What Should I Look For in a New York City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

When you suffer an injury in a pedestrian accident, you have the right to pursue legal action against the at-fault motorist. Taking these claims on by yourself is risky, given the complexity of the process. The right attorney could significantly increase your odds of successfully recovering compensation for your injuries. So what do you look for in a pedestrian accident attorney?

Skill and relevant experience are two of the most important factors when hiring a new attorney. That said, it is also critical that you find legal counsel who makes communication simple. Consider the following factors when hiring New York City pedestrian accident lawyers.

Dedication to injury victims

When you are pursuing a personal injury claim following a pedestrian accident, it is vital that you have the guidance of an attorney who has handled similar cases before. It is not enough to find an attorney with years of experience under their belt. If that experience is not related to personal injury law, it will not be of value to you in your case. You can expect the at-fault party to rely on legal counsel that focuses primarily on defending against injury claims. Having an attorney with limited experience in this area of law will put you at a disadvantage.

Willing litigator

Most personal injury claims never go to trial. While settlements are common, they do not happen on their own. Maximizing your compensation requires that you build the strongest case possible and refuse to settle for unfair offers. Sometimes, this can mean taking your case to trial.

You can benefit from hiring a lawyer who is unafraid to take a case to trial. By preparing every case as if it would see a jury, your attorney could put you in the best position to obtain financial recovery. Insurance companies are also more likely to make reasonable settlement offers to skilled legal counsel.

Contingency-based representation

Never pay legal fees upfront in a personal injury case. Many attorneys will accept these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you will only owe legal fees if your lawyer recovers compensation on your behalf. This ensures you have a chance at recovering damages even if you cannot pay an attorney out of pocket. It also means if your attorney is unsuccessful, you are not left with a bill for legal fees and no compensation to show for it.

Relatability

Finding the right attorney is about more than identifying the counsel with the strongest resume or most trial wins. You will spend significant amounts of time working with them. It is vital that you are comfortable on a personal level.

It can be incredibly frustrating to hire one attorney only to be shuffled off to a junior associate. Discuss with any prospective lawyer if they will handle your case directly or if this could be the last time you hear from them. Strong communication between you and your legal counsel will only help your case moving forward.

Contact us at Douglas & London for a free consultation

You should always get a feel for a prospective lawyer in person. Reading about an attorney is helpful but asking them direct questions during an initial consultation is far more valuable. Contact us today and schedule a consultation. We look forward to advocating for you.