How to find the right car accident lawyer

Finding the right car accident lawyer may be easier than you think. We spoke with Dave Wattel, an Arizona attorney who has been handling plaintiffs' cases exclusively for over 20 years, to explain how the process works in his firm. Here's what he told us:

We offer a free consultation and then we sign a retainer agreement with a client that spells out the terms. We do work on a contingency basis. There are some attorneys out there that hold themselves out as 'discount' attorneys. The discount in my opinion is not that significant and people need to understand what net is all about.

We believe a net recovery based upon our standard fee is going to be as great, if not greater, in the long run than a discount attorney’s fee. Why? Because insurance companies know we litigate. Insurance companies know we don’t back down. Insurance companies know they have to pay our clients top dollar, otherwise we’re going to force them to spend the money under their obligation to defend – and that will cost them more money down the line.

Now with that said, there are occasions at the end of the case where I’m not satisfied with the disbursement and the net that the client will receive and I may elect to reduce my fee because it’s good business and because I want the client to feel better about the resolution. That’s not because the case went badly. It’s just because I feel for the client and I want to see them get what they’re due.

Look for an advocate

It's important to look for an attorney who will be an advocate, not someone who will settle your case quickly and simply more on to the next one. Wattel explained that you've got to get an attorney who:

• is essentially an expert in insurance, who understands the importance of litigation and who is willing to go to court. Insurance companies know which attorneys are unwilling to go to court,. so they low ball their clients.
• assists with property damage – one who understands the importance of having a client utilize their own insurance for property damage, as opposed to the other person’s.
• understands and pursues diminished value claims. Lots of attorneys out there do not pursue diminished value claims and probably commit malpractice when not doing so under certain circumstances.