Every year in the United States, approximately 25.5 million people visit emergency rooms because of unintentional injuries. Many of these occur because of accidents such as car crashes, slips and falls, and workplace incidents.
If someone else was responsible for the injuries you’ve suffered, though, one of the legal options you have is to file a claim for compensation. Of course, personal injury claims are complex procedures, and they shouldn’t be pursued without legal representation.
Choosing the right lawyer to take on your case can seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to look for and what to expect from the legal process. The following tips will get you on the right track toward selecting the most appropriate counsel for your claim:
Know What Lawyer You Need
People often think that personal injury lawyers are well-versed in all areas of tort law, but that’s not always the case. Lawyers who primarily work on car accident claims may not have the experience necessary to handle medical malpractice claims, for example, because of the different legal requirements involved in the latter.
Therefore, before looking for a Florida attorney, you must pinpoint the kind of counsel you need. Even if one firm advertises that they handle certain types of claims, ensure that they have actively worked on those cases recently.
Ask About Experience
One of the first things you need to do upon narrowing down your list of potential choices is to determine the years of experience each one has. You should only trust your claim to legal teams that have been working in Florida in the field you’re dealing with for a substantial amount of time.
Ask about their experience with claims similar to yours as well. If you’ve been in a car accident involving multiple parties, the lawyer should know how to tackle such a case. Not only will that make the case easier for everyone, but it will also ensure that they have expert witnesses they can rely on, seeing as they’ve worked with them before.
That’s particularly important in medical malpractice cases, in which your attorney may need various medical experts to corroborate claims dealing with all illnesses and injuries.
Understand Their Track Record
Alongside experience, find out about the kinds of results your prospective legal team has gotten for their clients. Sometimes, people assume that just because an attorney has achieved favorable settlements, they’re the right choice. What you may not always realize, however, is that some attorneys boost their numbers by quickly settling cases for less than their full worth.
By asking about the kinds of settlements your potential choice in counsel has been able to get clients, you can get a sense of whether they truly fight for the greatest compensation. If you see low numbers and no cases that have gone to court, that can be a sign of lawyers who choose to settle quickly. That’s not what you want, especially when you’ve suffered serious injuries.
Check for Disciplinary Records
The lawyer you hire should have a clean record. To know if that’s the case, you can check the statewide disciplinary record system through the Florida Bar’s Attorney Consumer Assistance Program. If you see any kind of mark on their record, choose another attorney.
Know Each Law Firm’s Size And Available Resources
It can be tempting to go for very big and popular law firms, but they may not represent the best choices in all instances. Larger firms might not be able to provide the individualized attention your case deserves, and the percentage they charge for their services could be higher as well.
At the same time, very small firms may not have the resources necessary to help your claim succeed. They may not have enough contacts among expert witnesses or be able to afford the most respected ones.
Most of the time, the right choice is a law firm that is large enough to have the necessary connections yet not so large that you have to wait weeks just to come in for a consultation.
Read Client Testimonials And Reviews
You can find testimonials on most law firm websites. Although lawyers carefully select these and will always be positive, you can still glean crucial information from them. For one thing, you can learn about whether the attorney offers compassionate assistance and provides the comprehensive services that clients need.
Full reviews tend to be more helpful, and you can find these on third-party sites. They’ll give you an unbiased look at what the lawyer offers and what you can expect from their services. Seeing one or two negative reviews isn’t a deal-breaker, of course, but if the majority of comments are negative, that’s not a lawyer you should choose.
Schedule A Consultation
By now, you should have two or three choices. If you can’t narrow things down any further, schedule a consultation with each attorney. These initial consultations are free and will allow you to get to know the lawyer and ask questions about the process.
It’s helpful to prepare some more specific questions for the consultation. Some to consider asking include:
- Have you recently settled or litigated a case similar to mine?
- Will you be working on my case, or will you delegate it to someone else?
- Are there any upfront fees?
- How often will we communicate on the case?
- Do you think we’ll go to trial?
Pay attention not just to the answers the lawyer provides but to the way they answer, too. Are they dismissive of your concerns, or do they take your worries seriously? Do you feel comfortable asking questions, or do you think you’re annoying the attorney? Personal injury claims are complex and can take time, so you should feel at ease speaking with the lawyer.
Most importantly, make certain that you know what you’ll need to pay and when you’ll need to pay it. Reputable personal injury lawyers work on contingency, which means they won’t require any upfront fees. Ensure that you know what percentage of a settlement or jury award the attorney will receive.
Begin Your Claim With An Experienced Lawyer
The attorney you choose to work with can make or break your claim, which makes your decision something you should not take lightly. Read up on the options you’re considering and schedule a consultation to get a sense of their personality and how they work. Above all, go with your instincts; if you don’t feel fully at ease with the lawyer, choose another one.
With the help of a qualified and dependable Florida personal injury lawyer, you can receive the assistance that you deserve after suffering injuries because of someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct. Contact Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 787-2500 to learn more about how our team can be the best choice for you. We offer a free consultation.
