Biloxi is a beautiful Gulf Coast city full of culture and activity. It is popularly known for its rich history, but the locals may also know it for something that the city doesn’t want to advertise: car accidents.
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Car accidents are common in any area with a lot of commuter traffic and tourism, with distracted visitors taking a look at the beautiful Mississippi sound, rather than paying attention to their lane merging or the speed limit signs posted along the roadside. Add in high winds from incoming storms or narrow, sandy roads, and you may be in for a surprise next time you are driving down the beach roads of beautiful Biloxi, MS.

If you have been involved in a car accident, you may find yourself wondering what comes next. What should I look for in a car accident attorney? Do I even need an attorney, or should I go through the claim process on my own? What about the other driver – if they file a suit against me, what should I do?

These are not questions you want to be asking yourself when you are in the beachside resort’s parking lot, but the crushed car fender in front of you has different ideas of vacation fun.

In this article, you will learn the answers to these questions and many other common questions about the legal process involved in filing a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy.

The Wetzel Law Firm is the premier choice for Biloxi car accidents, whether you live here or are visiting the seaside town. The Wetzels have helped represent hundreds of Gulf coast natives over their 35 years of service, and as personal injury lawyers, they know everything there is about car accidents, from minor bumps and dings to fatal crashes. 

What Should I Look for in a Car Accident Attorney?

Like many people, you likely have not spent a lot of time thinking about what attorney you would hire if you ever got into a car accident. Even less likely if you are on vacation in Biloxi, as most of your thoughts were on the cultural tours and beachside amenities. So, the question still stands: what should you look for in a car accident attorney? How do you know if they are a good fit for your case?
There are several things you can look for, and these qualifications can change depending on the details of your accident as well as any personal preferences you might have. Below is a brief list that describes several key things you should look for when working with a Biloxi car accident attorney:
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• Has Practical Experience

Your lawyer should have practical experience in their field with plenty of client testimonials and references. The longer they have been practicing personal injury law, the better for your case. You should make sure that they have a high success rate in both trial cases as well as settlements that never went to trial.

• Cares About Your Case

When you think about hiring a lawyer, money might be a concern. Fortunately, many lawyers take car accident cases on a contingency basis, meaning they do not make any money on the case until you receive a settlement. Not only does this help incentivize them to help you get the most money out of your case, but it also shows that they care about making sure you receive good legal representation, even if you are not able to afford an hourly retainer.

• Good Client References

Good client references are a must in finding the right personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer might not be able to reveal identifying information under their client confidentiality policy, but they should still be able to provide minimal case details and whether the client received a positive verdict or agreeable settlement.  

• Will Take Your Case to Trial if Necessary

Some lawyers have never seen the inside of a courtroom, and that can hurt your settlement amount. If insurance companies know that your lawyer is afraid of or will not take a case to trial, they will negotiate the settlement as low as possible to avoid paying out what you deserve. Lawyers who are willing to represent you in a trial, however, often have a higher success rate at getting the maximum settlement possible for your case, often without ever having to bring the case to court.

• Specializes in Personal Injury Law

You should look for a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law. Personal injury law and can be difficult to navigate, and do-it-all lawyers who write wills, handle criminal cases, and file divorces all under the same roof will not provide the same legal power and competency as a specialized personal injury lawyer will. You deserve to get the most compensation for your case so you can relax on the beach sooner, not get frustrated over missed paperwork and poor filing.

• Has a Positive Track Record

In addition to asking for client testimonials or case results, you should always ask whether your lawyer has a good track record. (1)

“Research different attorneys online. Make sure they are licensed and in good standing in the state where the accident occurred.”

• Enjuris

​Do not be afraid to ask hard questions, such as whether they have ever been suspended from practice. As a potential client, you have a right to know and vet your lawyer accordingly.

What Questions Should I Ask An Attorney for a Car Accident in Biloxi?

A car accident is an emotionally trying time for many people, even when there are no injuries involved. If you add moderate to severe injuries or fatalities into the mix, you might be surprised at the emotions that bubble up when talking to the insurance company.
 
How Will the Lawyer Represent You?
Asking this question will help you learn more about how your lawyer works and helps set expectations in the beginning. Likewise, this is an important question if you suspect the case may turn into a lawsuit. Some attorneys will not represent you in a trial and will try to get a settlement without the case going to court. This will typically result in a lower settlement, but less legal hassle.
 
Who Will Be Representing You?
Larger law firms may use one lawyer to conduct the initial consultation, while your case may be handled by someone different. If you feel comfortable with the lawyer who you spoke with, you do not want a fresh, inexperienced lawyer handling your personal injury case.
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Always make sure that the lawyer conducting the consultation is the lawyer who will be handling your case and conducting negotiations with the insurance company.
 
How Often Will the Lawyer be in Contact with You?
If you expect your lawyer to be in contact with you every day but they call once a week or less, then you might find yourself wondering if they are working on your case at all. A lawyer’s job involves a lot of communication with insurance companies, health insurance providers, the police department, and any other parties involved in the car crash. These negotiations may take a lot of time, and your lawyer may not be in contact with you as much as you would like.

Setting expectations during the initial consultation for how often your lawyer will be in contact with you will help settle any worries about the process.
 
