Find a Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether you are looking for legal advice or need to hire a lawyer to manage your personal injury claim, you want to find a personal injury lawyer who can help you receive fair compensation for the total value of your damages. But how do you know which law firms you can trust? Below are some recommendations on what you should look for in a personal injury attorney.
Find a Lawyer That Practices Personal Injury Law
Every lawyer has a different set of skills and expertise. A lawyer who practices bankruptcy, divorce, tax, or criminal law does not necessarily have experience handling personal injury cases. They may not have a robust understanding of personal injury laws in Florida and they may not be prepared to handle the unforeseen challenges of a personal injury case.
A personal injury lawyer is adept at the following:
- Navigating through the complex legal system
- Empathizing with your particular experiences, frustrations, and concerns
- Understanding the intricate details of personal injury law
- Communicating with insurance companies to negotiate a settlement
- Preparing for unexpected issues that may arise in your case
- Guiding you through the legal process from start to finish
A dedicated personal injury attorney is more likely to understand the nuances of personal injury cases.
Do Your Homework to Find the Right Personal Injury Attorney
There are several ways that you can search for the right lawyer, such as:
Getting References from Friends and Family
Ask around for references. Start with your friends, family, or coworkers. Be sure to ask detailed questions based on your needs. Otherwise, you may not get the answers you are looking for. Ask someone why they would recommend a lawyer and what attributes the person liked and did not like.
Looking for Customer Reviews Online
Try to find reviews that are fair, balanced, and personal. Also, look for reviews that provide details, not just general statements. Good reviews can come from many different sources, including review sites, social media, the law firm’s website, and other reputable sites.
Checking the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau has been around for years and provides thorough, vetted, and useful customer reviews online. The BBB website also provides details about companies that you may not find anywhere else.
Find Out Who Will Be Handling Your Case
Before you hire a lawyer, make sure that the lawyer you hire is actually the lawyer who is taking on your case. When you speak with the attorney, make sure that they will personally oversee your case and communicate with you regularly.
A Florida or West Palm Beach personal injury attorney may have a legal team or a staff that handles all the office work and performs many of the administrative responsibilities. An attorney who takes a personal interest in your case and works with you one-on-one will help you have a better experience as you pursue a fair settlement or judgment.
Ask for a Breakdown of Personal Injury Attorney Legal Fees
Understand the law firm’s pricing structure and fees before hiring the attorney. Lawyers typically set up the following types of fee structures:
Contingency Fee
The firm bases its contingency fee on a percentage of the amount that you are awarded. If you receive no compensation, the lawyer gets nothing. However, you may still have to pay other fees outside of the contingency fee.
Hourly Fee
Your law firm may work for many hours or weeks managing your case. The legal team may gather evidence, speak with witnesses, file paperwork, organize documents, and correspond with all parties. Therefore, your lawyer may charge an hourly fee for different types of work or services they perform while building your case and getting you a settlement.
Expenses Associated with Your Case
In addition to an hourly fee, there may be other costs associated with your case that your lawyer will charge you for. Costs may include hiring expert witnesses, filing fees, court fees, or other material costs.
Your lawyer should be transparent and clear about their pricing structure and fee schedule. You should know precisely what you are paying for and why it is valuable to your case.
Find Out About the Personal Injury Attorney’s Experience
A Fort Myers personal injury attorney needs to have both negotiating and trial experience. While most personal injury cases are settled off out of court, your lawyer also needs to know how to present your case in front of a judge or jury. The insurance company may refuse to settle, and you want the benefit of having a strong advocate in your corner if your case goes to trial.
Your attorney also needs to have extensive experience handling cases similar to yours. Personal injury cases can involve a wide range of accidents, such as:
- Auto accidents
- Slip and fall
- Workplace accidents
- Dog bites or animal attacks
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Boating or aircraft cases
Always ask how much experience the lawyer has represented victims of accidents similar to yours, and what their track record is regarding those cases.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer in South Florida Today
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer Fort Lauderdale to take on your case, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato. We treat our clients like family and take a personal interest in each and every case. We will work on a contingency-fee-basis while we take on the insurance company and pursue a fair settlement for your injuries, lost wages, or other damages. Call us today at 954-633-8270 to get a free case review.
