Squealing brakes. Shattering glass. Shrieking metal. Another Denver car accident. Lawyers represent many people injured in vehicle accidents, even those that occurred at low speeds. Beyond injuries, there was likely substantial property damage. Some people refrain from seeking the advice of an auto accident lawyer. In Denver, poor weather and treacherous roads lead to accidents every day. Accidents can cause serious injuries and property damage and legal expertise is required to address the issues. There are a few things to look for in an auto accident lawyer in Denver.

Friend and family recommendations may be well intended but should be taken with a grain of salt. Personal recommendations are more valuable when given by someone who has actually used the lawyer in a legal matter similar to yours.

A better course of action is to go to your state or county bar association's lawyer referral service. In Colorado, there is the Colorado Bar Association (CBA) Find-A-Lawyer service. CBA members can be located by practice area, location or name. For individuals needing help in evaluating a case and finding the right lawyer, The Denver Bar Association recommends the Metropolitan Lawyer Referral Service, http://www.mlrsonline.org.

Locating a specialist within a certain region, such as an auto accident lawyer in Denver, requires the evaluation of many factors. When interviewing Denver car accident lawyers, consider asking:

• In what areas of law do they specialize?

• Have they handled similar cases before? If so, how many and what were their outcomes?

• Who will handle the case? If not just the attorney being interviewed, then who else?

• How much input does a client have in how the case is handled, especially regarding the question of whether to settle or pursue a trial?

• What is your record with the state ethics committee?

Do not neglect to ask about attorneys' fees and costs. The American Bar Association recommends that before a lawyer is retained, their fee structure should be fully understood, including:

• The method used to calculate fees

• What expenses beyond attorney's fees are clients responsible for

• An estimate of the total fees and expenses

Potential clients also have the right to inquire as to how long the legal matter will likely take to complete but need to be aware that attorneys cannot provide exact figures on the number of hours of work involved in any case. Finally, communication between the lawyer and the client is vitally important. If a client feels any information provided by the attorney is not clear, they should immediately discuss it with the lawyer to curtail any misunderstandings.

Taking the time to evaluate an attorney pays off in a better case outcome. So, before hiring a lawyer, ask all the necessary questions. After hiring a Denver car accident lawyer, keep the lines of communication open.