The lawyer you choose can make a significant difference in your case’s outcome. Before hiring an attorney, you should learn about their communication style and frequency, their results for previous clients, and their commitment to client service and support. All of these factors can help you make a well-informed decision.
Finding the best personal injury lawyer can include asking for recommendations and referrals and requesting a consultation with a potential law firm. A good Boca Raton personal injury lawyer will accept your case on contingency and help you fight for the financial recovery you need and deserve. With their legal guidance and support, you may recover your lost wages, medical records, pain and suffering, and more.
How a Free Consultation Can Help You Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
When you speak to a representative of a law firm during your initial consultation, they will ask to hear your story. They will listen patiently and with compassion and respect. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions that can help you make an informative decision about which attorney to hire, including:
- How will you prove I have a valid personal injury claim?
- What evidence does my case need?
- Who will handle evidence collection?
- How long might it take to reach a settlement agreement?
- How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
- Will you deal with the insurance company for me?
- How much do you charge for legal representation?
Your consultation can help you get answers to these important questions and learn more about a potential lawyer, their support staff, and the advantages they bring to the table.
How Client Reviews and Case Results Can Help You Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
Reviews and recommendations from previous clients offer a unique and personalized insight into the way a lawyer works, communicates, and supports their clients. They offer social proof and can help you understand a lawyer’s view of client relationships.
Looking at a personal injury law firm’s previous case results can also help you understand their track record and how hard they fight for their clients’ best interests.
While case results are not a guarantee of the compensation you will recover, they indicate a law firm’s ability to fight for financial recovery for its injured clients. The damages you can seek in a personal injury claim include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and earning ability
- Property damage or loss
- Impairment and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
The best personal injury lawyers know that each of these categories can have hidden damages and will identify each of them before your case goes to the settlement negotiation phase.
Medical bills, for example, include prescriptions, assistive devices, etc. Property damage includes diminished value for property that is repairable but does not retain its pre-accident resale value.
The Best Personal Injury Lawyers Let You Focus on Getting Better
Catastrophic injuries can require prolonged recovery times. The lawyer you choose will work with your medical team to understand the importance of your recovery and document your known and anticipated medical care. While you focus on recovering your health, your legal team can focus on:
- Conducting a thorough investigation
- Gathering supportive evidence
- Compiling official records and reports
- Consulting subject matter experts
- Locating and interviewing eyewitnesses
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company for a fair settlement
Personal injury cases rarely go to trial. However, if your case does, your lawyer will prepare your evidence and exhibits and argue your case before a fact finder (judge or jury). Choose a lawyer who will not hesitate to represent you in court if an acceptable settlement agreement is not forthcoming.
Choose an Attorney With a Great Support Team and Staff
The law firm you choose should bring a pool of resources and team members in addition to a team of experienced lawyers to the table. The lawyer you choose should have office staff members who are kind, compassionate, responsive, and supportive, so you can get all the help you need during a difficult time.
Choose a Lawyer With a No-Fee-Unless-We-Win Policy
When a personal injury lawyer accepts your case on a contingency fee basis, it indicates their belief in the merits and potential outcome of your case. They will cover all the fees associated with building the strongest possible case for you, including:
- Court filing fees
- Deposition expenses
- Discovery costs
- Expert consultations
- Investigation costs
- Mediation costs
- Fees for obtaining evidence
Contingency fee representation means you only compensate your attorney when they recover damages for you. It also means you will not owe any fees if you do not obtain a financial award.
The Best Personal Injury Lawyers Are on Top of Florida Laws That Impact Your Case
Florida, like all U.S. states, has a statute of limitations that defines the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit after an accident. In Florida, a 2024 change in law decreased the allowable time period, making it crucial that your lawyer is aware of this recent change and its impetus to prepare and file your lawsuit on time.
You generally have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. Additional complications to the filing deadline include:
- Florida Statutes § 95.051, which names several exceptions to the statute of limitations
- Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1), which gives you six months to provide written notification of the intent to seek compensation from a government or municipal agency
You do not have to manage the notification and filing deadlines your case requires alone. Your lawyer will handle it for you and avoid the costly consequences of filing your lawsuit too late.
Get Help Finding the Best Florida Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Claim
If you or someone you love was hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
Find out how a no-cost, no-obligation consultation can help you find the best personal injury lawyer to represent you. Contact one of our team members today to learn more about the difference Ged Lawyers can make.
