If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by negligence, you can seek financial compensation from the at-fault party. You do not have to fight to recover damages on your own. The personal injury attorney you choose can make an important difference in your case. These eight questions to ask a personal injury lawyer can help you find the right legal representation for you.
Ask questions about your rights, the at-fault party’s liability, the timeline of your case, and each step of the financial recovery process. To find the right fit, you should also ask questions about a lawyer’s communication style and fee structure. A Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can take on the at-fault party and their insurance company and pursue fair compensation at no upfront cost to you or your family.
Ask a Potential Attorney to Clarify Your Rights as the Injured Party
If another person’s negligence caused your accident and injuries, you may have the following rights:
- The right to use your Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage (depending on your case)
- The right to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit
- The right to recover financial compensation, even if you were partially at fault, per Florida Statutes § 768.81
A local attorney can help you understand your rights and the steps they will take to protect them. Ask about the serious injury threshold and how your lawyer can help you seek compensation beyond PIP’s limitations.
Ask a Lawyer About Your Potential Financial Compensation and Damages
After a negligence-based accident, you may have the right to compensation that includes the following economic damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehab and therapy bills
- Past and future losses of income
- Loss of future earning ability
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished property value
You can also recover non-economic damages for these intangible losses:
- Disability and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Loss of the enjoyment of life
A Florida wrongful death lawyer can also help you seek damages for the loss of a loved one, including funeral and burial expenses and loss of financial support. Ask your lawyer questions about recovering damages and the specific value of your claim.
Ask the Lawyer Questions About the At-Fault Party’s Financial Liability
Florida law gives you the right to compensation if another person’s negligence harmed you or claimed the life of a loved one. However, you must establish the legally required elements of negligence, including:
- Duty of care: The liable party’s legal obligation to protect your safety
- Breach of duty: Their failure to meet their legal and reasonable duty
- Causation: The connection between their actions and your accident
- Damages: The financial and non-financial losses you suffered due to the accident
Ask your personal injury lawyer about the steps they will take to prove these elements and collect the evidence your case needs.
Ask Your Attorney About the Personal Injury Evidence Collection Process
Collecting evidence is a crucial part of your injury claim since it tells the story of the accident and its financial aftermath. A comprehensive evidence collection can contain a wide range of materials, including:
- Medical records
- Written prognosis
- Salary history records
- Accident report
- Injury photos
- Video footage
- Accident scene photos
- Witness statements
- Expert testimonials
Your injuries could prevent you from collecting evidence. Ask your injury lawyer about their investigative team and the steps they will take to recover the evidence your claim needs.
Ask Your Lawyer How Long it Will Take to Resolve Your Personal Injury Claim
Every personal injury claim will have a unique timeline. Understanding the potential timeline of your case from the start can ease stress. Ask questions about the factors that define the timeline and how frequently your lawyer will provide informative updates on the progress of your case.
Ask Your Attorney How Much Time You Have to File a Lawsuit
The personal injury statute of limitations is complicated and can be difficult to understand and comply with alone. Florida’s filing deadline was reduced in 2024 and can fluctuate based on factors outlined in Florida Statutes § 95.051.
In general, you have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. If a government entity was involved in your case, you have six months from the injury date to present your claim in writing, according to Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1).
Ask your lawyer about the steps they will take to help you decipher the appropriate statute of limitations and meet all notification and filing deadlines.
Ask Your Lawyer if They Will Deal With the Insurance Company for You
Your case will mean dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company (or yours) repeatedly. A lawyer can:
- Manage all verbal and written communication
- Respond to requests for information and evidence
- Complete and submit insurance claim forms
- Negotiate for a fair and appropriate settlement
Ask the personal injury firm you are considering hiring how they will manage the insurance company and protect you from a speedy but insufficient settlement and bad faith insurance tactics.
Ask Your Attorney About Their Personal Injury Case Fee Structure
Ask your potential lawyer about their experience in handling personal injury insurance claims and litigation. Personal injury lawyers represent various clients injured in a wide range of accidents. For example, they may represent you as a:
- Florida car accident lawyer
- Florida truck accident lawyer
- Florida boating accident lawyer
- Florida defective product lawyer
- Florida bus accident lawyer
- Florida pedestrian accident lawyer
- Florida construction accident lawyer
- Florida motorcycle accident lawyer
- Florida premises liability lawyer
- Florida slip-and-fall injury lawyer
Most personal injury law firms serve their clients on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all if you do not receive compensation.
Get a Free Review of Your Personal Injury Claim
If another person or entity’s negligence injured you or someone you love, you could be entitled to financial compensation. The personal injury lawyer you choose can build a strong case and fight for the financial recovery you need and deserve.
We are happy to answer any questions you would like to ask a personal injury lawyer. Get started now by contacting our team at Ged Lawyers for a free initial consultation.
