Tips for Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident and believe you have a case, your next step should be to contact a personal injury lawyer. But, not just any Florida personal injury lawyer. You need to do your due diligence to find the right attorney.
Our highly experienced team of attorneys at Cappy Law know how to handle all types of personal injury claims and lawsuits.
And, based on our proven track record and expertise, we’re sharing six helpful tips to help you hire a personal injury lawyer for your case.
Don’t Delay
Time is of the essence when searching for a personal injury lawyer. That’s because the sooner you can begin building your case, the better. Jot down relevant details and notes about the incident when it’s fresh in your mind and make sure to have images on hand if possible. This information will give your attorney a better idea of the situation to help you get the verdict you deserve.
Rely on Referrals
When making a decision, odds are, you turn to trusted friends and family members to get their feedback. You should follow the same approach when finding a personal injury lawyer in Florida.
Reach out to people you know (and trust) to see if they’ve dealt with an attorney in the past. Ask them about their experience and the outcome.
If you don’t know anyone who’s worked with a personal injury lawyer before, turn to online reviews as a source of information. Reading about other people’s experiences and digging into past client cases will help you make a more informed decision when the time comes to choose an attorney for your case.
Accept the Free Consultation/Case Evaluation
These offerings are there for a reason and should be used to help find the right attorney.
If you’ve never engaged in a free case evaluation, it’s essentially a chance for you to meet face-to-face (in-person or via video) and discuss your potential claim with an attorney.
You’ll explain the incident and the attorney will listen and provide feedback based on the information you’ve provided.
Plan to bring or send in all of the documents and materials you have regarding your accident. This information will help the attorney gain a deeper understanding of the incident.
Ask the Right Questions
The free case evaluation is just as important for the attorney to learn about your case as it is for you to see if it’s a right fit.
That’s why it’s important to ask pointed questions during this session.
Here are some questions to consider:
- What areas of law do you specialize in? You want to find an attorney that specializes primarily in personal injury law in Florida.
- Do you have a contingency fee? If so, what is it? A contingency fee means you only pay legal fees if the attorney obtains monetary compensation for your injuries.
- How many cases do you typically handle at a time? You want to ensure the attorney will give your case the time and attention it deserves.
- How often will we communicate during my case? Communication is key and both parties need to be on the same page from the beginning on the frequency and main mode of communication during the case.
- How do you think I should move forward? This is your chance to ask the expert. Don’t be afraid to ask this question to get their feedback. Remember, this is what attorneys do for a living.
Trust Your Gut
In addition to an attorney’s reviews and expertise, collaboration and comfort are integral pieces to the overall puzzle of a successful relationship with a personal injury lawyer.
When going through the process, you’ll have to be able to discuss the claim with our attorneys and get down to the nitty gritty details. If there’s hesitation on either side, that’s a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored.
Check Their Ratings
Just like you check the ratings for a restaurant you should also check an attorney’s using the Martindale-Hubbell Bar rating. This is a resource that shouldn’t be overlooked during your research process as it provides client and peer-reviewed attorney ratings.
Using a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), attorneys will be scored in the following categories:
- Analytical Capabilities
- Communication Abilities
- Judgment
- Legal Experience
- Legal Knowledge
Attorneys can qualify for one of three Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings awards:
- AV Preeminent
- Distinguished
- Notable
These distinctions showcase the attorney’s strong legal ability and high ethical standards.
Ryan Cappy and Tim Sanders have both earned the AV Preeminent Award.
Selecting a personal injury lawyer for your case can be a difficult decision to make, but these six tips will point you in the right direction to find an attorney who will be an advocate on your behalf.
