How Do I Choose the Best Chicago Boat Accident Lawyer?

Boating can be a fun, adventurous, and enjoyable experience. However, within minutes, it can become traumatic, dangerous, and devastating. Boating accidents may occur at any time for any reason, which can result in severe and life-threatening injuries, significant boat damage, and fatalities.

When this happens, you need a Chicago boat accident attorney by your side, guiding you through the legal process and helping you recover the compensation you deserve.

Finding the best Chicago boat accident lawyer can be challenging. The reason for this is because with one simple Google search, you will likely come across thousands of attorneys claiming to be experienced in boat accidents. In addition, there is a good chance that you have noticed commercials, billboards, and online ads of attorneys who say they handle boat accidents. While it is great that you have these lawyers and their information at your fingertips, you should conduct your own research to find the right lawyer for your case. Here are six steps to find the best Chicago boat accident attorney:

1. Check out websites: One of the first steps you want to take when you find potential attorneys that you like is to check out their websites. Almost every law firm has a website, which provides details about their team, experience, practice areas, and skills. By looking at websites, you can gain a more in-depth idea about the lawyer and whether you think they might be a good fit.
2. Ask family and friends for referrals: Another step that may be beneficial to you is to ask your family and friends for referrals. There is a possibility that someone in your family or group of friends has worked with an attorney who may handle boat accidents. They can tell you about their personal experience with working with the attorney, and you can decide whether to contact them based on their opinion.
3. Look at reviews and testimonials: You should always look at reviews and testimonials from previous or current clients. Most clients are completely honest about their experience working with an attorney and want others to see whether they recommend them or not. Therefore, if you notice that an attorney has excellent reviews and testimonials, you may want to move them to the top of your list.
4. Schedule consultations: Before deciding on an attorney, you cannot forget to schedule consultations. Most personal injury attorneys, including us, offer free consultations. A consultation helps your attorney understand what type of case you have and how they can assist you, but it is also an interview for you to determine whether that person is the right fit for your case. During the consultation, you should ask questions, such as how many years of experience do you have, do you handle boat accidents, what would you plan to do with my case, what is your success rate when it comes to similar cases, and more.
5. Make sure that their fees and payment method matches your expectations: One of the major steps to take is to make sure that the attorney’s fees and payment method matches your expectations. You can love an attorney, but if you cannot afford them, you will only waste yours and their time. Therefore, you must ask what their fees are and what type of payment method they expect. Some lawyers work on an hourly rate, while others work on a contingency basis. A contingency basis means that you will not owe anything until the lawyer wins your case, which is usually preferred as accident victims are financially struggling with being out of work and accumulating expensive medical bills. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis.
6. Ensure that they check all the boxes: Lastly, you may have one specific attorney in mind when it comes to your boat accident case. However, before ultimately choosing them, you want to ensure that they check all the boxes. For example, you want an attorney who you are comfortable speaking with, who you feel understands and respects you, and who you believe you can trust with handling your case. A boat accident should be taken seriously, which is why you need a qualified attorney who checks every single box of preferred qualities on your list.

When should I hire a Chicago boat accident attorney?

It is important to know that you have a limited amount of time to hire a boat accident attorney and file a claim. Therefore, the longer you wait to take legal action, the closer you may get to approaching the deadline. The following are a few situations when hiring a boat accident lawyer may be important:

• For a severe injury from a boat accident, you should hire an attorney and file a claim within two years.
• For a wrongful death from a boat accident, you should hire an attorney and file a claim within two years.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a boat accident in Chicago and need legal representation, Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers is ready and available to assist you. We have handled many boat accident cases over the last two decades, which means that we know how to handle these types of cases and obtain the best results possible for you. Our team has built a solid reputation among our clients, and we are known for being compassionate, understanding, and respectful throughout the entire legal process. To schedule your free consultation to meet our lawyers and begin discussing your case, please call our office or fill out our contact form today.