What Should You Do to Protect Your Case?
There are several things you can do to help protect your case. This is dependent on the circumstances of your accident, but many lawyers will advise you not to make any statements to the other driver’s insurance company until they have had time to gather more information. You may need to file certain notices or requests to make sure you are following the legal process.

While your lawyer can help you file the paperwork, they cannot file under your name, so there are several things you will have to sign off on. Knowing about these files and notices ahead of time will help you prepare for the legal process to come. 
 
How Will You Pay Them?
While no one likes talking about money, it makes the world go round and keeps food on everyone’s table. You should discuss with your lawyer how they expect to be paid. 

“Lawyers generally charge one of three ways: by the hour, a one-time flat fee or by contingency (percentage of the amounts recovered). Not every fee structure is permitted for every legal situation. For personal injury cases, most lawyers charge a contingency fee.”

• Robert Bovarnick

​Lawyers work on several different fee structures for various legal problems, as one legal problem might make sense for one type of payment, while others might not fit under that structure. (2)

Is it Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Car Accident in Biloxi?

It is important to understand that the other driver’s insurance is interested in paying you as little money as possible in the settlement, so they will attempt to offer low and may bully you into taking the offer. The representatives on the other side of the phone are people, and they may genuinely care about their case, but they are acting under their company rules and may be expecting a fight.
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Mix this into the fact that you may be in the hospital instead of on the beachside while this is happening, and you may find your temper flaring. (3)

“Your attorney will be able to organize the evidence and prepare a settlement demand letter for the insurance company. If you are unable to settle your accident case, your attorney can take care of filing the necessary paperwork to start a court case and can deal with the defense attorneys on your behalf.”

• All Law

A lawyer can help you take care of any legal proceedings and gather any necessary evidence, handling the case so you can focus on recovering sooner.
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If you are looking for a car accident attorney, an excellent reason to hire on is the peace of mind provided knowing that your legal case is handled professionally. There will be no surprise fees or lowball offers from the insurance company that a lawyer cannot handle, while it can be much more difficult for you to handle these situations on your own, especially if you are hospitalized following the accident. 

How Long Does a Car Accident Claim Take?

A car accident claim can take a few weeks to settle, or it can take a few years. On average, a car accident claim that resulted in minor injuries to one person takes less than a couple of months to settle, generally for an amount in the few thousand dollars to help compensate for lost time and hospitalization. This can, of course, extend into a year or more timeline depending on the complexity of the accident.
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For example, in situations where you were struck by a drunk driver, legal proceedings may take longer and this can delay your claim settlement, as the insurance company must comply with the local authorities and they may be waiting on legal processing from the police department to continue their investigation, temporarily placing the settlement case on pause.

Especially in cases where the claim endsin a lawsuit or must be taken to trial, it is common for the insurance company to seek out new ways to delay the verdict as long as possible. The longer a trial goes on, the more difficult it can be to prove a settlement case, and the better chance they have at negotiating the sum down as the client gets more desperate to receive the money.

This is a well-known tactic that many lawyers are aware of and, by choosing a competent lawyer willing to take your case to court when necessary, you can ensure that you have the best chance at success in the shortest time possible.

If a case drones on, do not get worried about whether you will receive your settlement or not. Legal proceedings can take time to clear, and your lawyer is just as invested in getting justice for your case as you are. Do not be afraid to ask clarifying questions, and have your lawyer explain different legal terms and reasons behind situations to you.  

How Long Do You Have to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident in Biloxi?

It is a good idea to look for a lawyer as soon as possible, though there is no limit to how long you wait to hire a lawyer. If your accident is minor and no hospitalization was required, you may choose to handle the case on your own without the help of a car accident attorney.

If you have been severely injured and are actively searching for a lawyer, you may refuse to give the insurance company a statement, as anything you say can be used against your case. This may only be defensible for a few days, as a statement is often necessary as a part of the insurance’s investigation.

The statute of limitations for lawsuits is governed by the state, not the city where the accident occurred. In the state of Mississippi, you have until three years after the date of the accident to file a suit, assuming you have not accepted any offers or signed a release form.
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You may hire a lawyer for advice at any point before or after this statute of limitations, but after the three-year mark, you are barred from taking any action against the other driver or their insurance.

Contact the Wetzel Law Firm Today

Have you been injured in a car accident in Biloxi, MS? You are entitled to compensation for the cost of your injuries, emotional trauma, and lost time at work. To get the most out of your settlement claim, it is important to hire a lawyer who can confidently handle your case and has a proven track record of success.

The Wetzel Law Firm has been handling personal injury cases on the Gulf Coast for over 35 years and has a consistent success rate of over 95%, making them the top-rated choice for residents in Biloxi and surrounding MS cities.
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A car accident can turn your life upside down in a single day. Whether you were on the way to work or visiting the beach for a fun getaway, you deserve justice. Book a consultation today with the Wetzel Law Firm and let us take care of the legal paperwork and stressful insurance negotiations so you can focus on recovering sooner.  

References:

1. Enjuris, How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer, https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law/finding-personal-injury-attorney.html
2. Robert Bovarnick, How to Hire a Lawyer, https://www.forbes.com/2008/10/08/hiring-legal-help-ent-law-cx_rb_1008bovarnickhire.html#1e7e22e48d9a
3. All Law, When to Lawyer Up after a Car Accident, https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/auto-accident/attorney-car-accident-case.html