Key Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer

Not every accident means running to a personal injury attorney. Some accident claims are pretty straightforward. You can save a few bucks and tackle the claim process without hiring an injury lawyer. 

Other accidents are more complicated. You may be struggling to prove liability or your damages are extensive. You need an accident lawyer but don’t know how to find the right one. While checking reviews when choosing an accident lawyer is key, you can also make some mistakes. Knowing which mistakes to avoid is a crucial part of choosing a personal injury attorney.

You’re Not Paying Attention to Track Records

Sticking the word ‘best’ in a website title doesn’t mean it’s true. Running an online search for the best Florida personal injury attorneys will bring up a long list. You can spend hours and even days calling each accident attorney. After the third or fourth phone call, you’re probably thinking there’s got to be a better way.

Instead of relying on search terms, start looking at track records. Pick a few accident attorneys near you and start digging into their past cases. You’re looking at the attorney’s settlement and trial outcome record. Obviously, if settlements are low or trial cases are frequently lost, this probably isn’t the attorney you want to go with. If you’re not sure where to start researching attorney track records, the Florida Bar is a good place to start.

Don’t Be Influenced By Flashy Ads

Billboards, TV spots, and radio ads are common marketing strategies for Florida injury attorneys. Whether you live in Ocala, Gainesville, or St. Augustine, you’re probably going to spot at least one legal ad.

These ads are designed to grab your attention. The ads are loud, bright, and almost impossible to miss. However, picking an accident attorney based on advertising is rarely a great idea. Take the time to meet with each injury lawyer on your list. 

Find out how the attorney approaches accident claims like yours, and don’t forget to ask about their track record. You can always double-check the attorney’s claims. Meeting with an attorney gives you a better idea of if they’ll be a good fit over a flashy ad.

Attorney Fees Shouldn’t Be The Deciding Factor

Okay, we’re certainly not saying attorney fees aren’t an important factor. They should be considered, just don’t make it the deciding one. Personal injury attorneys are allowed to charge clients on a contingency fee basis. This essentially means your attorney is only paid after successfully settling your case. Since you’re not paying anything upfront, hiring an accident attorney is more affordable.

You should pay attention to the percentage of your settlement your attorney is slated to take. On average, personal injury attorneys tend to charge anywhere between 33% to 40%. You may also run into additional costs, not covered by your contingency fee agreement. 

Make sure you know exactly what’s covered in the contingency fee agreement before signing on the dotted line. This way you’re less likely to be hit with surprise charges after settling your accident claim.

So, with all of that being said. You don’t need to go with the attorney charging the highest fees, but going with the lowest rate option may not be the best option. Lower fees often mean access to fewer resources and this can hurt your injury claim. Try to find an accident attorney somewhere in the middle.

Communication Is Something You Don’t Want to Overlook

You probably don’t need to talk to your personal injury attorney every day. This can get a little annoying. However, you do want to be able to reach your accident attorney when you have questions about your injury claim. You also want your personal injury lawyer to keep you updated on your claim.

Find out how the attorney plans on staying in touch with you. Ask if they have a dedicated communication system everyone follows. Will you receive texts, phone calls, or emails? What about the attorney’s availability to respond? Will the attorney respond in a few hours or does it take days? The answers to these questions can help you decide whether or not they’re the right law firm to parner up with for your accident claim.

Don’t Wait Too Long to Hire a Florida Personal Injury Attorney

A mistake you don’t want to make is waiting too long to partner with a Florida personal injury attorney. The clock starts ticking on your injury claim the day the accident happens, so you don’t want to delay. Do your research, don’t rely on flashy advertising, and remember the lowest rate isn’t always the best.