# How Can I Find a Good Car Accident Lawyer? > Looking for certain key qualities can help you determine whether or not a lawyer is right for you. Friends and family can be a great resource when looking for an auto-accident attorney. When looking for a lawyer, always make sure that they have the resources and experience you deserve. ## Before you hire: car accident questions answered > We handle car accident cases every day, hundreds of thousands and counting. Our team makes insurance companies pay every dollar you deserve, securing Michigan’s largest verdicts and settlements. ### Who will handle my case? - [Chris Filiatraut](https://www.855mikewins.com/meet-your-team/chris-filiatraut/): A trial lawyer for his entire 23-year career who has personally tried over 100 personal injury and No-Fault cases, with several of the largest trial verdicts in the state since joining the firm in 2010. - [Paul Wheatley](https://www.855mikewins.com/meet-your-team/paul-wheatley/): Litigation attorney on the firm’s $2,000,000 and $385,138 jury verdicts in auto accident cases. - [Matthew Bates](https://www.855mikewins.com/meet-your-team/matthew-bates/): Litigation attorney with the firm since 2008 who focuses on auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. Named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 in Michigan and a Super Lawyers Rising Star numerous times. - [Ali Bazzi](https://www.855mikewins.com/meet-your-team/ali-bazzi/): Focuses on auto negligence, handling both first- and third-party litigation. - [Javon Williams](https://www.855mikewins.com/meet-your-team/javon-williams/): Spent thirteen years defending personal injury lawsuits in automobile negligence, premises liability and dog bite claims before representing injured people. - [Daresha McCloud](https://www.855mikewins.com/meet-your-team/daresha-mccloud/): Has devoted her practice to representing people hurt in auto accidents, slip and falls and dog bites. ### What has the firm won? 26 published results in this practice, including 4 jury verdicts: - $8,300,000, car accident, Flint. A Flint client was severely injured in a car crash that resulted in her needing several surgeries and suffering permanent nerve damage. - $4,690,663, car accident, Oakland County - $4,600,000, wrongful death. An at-fault driver swerved to avoid rear-ending another vehicle, causing a fatal head-on collision with the client’s vehicle. - $3,765,815, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court, 2014. Head-on collision. Foot and ankle surgery, leg injury, low back injury. - $3,500,000, car accident, Oakland County - $2,000,000, auto accident, Oakland County, verdict, 2023. A jury verdict seven times the insurance company’s offer for a 28-year-old badly hurt in a White Lake Township crash. The at-fault driver claimed he blacked out; the firm found he had blacked out before, including four days earlier. - $1,939,097, car accident, Macomb County Circuit Court, 2014. The client’s car was sideswiped. Spinal injuries, back surgery, foot-drop. - $1,700,000, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court. Rear-end collision. Neck, back, shoulder. - $1,400,000, car accident, Macomb County Circuit Court. Rear-end collision. Severe lower back injury, anxiety and depression. - $1,397,067, car accident, Genesee County Circuit Court, 2015. T-boned by corporate vehicle. Spinal injuries with surgeries. - $980,000, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court. Rear-end collision. Lumbar fusion. - $940,788, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court, 2013. An illegal U-turn by a negligent driver. Low back surgery, neck injury, nerve damage, knee injury. - $900,000, auto accident, Wayne County. An arbitration award for a man with a herniated disk who opted not to have surgery after an automobile accident. - $890,500, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court. Rear-end collision. Neck, back, head. - $825,201, car accident, Washtenaw County Circuit Court, 2013. Negligent driver failed to yield. Lower back, left hip. - $809,902, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court. Rear ended by employer-owned vehicle. Lower back, left shoulder, neck. - $805,000, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court. A negligent driver crossed into the client’s lane, causing the client to crash into the median. Head, shoulders, spine. - $800,000, car accident, Oakland County, settlement. For a woman hit by a handyman going to work. She suffered a tri-malleolar ankle injury which required three surgeries. - $790,000, car accident, Wayne County Circuit Court, 2014. Negligent driver speeding and collided with car. Cervical spine fusion and surgical decompression. - $500,000, car accident, Oakland County, settlement. A third-party claim for a client who suffered a minor brain injury when a truck rear-ended him, against State Farm. Settled about two months before trial. - More than $460,000, no-fault benefits, verdict, 2016. A jury awarded every penny asked for plus interest against 21st Century Insurance, which had refused to pay no-fault benefits after a crash that led to surgery. - $425,000, car accident, Wayne County. For a man with multiple bulging disks after a rear-end crash that did little damage to his car. - $385,138, auto accident, Wayne County, verdict, 2022. Nearly four times the insurer’s highest offer, for a husband and father badly hurt when an uninsured drunk driver T-boned the van he was in. Other firms had turned the case down. - More than $100,000, car accident, Detroit, settlement, 2017. Two settlements for an EMT seriously hurt when a speeding pickup ran a red light, after his own insurance company refused to pay. - $75,000 plus sanctions, car accident, Wayne County, verdict, 2017. A unanimous jury verdict against Allstate, plus costs, sanctions and attorney fees for rejecting settlement before trial, putting the award well over $100,000. - $67,500, car accident, Oakland County. An arbitration award for a 16-year-old high school student left with a scar on his knee. ### What does it cost? Nothing up front and nothing unless we win. Your consultation is free. ### Can you help me anywhere in Michigan? Yes. We have 14 offices from Monroe to Marquette. Call (855) 645-3946 any time, day or night. Finding a good car accident lawyer is the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve, but it can often be quite difficult to tell if a lawyer deserves your time and trust. Looking for certain key qualities can help you determine whether or not a lawyer is right for you. ## How Can a Lawyer Help Me?   