Super Lawyers vs Thumbtack

There's no way around it: car accidents are the worst. Not only is it an extremely stressful event, but getting in a car accident of any kind is costly. In fact, the total costs related to car accidents through one calendar year in the U.S. is over $480 billion.

Whether you're worried about paying for car repairs or personal injury concerns, it can be a pretty overwhelming experience. Plus, you may need to deal with insurance companies or handle extenuating circumstances around fault that cause an insurance claim to be more complex. In these cases, your best bet for your financial security and stress levels is to hire a car accident lawyer.

Some of the top reasons people secure a car accident lawyer for their situation include an accident with serious or catastrophic injuries (like back injuries or concussions/brain damage); being hit by a driver that was uninsured or had limited insurance coverage; the other driver disputes being at fault for the accident or claims you were at fault; and needing help with insurance claims. In all cases, your lawyer will help you get the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, injuries, and more.

So, what does your car accident lawyer do? For injury claims, a lawyer can help you seek medical care, get compensation for lost wages if you can't work, and get payment for ongoing care depending on the severity of your accident. For other cases like being hit by an uninsured driver or disputed liability, the lawyer can help you build a case against the other driver to protect your rights and get your compensation. If you're just easily stressed out by dealing with insurance companies, your car accident lawyer will interface with your insurance company, so you don't have to worry about anything.

The bottom line is that your car accident lawyer works for you, and he or she will work hard to find and pursue all avenues for compensation. Some that might surprise you outside of damages to your car and medical expenses include pain, suffering, and emotional stress - which are ways to get further compensation than if you just went through your insurance company by yourself.

The best part? You don't have to pay out of pocket for attorney services. The best car accident lawyers out there will typically get paid a "contingency fee". This means your lawyer won't get paid unless they secure a settlement for you. The fee is a percentage of the total amount you receive for winning your case. This is typically between 33% and 40%, and it will be decided and discussed with your lawyer before securing the service.

So, if you're looking for a way to take the stress out of a recent car accident for yourself or a loved one, getting a car accident lawyer to help you through the weeds is ideal. If you're not sure where to look for a lawyer you can trust, we've put together some factors to help you narrow the field:

• Fees. The best car accident lawyers won't charge you unless you win your case or get a settlement. Some lawyers offer a hybrid arrangement with retainer fees or hourly rates, so make sure that you're getting the best deal for your situation. However, the sites where you find lawyers should always be free to use.
• Specialization. If you want the best settlement for your car accident, make sure to look for a car accident lawyer who specializes in personal injury law for car accidents. General practice lawyers won't have the same experience dealing with insurance and other aspects of your car accident settlement.
• Transparency. If you're looking at sites that offer you multiple car accident lawyers or a database to connect you to a professional, you'll want to make sure that the lawyers have full transparency and solid communication through the platform or offer a way to contact the attorney directly. You want to know all the policies (and potential fees) up front.
• Reputation. As always, make sure you check out testimonials and reviews for different lawyers and providers. The best places will show you unbiased feedback for individual car accident lawyers. On top of that, if you're using a database or site, check out its reputation with the Better Business Bureau too.

To help you get the best care and compensation after a wreck, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked today's most popular places to hire car accident lawyers. This way, you can hand over the most stressful part to a professional, and get the compensation you're owed for your time, troubles, and your poor car!