Chester County Car Accident Lawyer

There is never a good time for a car accident. In fact, being involved in a car accident can completely derail the plans you had for your day, and possibly even your week, month, or years to come, depending on your level of injury. Accidents and unintentional injury are the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. – and among car crash statistics, distracted driving is one of the top causes for accidents.

Distracted Driving Second Leading Cause for Pennsylvania Crashes

Data current as of November 2, 2016 from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Finding the Right Car Accident Attorney

There are certain things you can do following a car accident which can vastly change the outcome of that accident. One of the first things you can do is to call an experienced Chester County car accident attorney. Having a knowledgeable Pennsylvania attorney by your side from start to finish, allows you the time to attend to your injuries while your attorney deals with the legal side.If you have never hired an attorney for any reason, it can be a daunting task. Do you ask friends or family members, or should you simply thumb through the phone book and choose the attorney with the largest ad? While it can certainly be an intimidating task, there are ways to make the process easier and much smoother. Like most things in life, there is a right way and a wrong way to choose a Philadelphia car accident attorney. The wrong way is to open the phone book and blindly choose whichever attorney your finger lands on first. This is a significant event in your life, one with far-reaching consequences, and requires that you put a bit more effort and thought into choosing your Chester County car accident attorney.

Ask for Attorney Referrals

Think about it—when you are looking for a new doctor or a new hair stylist, you talk to the people in your life whose opinions you trust. You ask an office co-worker with a great haircut who cuts her hair. You ask your cousin who just had a baby, who her obstetrician is. Your efforts to find the right Philadelphia car accident attorney deserves no less effort. Speak to your friends, family members and co-workers regarding the attorneys they are acquainted with, and those they have actually used in the past. You will naturally ask questions such as:

Did you feel comfortable with the attorney?
Did the attorney keep you informed about your case?
Were your phone calls returned in a timely manner?
Were you happy with the outcome of your case?
Did your attorney show passion for your case, and compassion for your injuries?

Check Credentials

The answers to these questions will give you a good idea of which attorneys you want to follow up with. While you absolutely want a Chester County car accident attorney who you feel comfortable with and can talk to, remember—you are not hiring the attorney to be your friend, rather you want an attorney who will fight for your rights and obtain the best outcome. You want a proven track record of success, board certifications, peer ratings from other attorneys, legal awards, and Avvo or Martindale ratings. In other words, simply having an advertisement on the Internet or in the phone book does not guarantee the best attorney for your auto accident.

Choose an Attorney Who Can Afford to Handle Your Case

Next, while you don’t necessarily have to choose the attorney with the biggest advertisement or the nicest building, it is important that you choose a Pennsylvania attorney who can afford to handle your case from start to finish. Hiring experts to investigate your case and taking depositions can be expensive, therefore you need an attorney whose decisions are not influenced by finances.

Communication is Key

Regular communication is also essential. You want an attorney who will take your calls, or at least return them within a reasonable amount of time, return your e-mails and answer your questions. When you are speaking to different attorneys, ask your attorney about his or her policies regarding communication with clients. After all, you are not hiring your attorney’s paralegal, you are hiring the attorney. One of the biggest complaints directed at attorneys is that they do not communicate sufficiently with their clients.

Provide Your Attorney with the Necessary Information

When you are meeting with attorneys, you should have your notes regarding your auto accident, as well as all important documents and evidence related to your accident. This may include medical bills, insurance policies and police reports. Make sure you can present your case in a concise manner, rather than dumping a shoebox full of bills and notes written on scraps of paper on the attorney’s desk. You must be your own advocate when presenting your case to each attorney.

Discuss Attorney Fees

Finally, don’t shy away from discussing attorney fees. It is extremely important that you understand the attorney’s fee arrangement, and that the attorney will clearly explain to you how he or she bills. Before you sign an agreement with your chosen attorney, be absolutely sure you are clear on your fee arrangement.

Remember, even though you may find the “perfect” Chester County attorney for your car accident, the lawyer also has to want to take your case. The case may simply be too small for the attorney to take on, or the odds of winning might be extremely low. Further, just as you may not feel comfortable with an attorney, the attorney may not feel comfortable with you. Taking the time to find the right Pennsylvania car accident attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Don’t leave it to chance, rather be proactive and be a helpful partner in your case.

Contact Our Chester County Car Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love has sustained a serious injury in a car accident in Chester County, Philadelphia, Lancaster, or anywhere in the State of Pennsylvania, it is crucial you speak to an experienced West Chester car accident attorney in order to ensure your rights are protected and your future holds some hope. Your West Chester car accident attorney will be able to review all of your legal options with you.

The Chester county car accident attorneys of Ciccarelli Law Offices have successfully represented individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania that have been injured in accidents. Our Chester County based law firm is based at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380 and serves clients in Kennett Square, Downingtown, West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, Chester Springs, Chadds Ford, Landenberg, Honey Brook, Oxford, Malvern, Parkesburg, Phoenixville and Paoli. Contact us now at (610) 692-8700 or call toll free (877) 529-2422. Don’t wait—contact an attorney immediately.