If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident, you should hire a personal injury attorney. But finding the right one for your case may be harder than it sounds.
Just because an attorney is licensed to practice in Florida doesn’t mean he or she is the best choice for representing you in your case. Choosing a personal injury attorney who can handle your case with compassion and expertise will increase your chances of winning. With that, let’s look at some of the important qualities that are found in good personal injury attorneys:
Experience. A brand new attorney will bring a considerable amount of energy and enthusiasm to your case. He or she may also be less expensive. All good things. However, what this attorney won’t have is experience. That includes trial experience, negotiation experience, and experience taking a potentially complex personal injury case through the entire process successfully on your behalf. Instead, you should seek a personal injury lawyer who specializes in the specific type of personal injury law for your case. If it’s medical malpractice, they must specialize in that particular tort. If you’ve been injured in a collision with a tractor-trailer, there are personal injury attorneys that know how to bring a claim against a trucking company and its driver. Again, when searching for a personal injury attorney, look for a firm that specializes. A good personal injury attorney will have areas of focus areas, such as product liability or premise liability.
A Track Record of Results. A solid personal injury attorney will be able to show you evidence of his or her results at trial and in settlement negotiations. Avoid law firms with high intake and high turnover (Hint: stay away from those firms that advertise every 30 minutes on TV with wacky ads!). Firms of this sort make money (mostly for themselves) by quickly settling with the insurance company or at-fault party to avoid the overhead of lengthy discovery and pretrial maneuvering. Their operating procedure is “one and done,” settling your claim for less than it’s worth to make a quick buck for themselves.
Settle, take their percentage, and move on to the next accident victim and victim of their marketing practices.
However, a good personal injury attorney won’t pressure you into settling your claim until you have the compensation you deserve. When you review their track record, you’ll be able to see how they’d treat you and your case.
A Fee Schedule You Understand. The majority of personal injury attorneys offer a contingency fee arrangement, so you shouldn’t see any hidden fees With a contingency case, a personal injury attorney won’t charge anything unless you win your case. Make sure you’re clear on how expenses are handles for things such as expert witnesses, court costs, filing fees, and the like. A good personal injury attorney will be frank and open about the practice’s fees and policies.
Solid Recommendations. The best personal injury attorneys will have positive reviews from clients on the internet and their website. If they don’t have any reviews, only a few reviews, or negative reviews, it’s a red flag. Read closely to see what former clients have said about the qualities you’re looking for in an attorney.
They Have Sufficient Bandwidth. This means they have the staff and the time to devote to your case. Even while you’re recovering, you’re busy. There are many other important things to occupy your time, such as medical treatment, rehabilitation, and other therapies, as well as trying to acclimate back to your regular life. You won’t have the time, energy, or resources to build your own case. A good personal injury attorney should relieve that stress and pressure from you. He or she will have a staff of professionals who will help coordinate the details of your case and update you on what they’re doing. Make sure the attorney has the staff and resources to take on your case, and that you won’t be a “one and done” as discussed earlier.
He or She Has Time for You. Good personal injury attorneys will make time for their clients and will meet with you at home or in the hospital. You shouldn’t be treated like a stranger when you call. You should be given a warm reception and not the brush off. Remember, you hired them, so they work for you.
Takeaway
The bottom line is how does this attorney make you feel? Do you feel confident, protected, and believe that he or she has your best interest at heart… and is willing to put them above their own? If so, and they check out with the qualities discussed above, you’ll have found yourself a good personal injury attorney, one who will protect your rights and advocate for your cause.
Contact Us
If you or a family member has been injured, it’s critical that you have an experienced personal injury attorney representing you. Speak to an attorney at Trentalange & Kelley P.A. Our personal injury litigators can counsel you and your family on the pros and cons of filing suit and going to trial versus seeking a settlement based on the specifics of your case. We will make you and your family feel confident and protected, and we will have your best interests at heart.
At Trentalange & Kelley P.A. in Tampa, Florida, we’ll help you with all of the issues to make certain that you’re successful in obtaining the compensation you and your family deserve. Call 813-226-1080 for a free consultation.
