has experience in your particular type of case. It’s difficult to find things like this out simply by looking in a directory, so your best bet is to rely on referrals. Friends and others you know are a good place to start when it comes to referrals. Even if they aren’t able to directly refer you to the type of attorney you need, they may be able to put you in touch with a lawyer who can then refer you on to a specialist in your area.

Don’t be afraid to set up multiple consultations. Most reputable personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations. Take advantage of this and meet with several. Observe how they treat you and take note of how enthusiastic they are about your case. If they seem too busy to give you their full attention, this is likely going to be indicative of how you will be represented.

Many cities have referral services that are set up to send clients to their list of attorneys. Unless you have no other choice, this is generally not the best way to go about finding a personal injury law firm. These services have specific deals set up, so you don’t really know if you’re getting the best possible representation. Many of these are also set up to refer you to a chiropractor or some other form of medical help, so you may wish to avoid the trap.

When it comes to choosing any attorney, the ultimate choice is up to you and it can be a highly personal one. If you’re strapped for cash, look for ones that work on a contingency basis, i.e., they get paid from the settlement, not out of pocket. Then you have the added peace of mind that they will be working hard to win your case, as their payment depends on it.

Messa & Associates is a law firm that represents individuals and their families in complex personal injury matters, including catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, fires and explosions. Their Philadelphia accident attorneys help clients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and around the country. Founded by Joseph L. Messa, an AV-rated Pennsylvania injury lawyer listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the firm has successfully litigated multiple serious injury cases to seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements, including workplace injuries, products liability cases, construction injuries, medical malpractice, birth injuries, and vehicular accidents, including airplanes, trucks, trains and cars.

Car accidents are always extremely stressful, and can be extremely dangerous if not deadly. They occur at an alarming rate because our society simply depends on our vehicles to get through our daily routines. As such, and given the weather that exists in Washington with roads that are often wet and slippery, car accidents occur several times per day.

Below are some basic ideas to consider as you search for an experienced car accident lawyer in Washington.

Do Not Handle this Yourself

If you’re one of the 56,00+ people who suffers minor injuries in a car accident in Washington every year, it’s likely that you’ll think that you’ll save yourself some time and money by negotiating with the insurance companies involved on your own. If you do this, it’s quite possible that you will save neither time nor money.

Insurance companies are staffed with in-house defense attorneys whose job is to limit the financial liability that their companies face. If you get involved in this situation, you’ll soon be buried in paperwork and you’ll be inundated with legal jargon and other steps that will not be familiar to someone without relevant legal experience. In the end, this could cost you a large portion of your justifiable recovery.

Ask Questions

If you’ve made the wise decision to speak to a car accident attorney, a good place to start would be to ask around. As mentioned above, tens of thousands of people are injured in Washington car accidents every year, so chances are that you’ll know someone who’s needed legal help as a result of such an occurrence. This personalized perspective is valuable and can offer you much more insight than simply looking at the phone book or responding to an advertisement.

Own the Consultation

After you’ve decided to meet with a car accident attorney, come prepared with questions as well as with all the information that pertains to your accident. The attorney will need to review your situation in order to provide you with sound recommendations, and you’ll need to ask some questions to make sure that you’re working with someone you feel is the proper fit. Below are some examples of questions you should ask during this meeting:

* How long have you been practicing law?
* How long have you been handling car accident cases in Washington?
* How many cases have you handled?
* How many cases have settled?
* How many have gone to trial?
* What were the results?
* How does your fee structure work?

Aside from the answers to your questions, you should also pay attention to the dynamic that exists between you and the attorney across the desk. The reason is that you will be working with your attorney closely throughout this process, and you’ll need to feel comfortable discussing potentially uncomfortable subjects.
Joel M. Finkelstein is a widely respected and successful Washington DC medical malpractice lawyer and personal injury attorney. He combines a reassuring demeanor and personal attention with an aggressive drive and sense of justice. The result is a lawyer who sensitively guides the injured and their families through the emotional upheaval that follows an accident and who generates exceptional outcomes for them.