Did you know Missouri ranks 19th in the list of states with the highest number of road accidents? As per National Safety Council data, your odds of dying in an accident in 2019 were 1 in 106. It means there are increased chances of you or your loved one becoming an accident victim in the near future.
Missouri follows an “at-fault” law for accidents and the party responsible for the accident is liable to pay for the injuries and damages to the victims. So, if you or your loved one was injured in a car accident, the first thing to do is look for top Missouri car accident attorneys. Here is a guide to hiring the right car accident attorney in Missouri.
Car Accident Attorney – What Does It Exactly Mean?
As per 2020 crash data, Missouri recorded 33269 personal injury crashes. A car accident lawyer is your legal representative in the court when you file a personal injury claim. The attorney helps you get compensation for injuries and property damages due to the accident.
A car accident attorney might be solo practicing or working at a legal firm. For instance, you want to find the best Missouri car accident attorneys. In that case, you can start searching on the Internet by using keywords like best car accident attorneys in Missouri and visiting the websites listed in the results.
Credentials Are Important
An attorney needs to have a bachelor’s degree from a law school and should have passed the bar examination. They should also be a member of the Missouri bar association to practice law in the state and represent you in court.
Ask About the Expertise and Experience
The law domain is quite large and complex, and you cannot be an expert in every law area. Hence, most lawyers choose a specialization and take up cases pertaining to that law area. You need to look for an attorney who has expertise in handling car accident claims cases.
Furthermore, you need to check the attorney’s experience in car accident claims. To get information, you can ask a few questions like
- How long have you been fighting the car accident claims cases?
- How many car accident claims have you won to date?
- What is the maximum compensation amount you have won for your client?
Honest answers to the questions above will help determine the expertise and experience of the attorney in car accident claims.
Ask for Free Consultation
Most car accident lawyers in Missouri offer a free consultation to the clients. During the first consultation, you should share all information about the accident and any evidence you might have collected from the accident spot. Then, the attorney will analyze your information and evidence and tell you whether it is a strong case and should be pursued.
If the lawyer finds the case weak, he may advise you to go for a settlement with the defendant’s insurance company.
Check the Lawyer’s Standing
Not all lawyers are honest about their profession. Before hiring any car accident attorney, find the lawyer’s standing. You can check the Missouri Bar Association website for any complaints about the lawyer or check reviews online.
Consider these factors to select the best car accident attorney in Missouri to help you get maximum compensation.
