If you are injured and need a personal injury attorney, where do you begin? When seeking a personal injury lawyer to handle your case, it is essential to find an attorney that cares about you, your unique circumstances, and your family. There are several other important things to consider as well, and it can be overwhelming to sift through them to find the right attorney for you.
To help with this search, here are some recommendations on how to find the best personal injury attorney.
Seek an Experienced Lawyer
Finding an attorney with the experience to handle your case is essential. Attorneys tend to specialize in a particular type of law, like estate planning, criminal law, and real estate. Just as you would not hire a carpenter to build you a pool deck that only has experience with kitchen cabinets, you do not want to choose an attorney with no personal injury background.
A lawyer that practices in personal injury specifically, and has for many years, will have the contacts of experts and medical professionals to help you get treatment for your injuries and build your case. It is customary to ask how long the lawyer has been practicing personal injury law, so be bold and ask this question. It is important to find an attorney that has experience in getting clients the money they deserve.
Ask About Their Success Rate
The only recourse in a civil litigation case is monetary compensation for your injuries. The accident can’t be undone, and your injuries can’t be magically taken away. So you need an attorney with more than just experience taking on personal injury cases. You need an attorney with a good success rate.
While almost all personal injury claims are settled between the parties, sometimes, before a lawsuit is filed—but a few cases go to trial. It would be best if you had an attorney who has successfully negotiated settlements and litigated personal injury cases to a jury verdict. Don’t be afraid to ask the attorney what their success rate is. An attorney with a good rate will happily share it with potential clients.
Ask for Referrals
Almost everyone knows someone who has had a personal injury or workers compensation case, so ask friends and family for referrals to find a lawyer they had a good experience with. Getting referrals helps you develop a list of lawyers to interview. Of course, if someone had a bad experience with a lawyer, this is valuable information as well. You can immediately cross them off the list and move on to the next prospect.
Work on Contingency
Reputable personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning when you get paid, so do the attorneys. They’ll take their fee from what they recover on your behalf. This also means if you lose your case, you owe the attorney nothing regarding fees.
Choose Someone You Connect With
A personal injury case can be a long journey to regaining your health and getting a fair settlement. This journey will have ups and downs, and you’ll want to feel good about your conversations with your lawyer. It would be best if you had an attorney that listens to you, answers your questions, and explains things in a way you understand.
A Professional Office
There are many moving parts to a personal injury case with many deadlines that need to be met to keep settlement negotiations going or to comply with court demands. A professional office suggests that lawyers have the processes to do their job effectively. Choose a lawyer who has an organized office with files adequately stored.
Interview Several Lawyers
Talking to multiple lawyers will help you choose one that fits your individual needs. Compare them based on their experience, costs, and office environment.
When looking for a personal injury attorney in Central Florida, you want to work with an experienced team like the Lopez & Humphries, PA, team that understands these cases. You may be entitled to fair compensation for your injuries.
Call our experienced team at 863-709-8500, or fill out our contact form. We can set you up with a time to speak with our lawyers during a free consultation and determine the best course of action based on your situation.