Car accidents are far too common in the US, with 2.74 million car accident-related injuries in 2019. South Carolina and Fort Mill is one of the towns is number 10 on the deadliest states for driving list. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 633 car accident fatalities in the state, with 12.37 fatalities per 100k people.
The top five counties for road accident fatalities are:
- Spartenburg
- Greenville
- Charleston
- Horry
- Richland
Thankfully, York County isn’t on that list, but there were still 26 fatal accidents in 2023. If you’ve been in a car accident in Fort Mill, SC, and need to hire a personal injury attorney, finding the right lawyer for your case is important.
According to Thomas Pope, a Fort Mill car accident lawyer, these are the 5 key things to consider when choosing a car accident lawyer.
1. Experience Handling Car Accident Cases
First, make sure any lawyer you’re considering has extensive experience specifically handling car accident injury cases. Ask about the number of cases similar to yours they’ve handled, as well as their success record recovering compensation.
An experienced car accident attorney will be familiar with valuing claims, negotiating with insurance adjusters, and trial litigation if a fair settlement can’t be reached. 53% of all personal injury cases are related to motor vehicle accidents and it can take up to 20 months for cases to reach a settlement.
2. Resources to Build Your Case
Also consider what resources the attorney has to investigate your crash, document evidence, and strengthen your claim. Things like working with accident reconstruction experts, getting witness statements, gathering medical records, and presenting evidence to insurance companies require substantial resources.
Look for a car accident lawyer with the expertise and funding to gather all the documentation needed to maximize your payout.
3. Contingency Fee Structure
Most car accident lawyers let you pay nothing upfront and the attorney only gets compensated if they succeed in getting you a settlement. Typical contingency fees range from 30-40% of the final settlement amount. Make sure to ask about percentage fees and whether any costs are taken out first before the lawyer’s cut.
4. Reputation Handling Insurance Companies
In injury claims, you’ll be negotiating with insurance carriers like State Farm and Allstate to attempt to settle outside court. Find out what reputation the law firm has dealing with insurers, and if they have a track record of getting better settlements for clients compared to negotiating yourself. An attorney experienced in “going to bat” for clients can make a big difference.
5. Client Testimonials and Referrals
Finally, look online for reviews and testimonials from the lawyer’s past clients involved in car crashes. This can give you a good feel for the quality of service and results they provide. Ask friends or family for referrals to car accident attorneys they’d recommend. This can help find someone reputable to represent your case.
Following these tips when comparing Fort Mill accident lawyers can help you identify the best legal representation. Be sure to run a thorough search before deciding on the attorney to take your car crash compensation claim. The right lawyer makes all the difference in getting you the maximum settlement possible.
