5 Tips for Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
August 7, 2024 | Sagi Shaked | Personal Injury
When you are injured, the path to justice and fair compensation can seem overwhelming. You may be struggling with medical appointments, insurance claims, mounting bills, and major changes to your life. Dedicating time and effort to hiring a personal injury lawyer you can trust is worth it so you can focus on what matters: getting better. Your lawyer will protect your rights, build your claim, and pursue compensation on your behalf.
If you have never hired a lawyer before, it can be tricky to know where to start. Here are five tips to help you choose the right personal injury lawyer to handle your case.
1. Evaluate The Lawyer’s Experience
Experience is one of the most important things to look for when choosing a personal injury lawyer. Look for an attorney with extensive experience handling similar cases.
Remember that personal injury is a broad area of law. It may cover anything from car accidents to unique areas of law like maritime law and medical malpractice.
Each type of case or area of personal injury law involves different legal statutes, theories of liability, and years of precedent. A personal injury lawyer who handles mostly traffic accident claims that are based on negligence may not be a good choice for a claim involving strict liability like product liability law.
Ask potential lawyers about their experience during the initial consultation. Don’t be afraid to ask how many cases they have handled that are similar to yours, whether they have taken cases like yours to court, and the results they have achieved.
2. Assess the Lawyer’s Track Record
Experience is crucial, but it’s important to weigh it against the attorney’s track record. A lawyer may have years of relevant experience but may not have a strong record of success. They may encourage clients to accept low settlement offers or lack the negotiation skills necessary to secure large settlements.
When considering a personal injury lawyer, ask questions about their past results.
- Do they have a record of success with wrongful death claims, catastrophic injuries, or other high-value cases?
- Have they achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts or settlements?
- Has the lawyer earned local, state, or national recognition for their results?
- How many cases have they taken to court?
- What is their success rate in court?
- What share of their wins are jury verdicts compared to settlements?
The lawyer’s track record won’t guarantee future results, but it does help you understand their capabilities and strengths.
3. Look For Effective Communication And Availability
Effective communication is a crucial skill for any personal injury lawyer. An attorney must have strong communication skills to foster a collaborative attorney-client relationship, negotiate with insurance companies, and present a persuasive case before a jury.
During your consultation, carefully consider the attorney’s communication style and approach. Are they approachable? Do they actually listen to you and seem empathetic? Do they make sure you understand important concepts and what to expect?
If you don’t feel comfortable with a lawyer’s style of communication, they are probably not a good fit for you. It may be hard to trust someone to handle your case if you do not feel comfortable with them.
Make sure the lawyer has the availability to take on your case. Ask if they will handle your case personally or someone else at the law firm. Will you be assigned a single point of contact? How will you receive updates about your case? Who should you call if you have questions?
4. Verify the Lawyer’s Reputation
Even with years of experience and a good track record, it’s still a good idea to look into a lawyer’s reputation. An attorney who has a good reputation in the legal community among peers is likely to be professional and skilled.
You can start with the Florida Bar Association. Check if the attorney has a history of complaints or disciplinary actions.
Next, look for reviews from their past clients. What past clients have to say may give you an impression of the lawyer’s communication style, approach to similar cases, competency, and more.
You can also look for any recognition, awards, or honors from peer groups, industry organizations, and media.
5. Ask About Fees and Payment Options
Make sure you understand the payment structure and how attorney’s fees work before hiring a lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees or a retainer. Instead, the attorney receives an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement if your case is successful.
Contingency fee arrangements are common, but they can vary in many ways. Ask if there are additional costs you should expect and when they need to be paid. Will you need to pay court costs and other expenses as they are incurred? Or will these fees also come out of your settlement?
Schedule a Free Consultation to Learn if a Personal Injury Lawyer Is Right for Your Case
After considering a lawyer’s experience, track record, and communication style, you will be ready to make an informed decision. Don’t be afraid to trust your instincts. It’s okay to keep looking if something doesn’t feel right or you simply are not comfortable with a lawyer handling your claim.
Once you make your decision and hire a lawyer, you will need to sign a binding agreement. Your lawyer will take over communications and begin building your case.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Miami, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami personal injury lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Ave Suite 715
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191