Auto Accident Attorney in Philadelphia Offering Guidance on Choosing the Best Car Accident Attorney
You're hurt. Your car is damaged. The insurance adjuster just called, and you have no idea what to say.
And now you're supposed to pick a lawyer?
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between recovering fair compensation and settling for far less than you deserve.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to choose the best car accident attorneys in Philadelphia for your specific situation. The goal isn't to retain just any attorney but instead to choose the right one for you.
Choosing the Right Attorney Starts With Asking the Right Questions in Your First Consultation
The best car accident attorneys for your neighbor might not be the best for you.
Your case is unique. Maybe you were rear-ended at a red light. Maybe a rideshare driver caused your injuries. Maybe you're dealing with limited tort insurance or an uninsured motorist. Each situation requires a different experience and strategy.
Here's how to find the right match.
Start by making a list of personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia who handle car accident cases. Ask friends, family, or your doctor for recommendations. Search online reviews and attorney directories.
Next, organize all the documents related to your accident. Gather your police report, photos of the scene and vehicle damage, medical records and bills, insurance policies, and any correspondence with insurance companies. Bring pay stubs if you've missed work. These documents help attorneys evaluate your case accurately.
Then schedule consultations. Almost all personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluations. You have nothing to lose by meeting with multiple attorneys.
What matters most is asking the right questions during those consultations.
- First, you need to learn your actual chances of recovering compensation in a situation like yours.
- Second, you need to understand how this attorney will treat you throughout the case.
The attorney-client relationship matters because personal injury cases take time. You might work together for months or even years. You need someone who matches your communication style, understands your support needs, and respects how you want to be involved in your case.
Pay attention to how attorneys answer your questions.
Do they explain things clearly? Do they rush through their responses or take time to make sure you understand? Do they seem genuinely interested in your situation?
Below are the essential questions that help you decide whether a lawyer is the right fit for your situation.
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Ask Questions About Their Experience & Track Record
Experience matters. You want an attorney who has handled cases like yours before and won them.
How many car accident cases like mine have you handled?
Don't just ask about car accidents in general. Get specific about your scenario.
If you were hit by an Uber driver, ask how many rideshare cases they've handled. If a truck caused your injuries, ask about their truck accident experience. If you have limited tort insurance, ask how they've navigated that restriction before.
The best car accident attorneys should give you concrete numbers and examples, not vague reassurances.
What were the typical outcomes of those cases?
Ask about their success rate with fact patterns similar to yours.
The best car accident attorneys will explain what happened in past cases without making promises about your outcome. They'll discuss the ranges of settlements or verdicts they've secured for clients in comparable situations.
Have you taken cases to trial? How often?
This question separates serious litigators from settlement mills.
Insurance companies pay attention to which lawyers actually go to trial. If your attorney has a reputation for settling every case, the insurance company will lowball the offer. They know your lawyer won't push back.
But if your attorney has a track record of taking cases to court and winning, insurance companies offer more reasonable settlements. They'd rather settle fairly than risk losing at trial.
You want an auto accident attorney in Philadelphia who's willing and able to litigate your case if needed.
What is your biggest settlement or verdict in a case similar to mine?
This question checks both seriousness and competence.
You're not asking because you expect the same result. Every case is different. But an attorney who has secured significant compensation in cases like yours has proven they can handle complex negotiations and litigation.
Listen for specifics. What type of accident was it? What were the injuries? How did they build the case?
How much is my case potentially worth?
A good attorney will present a range and explain what affects the value. They'll discuss factors like the severity of your injuries, how the accident happened, available insurance coverage, and whether you share any fault.
They should also explain what could increase or decrease that range as the case develops.
Ask Questions About How They Will Handle Your Case
You need to know who's actually doing the work and how involved they'll be.
Who will be the actual attorney working on my case?
Some firms advertise one attorney but assign your case to someone else entirely.
If the person meeting with you won't be handling your case, ask to meet the attorney who will. You deserve to evaluate the person who'll represent you.
Ask about the team structure. Will paralegals handle most of the work? Will multiple attorneys collaborate on your case? There's nothing wrong with a team approach, but you should know who's doing what.
How often will you update me?
Some clients want weekly updates. Others prefer to hear from their lawyer only when something significant happens.
Figure out the attorney's typical update pattern. Do they send monthly emails? Do they call after every development? Will you need to reach out for updates, or will they contact you proactively?
Make sure their communication style matches your expectations.
How can I reach you if something urgent happens?
You want clear communication rules from the start.
Find out if you'll have the attorney's direct phone number or if you'll go through a receptionist. Ask if they respond to emails or prefer phone calls. Learn whether they're available on weekends or after business hours for emergencies.
Some attorneys give clients their cell phone numbers. Others keep strict office hours. Neither approach is wrong, but you should know what to expect.
How soon will you return phone calls and emails?
Unanswered calls and emails are the top complaint against lawyers.
Ask how quickly they typically respond. Same day? Within 24 hours? Within 48 hours?
And ask what happens if they're unavailable. Will someone else from their team respond?
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Ask Questions About Strategy & Expectations
This shows whether they understand your case deeply and can explain a plan clearly.
What is your strategy for my case?
Look for a confident, structured answer.
The attorney should outline the key steps: gathering evidence, calculating damages, submitting a demand to the insurance company, negotiating, and potentially filing a lawsuit if negotiations fail.
They should also explain their specific approach to your type of case. How will they prove the other driver was at fault? What evidence will they need to demonstrate your injuries? How will they calculate your damages?
Vague answers like "we'll fight for you" or "we'll get you what you deserve" aren't enough.
What strengths and weaknesses do you see in my case?
Great attorneys are honest about weaknesses early.
Every case has vulnerabilities. Maybe you didn't seek medical treatment immediately after the accident. Maybe there's a dispute about how the crash happened. Maybe your injuries aren't as severe as other cases.
You want an attorney who identifies problems early and has a plan to address them.
How long do you expect this case to take?
More serious injuries typically mean longer cases.
Minor injury cases with clear liability might settle in a few months. Cases involving permanent injuries, disputed fault, or complex negotiations can take a year or longer.
The best car accident attorneys should give you a realistic timeline based on similar cases they've handled. They should also explain what factors could speed up or slow down the process.
Ask Questions About Fees & Costs
Money should be completely transparent from the start.
What is your contingency fee percentage?
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win.
In Philadelphia, typical contingency fees range from 33⅓% to 40%. The percentage often increases if the case goes to trial because litigation requires significantly more work.
Make sure you understand exactly when and how the fee changes. Get it in writing.
How are case expenses handled?
Cases cost money beyond attorney fees.
You might need accident reconstruction experts, medical experts to testify about your injuries, investigators to find witnesses, and certified copies of medical records. Court filing fees add up if the case goes to litigation.
Some firms advance these costs and deduct them from your settlement at the end. Other firms require clients to pay costs as they arise. Some firms absorb small expenses but ask clients to approve larger ones.
Find out the firm's policy. Ask for examples of typical costs in cases like yours. Make sure you won't face surprise bills later.
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Injured in a Car Accident? Discuss Your Case With van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim and See If We're the Right Match
You deserve an attorney who has the experience, resources, and commitment to handle your case properly.
At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, we've built our reputation on results. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling every type of car accident case in Philadelphia, from straightforward rear-end collisions to complex multi-vehicle crashes involving serious injuries.
We take cases to trial when insurance companies won't offer fair settlements. We have the resources to hire top experts, conduct thorough investigations, and fight for maximum compensation. And we communicate clearly throughout the process, so you always know where your case stands.
We offer free case evaluations. Bring your documents, ask your questions, and see if we're the right match for your situation.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.