While it might be your instinct not to involve a lawyer in your case, in most circumstances an attorney is a great help. A lawyer can help you understand your rights after a car accident in addition to negotiating with your car insurance company and/or the negligent driver (and their insurance company) on your behalf as well as providing representation if your case goes to court. Insurance companies do not want to pay you anything beyond the bare minimum and they will employ every trick that they know to protect their own interests. Experienced lawyers like those at the [Mike Morse Law Firm](/meet-your-team/) understand how these businesses operate and will fight to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. For more information on how a car accident attorney can help you, check out [this article](/car-accident-lawyers/is-it-worth-hiring-a-car-accident-lawyer/). ## Referrals   Friends and family can be a great resource when looking for an auto-accident attorney. Unfortunately, because accidents are so common, it is very possible that someone you know has past experience with an attorney and can weigh in on their specific quality of service. Asking around can give you a great starting point in your search for a lawyer. ## Experience and Resources   A good car accident attorney is one who is prepared to handle your case. When looking for a lawyer, always make sure that they have the resources and experience you deserve. Hiring a lawyer who has worked with [cases like yours](/practice-areas/) before may make the entire process smoother, especially if your accident involved certain elements like a [drunk driver](/drunk-driving-accident-lawyers/) or [rideshare vehicle](/rideshare-accident-lawyers/uber-lyft-accidents/). Most law firms have a website that lists the [types of cases they specialize in](/practice-areas/) as well as [records of past successes](/michigan-injury-case-results/). A website can also help you get a sense of the [size of the firm](/meet-your-team/). Going against wealthy insurance companies is difficult and you’ll want to be sure that your team is up to the job. Large firms that have experience successfully handling cases similar to yours are more likely to know how to proceed and to be able to devote all the necessary resources to your case. ## Reputation and Accolades   Awards can help indicate that a lawyer has the respect of their peers and community. Organizations like National Trial Lawyers, [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/michael-j-morse-1483599), [Super Lawyers](https://profiles.superlawyers.com/michigan/southfield/lawfirm/mike-morse-injury-law-firm/8ac564c2-f3e6-43a5-907e-aa6a5ec97bef.html), and [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/48075-mi-michael-morse-753997.html) all offer resources to help you find a lawyer with a history of success. You can also look into an attorney’s involvement in the legal community. Speaking at events and attending conferences where they can teach and learn from other lawyers is a good sign that an attorney is trustworthy. For further information on an attorney’s character, investigate any charity work they’ve done. The best part of being a personal injury lawyer is helping other people. The selfless passion that drives a good lawyer to put their all into your case is often reflected in the way they treat others outside of the courtroom. ## Appropriate Fees   Reputable personal injury lawyers do not typically collect any fees until after they’ve won or settled your case. Hidden costs and other suspicious behavior around payment can be a sign that you should consider other options. ## Find Someone You’re Comfortable With   While websites and ads can help you learn a bit about a lawyer, talking to them yourself is often the best way to get a sense of their qualifications and work ethic. Most law firms offer [free consultations](/contact-us/) for this reason. Finding a lawyer that you trust is essential. Car accidents are emotionally and physically draining, the last thing you want is your lawyer making things more stressful. Meeting with a potential attorney can help you gauge your comfort level around them. ## Call us   At the [Mike Morse Law Firm](/), we constantly strive to be the best lawyers we can for our clients. Since our founding in 1995, we have collected over $2 billion for victims of [auto](/car-accident-lawyers/), [truck](/truck-accident-lawyers/), and [motorcycle accidents](/motorcycle-accident-lawyers/). Our clients are our first priority, and we work hard to ensure that they get the compensation they deserve with as little pain as possible. Call us today at 855-MIKE-WINS ((855) 645-3946) or [contact us through our website](/contact-us/) to set up a free consultation. --- Mike Morse Law Firm · (855) 645-3946 (24/7) · https://www.855mikewins.com/car-accident-lawyers/how-can-i-find-a-good-car-accident-lawyer/ You only pay when we win. This page is general information, not legal advice.