There are thousands of injury accident attorneys, but what makes for a great automobile accident attorney?

Having the pedigree, belonging to a prestigious law firm, or being a partner in a law firm may be an indication that this particular attorney appears to have the knowledge and experience necessary to present an auto accident case to a jury or insurance adjuster with the greatest potential for achieving the maximum award.

In many instances, the head of a law firm or someone with an impressive educational background may be sufficient. But to be recognized by one’s peers and by the clients who were represented as a great attorney demands much more.

Years in Practice

An attorney who has practiced auto accident law for many years obviously has more experience than a lawyer just out of law school or one who has practiced for only a few years. However, many attorneys become jaded after years in practice and become less interested in presenting the best case possible. Many are successful, but your case may be just another routine case that can be handed off to an associate who may or may not do a satisfactory job representing you.

Types of Cases

The majority of personal injury attorneys have represented clients in other types of accident cases including premises liability, product defect, toxic torts, drug defect cases, and medical malpractice. These cases are typically more complex and require the services of an attorney with sufficient resources and knowledge to battle teams of defense attorneys and to meet every conceivable defense and roadblock designed to minimize the value of their client’s claim.

An attorney who has handled a variety of cases that present unique and complicated issues along with automobile accident cases is likely to possess the confidence that can translate into a great automobile accident attorney.

Trial Experience

The mark of a great automobile accident attorney is one who has a history of successful jury verdicts. There are thousands of personal injury attorneys who have never tried a case in court and have settled every case they have handled or referred them to another attorney if the case is certain for trial. Finding a great trial attorney is one who has extensive trial experience and usually has a high AV-rating of 4.0 to 5.0, a peer review process in which other attorneys judge their peers.

Trials are complicated matters and take a great deal of time and work to prepare. A great trial attorney will adequately prepare for every case as if it will go to trial, although over 90 percent of every case filed is settled before trial. If an attorney does not do the proper discovery or pre-trial work, which includes finding every responsible party for the accident; deposing the parties, witnesses, and experts; obtaining every relevant document; thoroughly interviewing and preparing the client and every witness for his or her case; and researching the law; then an injury claim is likely not to settle or will receive an unsatisfactory settlement offer.

Defense lawyers and insurance adjusters all know an automobile accident attorney who is hesitant about trying a case or will not try one. Having the confidence to stand before a judge and jury and successfully presenting a client’s case is probably the best indication of a great automobile accident attorney.