Factors to keep in mind when choosing the best lawyer for your case
You’ve decided to find a trustworthy personal injury lawyer in Riverview, Florida. But what next? Of the many options available, how can you find one you can rely on? You should aim to choose a lawyer who can get you solid results and have your best interests in mind, from filing your claim to representing you in the trial, if necessary. Finding the “right” lawyer is the first step in getting fair compensation after you’ve suffered injuries from an accident. So, what should you look for when choosing a lawyer for your personal injury case? Where should you start?
Make sure you don’t just pick a lawyer based on advertising alone. There are shady lawyers with high-volume practices who will settle your case for whatever the insurance company offers them. Every town has less than qualified personal injury lawyers looking to settle your case quickly for little money.
One way to find a trustworthy personal injury lawyer is through a recommendation or a referral. Most professionals in a field or profession know who’s great and who’s not. Some sources name those lawyers who come highly recommended amongst their peers. In this article, we’ll explain why that should be the most important factor that helps you choose a lawyer to represent you.
Calandro Law was founded by a former Super Lawyer of Florida. Our firm is regarded as one of the best, and we are prepared to get you the highest possible settlement for your personal injury case. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
When it comes down to it, extensive research will shape your decision. Most importantly, while you are searching, there are questions you should keep in mind when weighing your options. Continue reading to learn what to avoid, questions you should ask, and tips to help you find a trustworthy personal injury lawyer for your case.
Do Your Close Contacts Know a Trustworthy Personal Injury Lawyer?
One way to find a trustworthy personal injury lawyer is to ask acquaintances and friends. If they have good things to say, add that lawyer to your list of candidates. However, it would help if you didn’t solely rely on someone else’s suggestions when choosing a lawyer. A lawyer’s personality and style will affect how people react to them.
Also, lawyers may have more or less energy to dedicate to new cases at any time. So please don’t hire a lawyer until you consult with them about your case, feel their demeanor, and decide you are comfortable entering an agreement with them.
Why Are Ads Not Always The Best Place to Find a Trustworthy Personal Injury Lawyer?
Although ads are in some ways useful, you should be cautious about believing everything you read and hear. You can recognize the names of lawyers who are often appropriate for your legal needs through newspapers, telephone directories, radio, television, and direct mail ads.
An ad might also include a lawyer’s specialty area. In other ads, a quote or a fee range will be advertised for a certain “simple” type of case. You should always remember that not every case is “simple” and can be settled easily. Chances are your case won’t be. When an attorney quotes a fee, know the exact services and expenses the charge does and does not include.
Beware of Solicitation Letters After An Accident
Recently, more and more personal injury lawyers have utilized runners to acquire traffic accident reports from local and state police officers. The law firm will obtain accident reports from the police and scan the report for the name and address of the accident victim. Upon receiving this letter, the law firm will inform the injury victim that it is ready and willing to represent him/her in a personal injury case.
An accident victim may receive 15-20 solicitation letters from law firms. Some law firms will send these letters for months and even call the accident victim to ask if they have received them.
Does The Lawyer You Choose Practice Personal Injury Law?
Many rules and procedures apply to personal injury law. Lawyers who handle divorces, wills, trusts, or bankruptcies are most likely not well-versed in this area of law. These lawyers do not try cases. Therefore, insurance companies tend to make lowball offers. You will risk poor representation if you opt for a lawyer who doesn’t specialize in personal injury claims.
Does This Lawyer Have the Resources to Take On My Case?
A lawsuit involving serious or catastrophic personal injuries can be very expensive. For example, trucking accidents may involve accident reconstruction experts and trucking safety experts, as well as the expert witness needed to examine the nature and extent of a client’s injury. The client’s case can be hurt if the lawyer lacks the resources and financing to fund the case. This would cause a lawyer to cut corners. In this situation, a client could also accept a poor settlement.
You want to find a trustworthy personal injury lawyer with the financial resources to take a case to trial if necessary.
Trustworthy Personal Injury Lawyers Take Cases To Court
Contrary to popular belief, personal injury lawyers do not regularly appear in court and try cases. Many lawyers who call themselves “trial lawyers” or “personal injury lawyers” lack experience in jury trials. It is important to determine whether the lawyer takes on court cases and, if so, how often. This is an important question that many people don’t even think of asking.
Law firms defending personal injury cases know which injury lawyers attempt trials and which do not. The insurance industry uses that information to assess its risks. When a serious claim comes in, an insurance adjuster often asks, “Who represents the plaintiff ?”
The key to getting the highest possible settlement is that insurers need to believe the lawyer they choose is prepared, willing, and able to continue the case to court. It would be best to evaluate whether an attorney constantly settles without ever going to court. If so, you can expect a lowballed settlement.
What Does Your Gut Tell You?
Don’t forget while weighing your options, your intuition plays a vital part in your decision-making. Like other life decisions, you must move forward with what feels right. Choose an attorney who genuinely cares about you and your long-term well-being. Some attorneys may be more concerned with their ego or making the decisions rather than helping you with your recovery. You and your goal of getting the best settlement to cover medical bills and damages are the most important part of your case. Don’t choose a lawyer who you feel doesn’t acknowledge that.
Additionally, good attorneys will be honest and straightforward about the weaknesses of your case upfront instead of exaggerating the strengths. This will come off as a selling ploy to distract you from the weaker parts of your claim. Trust your gut feeling when choosing an attorney; do not hire them if it feels wrong.
Do Their Peers and Competitors Have Good Things To Say?
When trying to find a trustworthy personal injury lawyer, you could consult several resources. One of the most reliable ways to research a lawyer is to check a lawyer’s qualifications based on what competitors and fellow lawyers say about them.
There is no official rating system in the field of personal injury law other than peer review by other lawyers. One highly regarded peer review rating system is Super Lawyers.
Super Lawyers lists the top lawyers from over 70 practice areas who have achieved high peer recognition and professional achievement. They are chosen using a survey, research results, and a selection process to identify attorneys who meet those criteria. Each state names only five percent (5%) of its lawyers as Super Lawyers.
Calandro Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Andrew J. Calandro is among 5% of Florida’s Super Lawyers. He’s a top-rated personal injury lawyer in Riverview, Florida, and provides legal services for various case types. Andrew Calandro has also been selected to Rising Stars for 2021.
Schedule a free consultation today by calling us at (813) 563-6463 or filling out the form on the right side of the page.
