Car Accident Attorney Red Flags

One thing’s for sure: car accident attorney red flags aren’t discussed in school. In fact, our society doesn’t tend to put a lot of effort into ensuring that we’re raising adults who understand their legal rights. So, when it comes to car accident attorneys, how do you know when you’ve got a good one? And, more importantly, how do you know when you’ve got an attorney who’s wasting your time and not committed to getting you the compensation you deserve. While many personal injury attorneys defy the stereotypes about attorneys, there are definitely some attorneys out there who give all attorneys a bad name. When you’re looking for a personal injury attorney, you need one who’s going to fight for fair and full compensation. 

They Ask for Money Upfront 

Personal injury attorneys generally don’t take money upfront because they take cases on contingency. When an attorney takes a case on contingency, it means that the client only pays the attorney when the case has been settled, or when the client gets a judgment in their favor. If the client goes all the way to trial and loses their case, they do not have to pay the personal injury attorney anything. Most personal injury attorneys take cases on contingency. This means that personal injury attorneys generally don’t take cases that they think cannot be won or settled. If your personal injury attorney is asking you to give them money upfront, that may be a red flag. 

They Make Big Promises 

While personal injury attorneys may make predictions about how your case could go, they shouldn’t be making you promises regarding specific outcomes and specific settlement/judgment amounts. It’s impossible to say exactly what a case is worth, especially if you haven’t reviewed the evidence and the damages yourself. If your attorney tells you on the first time you meet that they can guarantee you a specific sum of money really quickly, that may be a red flag, especially if they’re dealing with limited information regarding your case. An attorney should never promise certain results or settlements/judgments. If they do, that may be a bad sign. 

There’s a Lot of Pressure 

A lot of “churn and burn” firms pressure their clients to settle their cases as soon as possible. This is because the firm likely takes a percentage of the client’s settlement, and that firm wants to get paid. The problem is that settling as soon as possible isn’t always in the client’s best interest. If you have sustained injury, and you’re looking for an attorney to represent your interests, do not go with an attorney who has a reputation for settling claims as soon as possible. Instead, it’s likely more beneficial to go with a firm that’s gone to court multiple times and has a proven track record of succeeding on  behalf of their clients. 

They Don’t Update You 

A personal injury attorney should update you on what’s happening with your case every few months, even if they’re just calling to tell you that nothing has happened with your  case. Personal injury cases often take a very long time, and getting the compensation you deserve isn’t always as quick and easy as you’d think. So, while you may not hear from your attorney next week, you should expect to hear from them every month or so. If your personal injury attorney never updates you on the status of your case, that may be a red flag. At Moxie Law Group, we understand that your personal injury claim is important to you, and we’ll do everything in our power to keep you updated. 

They Don’t Get Back to You 

Got questions about your case? The legal process can be complicated, and you deserve a personal injury attorney who is able to get back to you in a timely manner. While you may not get an immediate response, a good personal injury attorney should get back to you within the next two to three business days. Because attorneys can be busy with trials and other consultations, you might not hear back from the attorney, but you should hear back from someone in the office, such as a legal assistant or paralegal, within the next two to three business days. If you cannot get in touch with anyone in the office, that may be a red flag. 

It’s Time for Something Different 

At Moxie Law Group, our attorneys are dedicated to doing what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. If you’ve sustained injury, and you’re ready for your free consultation, contact Moxie Law Group today to begin your free consultation.