Here is an old stereotype of auto accident attorneys being ambulance chasers. This means that for every person that gets into a car accident, there is always an attorney lurking around at the scene looking to sign them up as a client. This, of course, is a misconception and you should never hire anyone who offers unsolicited legal advice.
Just like you have the right to consult as many auto accident attorneys near you before settling on one, attorneys also have the right to do their due diligence to determine which car accident cases they want to take.
Below is a list of some of the elements the best auto accident attorney in Fall River, MA will look for before taking on your case.
Factors the Best Auto Accident Attorney in Fall River Considers Before Taking on a Case
Is It Early Enough to File an Auto Accident Lawsuit?
All auto-accident lawsuits have a timeline within which they should be filed. The deadline is dictated by the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in Massachusetts is three years from the date of the accident. To avoid facing sanctions from the court, most auto accident attorneys will turn down cases if the statutory deadline has passed unless you meet any one of the below exceptions:
- An injury you sustained wasn’t linked to or did not show up until years later after the accident
- The auto accident involved a minor. Massachusetts will allow the minor to reach 18 years old before the clock for the statute of limitations starts running.
- The auto accident resulted in the injured person being mentally incapacitated.
Is the Case Related to Their Area of Practice?
There is a misconception that any kind of lawyer can handle any kind of case. However, lawyers prefer to specialize in specific areas of the law. If you go to a divorce lawyer, they will obviously turn down your case and perhaps refer you to a lawyer that is capable of handling your case.
Another factor they might consider is the type of injury you sustained in your auto accident. They might, for example, take on your case if you suffered fractures but may not be confident to take on a case where the victim suffered a traumatic brain injury.
What are the Chances of Winning Your Case?
A credible auto accident attorney in Fall River will consider your case if:
- Liability is clear
- You suffered significant damages and/ or injuries
- You sought medical treatment in good time
- Your story sounds credible
