Things to Consider When Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer
When choosing a personal injury attorney, you are putting your trust in someone to represent you and look out for your best interests. Not all Florida injury attorneys practice solely personal injury, nor do they all have the same qualifications and experience
Convenience
A law firm should make it as easy as possible for clients to hire representation, especially when your case involves a serious injury. That’s why we will come to your home or hospital to have you sign any necessary documents and answer your questions. We want to ensure your focus is on getting better, so we do our best to help put you at ease and make hiring a lawyer as convenient as possible.
Trial Experience
Trial experience does matter when handling personal injury cases. In fact, our lead trial attorney Eric Roslansky is a Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law. Fewer than 7% of eligible FL Bar lawyers are Board Certified in a specialty area. Insurance companies know which firms are ready and willing to take a case to trial and which are not. They’re aware that if they don’t offer a fair settlement, we aren’t afraid to litigate a case. Our attorneys are known in the courtroom, and our case results speak for themselves.
Practice Areas
While it can be tempting to choose an attorney who is a “Jack of all trades,” it may also mean they are a “master of none.” Choosing someone who handles many types of cases may not be your best option. Consider selecting a firm who handles only personal injury cases. This means their focus, day in and day out, is handling cases similar to yours and representing only injured persons
Fee Structure
Generally speaking, personal injury lawyers in Florida work on a contingency-fee bases. This means clients pay no upfront costs, and we do not send bills to you in the mail. In fact, there are no costs or fees to you unless we win. Once we make a financial recovery on your behalf, our fee is a portion of that amount.
How to Be a Good Client During Your Personal Injury Case
When you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer, you want to make sure you end up with the right person for you and your case. And that expectation can work both ways. Every lawyer wants a “good client” if at all possible. But what is a “good client,” and how much of being a “good client” is actually within the client’s control?
Respond to Your Lawyer
Clients get pretty upset when their lawyer doesn’t return phone calls. And lawyers feel the same way. If you don’t return your lawyer’s phone calls, emails, or letters promptly, you’re not just wasting your lawyer’s time, you could also be hurting your case.
Attend All Medical Appointments
Your health care provider will note any appointment that you miss, and, if you miss too many, the insurer adjuster (or the jury) is going to assume that you must not have been hurt as badly as you claim. This will cost you and your lawyer money. Be sure to keep all of your appointments.
Cooperate in the Discovery Process
If you end up filing a personal injury lawsuit in court, the defendant will send your lawyer written questions called interrogatories, as well as document requests. Your lawyer will send these on to you. You will need to promptly answer the interrogatories and provide your lawyer with the requested documents, or your case could be dismissed. Help your lawyer, and help yourself. Respond to all discovery as quickly as you can.
Practice for your deposition. Your personal injury deposition is a very important step in your case. Your lawyer is there to help you prepare, to offer guidance during the proceedings, and even step in if the other side is taking a questionable approach. Follow your lawyer’s advice and recommendations.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer – What you Need to Know
If you’ve been seriously injured, it’s in your best interest to make sure you have full information about your legal rights before signing any documents presented to you by ICBC or any other insurance company. Getting legal advice early on is an important part of this essential information gathering exercise. Personal injury lawyers usually offer free initial consultations because of how important it is that you know what your claim is and what your rights (and obligations) are
Based on this information a lawyer can usually explain:
Who is at fault in the eyes of the courts.
What types of compensation you can expect to receive.
Where that compensation will come from and when.
Possible complications related to your claim.
What out-of-pocket losses you can recover and what receipts you should keep for reimbursement.
What you can expect ICBC or an insurance company to do.
Where do I find a lawyer?
Many people turn to family, friends, colleagues and trusted advisors for a referral. A referral from your personal network can work well but, as with any legal matter, you should make sure you have the right type of lawyer for your case. A lawyer who has practiced real estate law for 30 years and has never seen the inside of a courtroom is not likely to have the expertise needed to handle a complex personal injury or medical malpractice case. The consequences for you (as the injured person or caregiver of an injured child) can be financially disastrous, so it is important to take the time to make the necessary inquiries and satisfy yourself that you have the right lawyer for the job. In other words, clarify that you are looking for an experienced personal injury lawyer.
In addition to canvassing your personal networks, you may want to Google “personal injury lawyers” in your location to see other options. Even if a friend has provided you with a referral, take the time to check the lawyer out online before you add them to your shortlist.
Review the lawyer’s website to learn more about the kinds of cases he or she has done and what success they have had. If you find a lawyer you want to talk with about your case, look them up on the Law Society of BC website to confirm they are a member in good standing and have not been the subject of any discipline proceedings.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer is a type of civil litigator who provides legal representation to plaintiffs who are alleging physical or psychological injury as the result of the negligent or careless acts of another person, entity, or organization.
Personal Injury Is Tort Law
Personal injury attorneys specialize in an area known as tort law. This covers private or civil wrongs or injuries, including defamation and actions for bad faith breach of contract. The main goal of tort law is to make the injured party whole again and to discourage others from committing the same offense.
Personal injury lawyers help plaintiffs receive compensation for their losses, including loss of earning capacity due to an inability to work, pain and suffering, reasonable medical expenses, both present and expected, emotional distress, loss of consortium or companionship, and legal costs and attorney fees. They also work to safeguard clients from being victimized by insurance companies and the legal system.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Any case or claim that involves an injury to the body or mind falls under the umbrella of personal injury law
Some of the most common types of cases handled by this type of lawyer include:
Animal bite injuries
Auto accidents
Aviation accidents
Bicycle accidents
Boating accidents
Brain injuries
Burn injuries
Construction accidents
Defective products
Insurance/bad faith claims
Medical malpractice
Motorcycle accidents
Nursing home abuse
Pedestrian accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Spinal cord injuries
Wrongful death
Things You Need to Know about Personal Injury Cases
What Should I Know About My Personal Injury Case?
If you were hurt or a loved one died due to the negligence of another, there are some basic facts you should know if you’re considering legal action.
Personal injury law is about more than car accidents.
Although car accidents and other types of motor vehicle collisions make up a substantial number of personal injury cases, personal injury law applies to any instance in which a person suffers harm due to the negligence of another individual or entity. Personal injury lawsuits may also relate to defective consumer products, accidents caused by unsafe premises, dog bites and wrongful death
Insurance company settlement offers are not always fair.
Insurance providers often attempt to limit what they pay for medical expenses and other damages in the interest of protecting their own bottom lines. But undervaluing your claim can leave you facing immediate and long-term financial adversity, especially if you’re temporarily unable to work due to your injuries.
Working with an experienced lawyer matters.
Victims of severe injuries often find themselves facing tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses, and may be unable to return to their jobs or require long-term rehabilitation. A personal injury claim led by an attorney who understands the physical, financial and mental hardships associated with severe injuries provides the best opportunity for receiving adequate compensation. Working with a lawyer can also relieve some of your personal stress, offer peace of mind, and allow you to focus on your recovery
So does your lawyer’s experience.
The Frickey Law Firm has an extensive record of success in personal injury cases, and our attorneys are consistently recognized as top lawyers in their fields by Martindale-Hubbell, U.S. News & World Report, Super Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum among other esteemed organizations. Our attorneys’ legal wisdom, medical knowledge and negotiating skills are backed by substantial trial experience, as well as the resources to thoroughly investigate and aggressively pursue your claim.