Victims of DUI accidents go through a lot. In addition to the injuries and mental trauma they’ve suffered, they also have to go through the lengthy, complicated process of proving that the perpetrator was indeed drunk when the accident happened.
This can take a toll on the victim. In times like this, the recommended course of action would be to talk to a drunk driving accident lawyer.
But why does a victim of a DUI crash need a lawyer? Because tackling the legal system alone is an almost impossible task. There’s a lot of paperwork to be done, and the victim has to produce the necessary evidence to prove their injuries. The victim has to perform actions like this and more while nursing their injuries and answering the ever-persistent insurance adjusters.
All these issues can be solved when the victim has a lawyer by their side. But any lawyer won’t do. The victim has to do their own research to hire the best drunk driving lawyer. This article focuses on the points that an individual should look out for before finalizing a DUI lawyer.
Qualification
A lawyer’s qualifications take priority over anything else. Before the victim starts discussing their case, they should check whether the lawyer is qualified for the job. Qualifications can also include certifications, places of education, and so on. This part is vital because someone who’s taking responsibility for a DUI case must be well-versed in the field of law to tackle any hardship that might crop up.
Experience
An experienced attorney will always have an edge over a new or inexperienced one. This is because someone who has faced and won many cases has knowledge of the many complications that may appear in a drunk driving case.
An inexperienced attorney may be blindsided when a challenge they’ve never faced comes up. They may either fail or use up resources to solve this challenge. An experienced attorney, on the other hand, will easily brush past this challenge, as they have come across many such instances in their career.
Reviews/Testimonials
The internet is a goldmine of information. An individual who’s been injured in a DUI accident can use this to their advantage. They can search for potential lawyers who will take up their case. Once they’ve shortlisted a few, they can look for reviews posted by the lawyer’s clients.
The reviews or testimonials posted by former clients can reveal a lot of information, like:
- How professional is the lawyer?
- What is their success rate?
- Do they work on a contingency basis?
- What is the approach they take to solving a case?
- What is their level of expertise in a drunk driving case? And lots more.
Fee
A lawyer’s fee is usually one factor that pushes a person away from a lawyer. They may feel that a lawyer might be too expensive for them, considering that they’re already facing financial constraints due to the accident.
It’s good to remember that a lawyer’s price reflects their quality. Cheaper lawyers may either be inexperienced or lacking in skill.
Comfort Level
No matter how experienced or skilled a lawyer is, the victim should feel comfortable working with them. The victim may feel that the lawyer isn’t very professional, that the lawyer is too direct or too reticent, or that the lawyer isn’t very confident when talking with them. All these are valid reasons for a victim to refrain from choosing a drunk driving lawyer.
Communication
The victim has the right to know all the developments in their DUI case. It is the lawyer’s responsibility to keep the victim updated about their case.
The level of communication between the lawyer and the victim is an important aspect to consider. The lawyer must be available at all times to clearly explain the different concepts of the case. Even if the lawyer is not available, they need to have other pre-planned ways of communicating.
Conclusion
Choosing a lawyer is no simple task since the victim will be discussing personal details and sharing confidential information about the accident. However, with the right guidance, the victim can choose a lawyer that not only fits their budget but also handles their case well.
