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If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or any personal injury incident in Los Angeles, finding the right accident attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
A skilled lawyer can help you secure maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages. So What Are the Common Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring An Accident Attorney?
However, not all lawyers are created equal, and hiring the wrong accident attorney can cost you time, money, and even your case. To help you make an informed decision, here are the most common mistakes to avoid when hiring an accident attorney—and how to find the best lawyer for your personal injury claim.
1. Choosing an Attorney Without Personal Injury Experience
One of the biggest mistakes accident victims make is hiring a lawyer who doesn’t specialize in personal injury law. Law is a vast field, and attorneys often focus on different areas, such as family law, business law, or criminal defense.
Why This Is a Mistake:
A general attorney may not have the expertise, negotiation skills, or trial experience required to win a personal injury case. Insurance companies have aggressive lawyers working for them, and you need an attorney who knows how to fight for your rights and maximize your compensation.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Hire an attorney who exclusively handles personal injury cases.
✅ Check their track record—how many cases have they won?
✅ Look for success stories and settlements in cases similar to yours.
Example: If you’ve been in a serious car accident, you want a Los Angeles accident attorney who has successfully handled hundreds of auto accident claims and recovered millions for injured clients.
2. Hiring an Attorney Based on TV Ads Alone
Many accident attorneys advertise on TV, billboards, and social media, but that doesn’t always mean they are the best choice for your case. Some of these firms operate like a business factory, handling hundreds of cases but providing little personal attention to clients.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Some high-volume law firms:
❌ Assign cases to inexperienced junior lawyers or paralegals.
❌ Focus on settling quickly instead of maximizing your payout.
❌ Offer poor communication, leaving you frustrated and uninformed.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Do your research—don’t hire based on ads alone.
✅ Read Google reviews, Yelp reviews, and client testimonials.
✅ Schedule a free consultation to see if the attorney will personally handle your case.
3. Not Checking the Attorney’s Reputation and Reviews
With so many personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles, how do you separate the best from the rest? Checking online reviews and testimonials is a great way to get insight into how an attorney treats their clients.
Why This Is a Mistake:
If a law firm has poor reviews, multiple complaints, or disciplinary actions, it’s a red flag. Some attorneys overpromise and underdeliver, leaving clients disappointed with their case results.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Search the attorney’s name on Google, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Yelp.
✅ Read both positive and negative reviews to get a full picture.
✅ Check if they have bar complaints or disciplinary records in California.
4. Hiring a Lawyer Who Doesn’t Have Trial Experience
Most personal injury cases settle out of court, but sometimes, going to trial is necessary to get the compensation you deserve. If your attorney is not willing to take your case to trial, insurance companies will use that against you.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Some attorneys only focus on quick settlements and avoid court at all costs. This can lead to lower settlement offers because insurance companies know the attorney won’t fight in court.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Ask the attorney how many cases they have taken to trial.
✅ Ensure they have courtroom experience and are prepared to fight if necessary.
✅ Look for trial verdicts and high settlements in their case history.
5. Choosing the Cheapest Attorney Instead of the Best One
When dealing with medical bills and lost wages, it’s natural to worry about legal fees. However, choosing an attorney solely based on cost can be a major mistake.
Why This Is a Mistake:
A cheap or inexperienced lawyer may:
❌ Lack the resources to properly investigate your case.
❌ Accept a lowball settlement just to close the case quickly.
❌ Fail to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Remember that most Los Angeles accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.
✅ Focus on experience, track record, and client satisfaction rather than just fees.
✅ Ask about past case results to see if they have won cases similar to yours.
6. Failing to Ask About Communication and Case Updates
One of the most frustrating experiences for accident victims is hiring an attorney who never returns their calls or emails.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Poor communication can leave you:
❌ Feeling anxious and uninformed about your case.
❌ Wondering if your lawyer is actually working on your claim.
❌ Struggling to get answers when you need them most.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Ask, “How often will I receive case updates?”
✅ Ensure they have clear communication policies.
✅ Look for a law firm with a dedicated case manager or support team to answer questions.
7. Not Understanding the Attorney’s Fee Structure
Most accident attorneys in Los Angeles work on a contingency fee basis, but not all fee agreements are the same.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Some law firms:
❌ Charge hidden fees that reduce your final settlement.
❌ Have higher contingency fees than industry standards.
❌ Make clients responsible for upfront legal expenses.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Make sure the lawyer explains their fee agreement clearly.
✅ Ask about any additional costs or case-related expenses.
✅ Get everything in writing before signing a contract.
8. Waiting Too Long to Hire an Attorney
In California, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. However, waiting too long to hire a lawyer can hurt your case.
Why This Is a Mistake:
🚨 Key evidence (witness statements, accident reports, surveillance footage) can disappear.
🚨 Insurance companies may delay your claim, making it harder to recover compensation.
🚨 You may miss critical deadlines, resulting in your case being dismissed.
What to Do Instead:
✅ Contact an accident attorney as soon as possible after an injury.
✅ Let a lawyer handle negotiations with insurance companies right away.
✅ Ensure you don’t miss the statute of limitations deadline.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Accident Attorney in Los Angeles
Avoiding these common mistakes can make all the difference in hiring the right accident attorney and securing the maximum compensation for your injuries.
If you need a trusted, experienced accident lawyer in Los Angeles, we are here to help.
📞 Call Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation today!
✔ No upfront fees – We only get paid if you win!
✔ Millions recovered for accident victims
✔ Aggressive legal representation to fight for what you deserve
🚨 Don’t risk your case—contact us now! 🚨