Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyers

Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyers: How to Hire the Right Construction Accident Attorney.

If you have been involved in a construction accident, you probably have questions about your legal options and rights. For instance, you may wonder whether you have a case for compensation, if you should hire a construction accident attorney, and how to find a qualified attorney for your claim/case. Our team of Atlanta construction accident lawyers at Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC can advise and guide you, and answer your questions so that you can make an informed decision. Remember, having an experienced and reputable lawyer by your side increases your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve.

Construction accidents are often much more complicated than other personal injury cases because there are typically many parties on a worksite, including employers, vendors, manufacturers, and other laborers.

Identifying these parties and their relationships with each other, their duties, and who may be liable for negligent acts takes a great deal of work and a firm understanding of the law. That is why most construction accident victims consult with a construction accident attorney before they decide how to proceed with their case. An experienced lawyer can help you untangle the web of liability and understand your legal options and rights.

However, the success of your case depends in part on your lawyer’s skill, determination, and willingness to fight for their clients. You need to choose a lawyer who not only is committed to your case but also has the right experience. Here is how you can find a good construction accident attorney to help you.

Decide What Kind of Lawyer You Need

Since construction accident cases are complex, you may want to do some thinking about your situation and what you need from your attorney. For example, what was your role in the accident?

If you are a worker or bystander injured on a construction site, you will need an attorney with a different set of skills and experience than if you’re the owner of a construction company. In most cases, injured workers and bystanders will be looking for a personal injury lawyer with experience in construction site accidents.

Additionally, if you’re a worker, whether or not your employer holds workers’ compensation insurance may influence your decision to hire one law firm over another. Some lawyers specialize in workers’ compensation claims and disputes, while others focus primarily on representing victims in cases with no workers’ comp insurance policies.

Review Their Credentials

Before you consult with a construction accident attorney, be sure to check their reviews on Google and Yelp. Attorney rating directories like Avvo and Super Lawyers are also a great place to look for reviews and ratings.

Additionally, make sure to visit their website. Most attorney websites include testimonials, a list of their services and areas of expertise, educational resources, and a list of notable verdicts and settlements.

Pay close attention to information that highlights their experience with construction accidents. While the website will obviously be designed to show the firm in the best light, visiting will give you some sense of their experience and professionalism.

Check That They Offer a Free Consultation

While you are reviewing the attorney’s website, look to see if they provide a free case consultation. Most accident lawyers offer case evaluations at no cost so that both parties can assess whether they are a good fit for one another.

If an attorney charges you for an initial consultation, that is usually a red flag. Offering free consultations is a fairly standard practice among Atlanta construction accident lawyers, so if a firm does not provide this service, it could be a sign that they are not as professional, experienced, or trustworthy.

Ask About Their Experience with Construction Accidents

A consultation is your best chance to evaluate your construction accident attorney. This is your opportunity to ask them about their experience with cases like yours. They should be able to give you a high-level overview of similar settlements and verdicts.

The right lawyer will also ask you questions about your case. They will use your responses to decide whether or not your case is a good match with their experience and specialization. They should also help you weigh your options for your next move and recommend resources for more information and support where possible.

Ultimately, trust your instincts. If something feels off during your consultation, it is perfectly acceptable to go with another law firm.

Ask for Referrals

Sometimes you only need to look in your close circle to find the best construction accident attorney. Ask for referrals from friends and family, and they may point you in the right direction. Preferably, ask someone who works in construction or a related field.

If you don’t have anyone to ask, you can also check with bar associations or the Better Business Bureau. They usually keep a list of qualified lawyers in your area that you could check out. Just be sure to do your research on any lawyer before hiring them for the best results.

Should I Hire a Construction Accident Attorney?

If you have been in an accident at a construction site, you have probably already encountered lots of medical and financial issues. Amid the chaos, you may be wondering, “should I have a lawyer?” The answer depends on your situation but is often yes. Below are some of the things to consider in hiring a construction accident attorney:

How Would a Construction Accident Attorney Help?

Having an experienced construction accident attorney on your side will help you by understanding how to file a civil suit and under what legal theories to bring the action, as well as help you with a workers’ compensation claim, if applicable.

A good construction accident attorney can help you recover losses resulting from your accident at work and reduce the amount of paperwork and hassle associated with your possible insurance, as well as legal claims. Hiring an attorney can make the difference between a justly resolved case and losing money caring for your injuries from the accident.

Experienced Atlanta construction accident lawyers can help you get compensation to cover any losses incurred due to the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and future medical needs. In addition, an attorney may help you and your family recover when a loved one is killed on a construction project in what is called a wrongful death case.

When to Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer

It is best to hire a construction accident lawyer early in the process to avoid costly mistakes. The deadline to file your accident claims varies from state to state. Because you may need to pay for medical bills and cover your lost wages, the sooner you contact an attorney the better. Generally, an injured worker should contact an attorney shortly after the accident occurs, within one to two weeks.

If a representative of your employer or an insurance company comes to you with a settlement offer, don’t sign it without first consulting with an attorney. The settlement may not be in your best interests, especially if you have more injuries or financial losses that aren’t accounted for in the offer.

Questions to Ask a Construction Accident Attorney

Many attorneys provide a free, no-obligation case review to determine if they can take your case. Before coming to speak with a prospective lawyer, you should have as much detailed information and facts about the construction accident and all of your injuries and financial losses as possible.

You should bring your employment contract or other paperwork, any pictures of the scene or your injuries, any medical records, any record of days you missed from work, among other things. These will help your attorney determine the merit of your case and the best first steps to take.

You want to find an experienced construction accident attorney who is well versed in the relevant state and national workplace safety, transportation, negligence, or product liability laws, knows how to deal with workers’ compensation, as well as insurance and health care companies, and knows how to effectively prepare and settle a case.

During this consultation, you should ask some preliminary questions to get to know the attorney and his or her experience, for example:

How long have you been practicing law? How long with construction accident cases?
What percentage of your practice is devoted to construction accident cases? How many construction accident cases have you handled? How often have they settled? Gone through litigation?
What is a typical settlement range for cases like mine?
What is your fee structure? What out-of-pocket expenses am I responsible for? These cases can be taken on contingency, which means if you don’t win, your lawyer gets nothing, but if you do win, you owe a specific amount, such as 30% to 40% to your lawyer.
Do you have any references?

If the lawyer’s office isn’t convenient for you, ask if your attorney can meet you at your home or closer to your home, such as at a satellite office close by. This can be particularly important if you’re still recovering in the hospital or rehabilitation facility when you decide to hire an attorney.

If you would like to make a workers’ compensation claim, contact your employer. If your injury was caused by a third party, you can file a claim in civil court for damages. However, before filing your claim, you should consult with an experienced compensation attorney to determine your best option moving forward.

Contact Us Today

If you’re looking for an experienced, dedicated, professional, and reputable construction accident attorney, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our team at Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC.

Our team of Atlanta construction accident lawyers has helped hundreds of construction accident victims protect their legal rights and pursue the compensation they need to recover from their injuries.