How To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

When To Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

The decision of when to hire a personal injury attorney depends on the specific circumstances of your case. Ideally, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Even in cases where you sustained minor injuries, obtaining legal advice can make the insurance claims process much easier for you. 

Other times you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney in Miami, Florida, include:

• The insurance company is using delay tactics to avoid paying your injury claim
• The insurance company refuses to negotiate with you and offers a low settlement
• The other party or the insurance company is disputing they are at fault for your injuries
• There is more than one party responsible for your injuries
• You want to avoid the hassles and complexities involved when attempting to obtain compensation for your injuries

What To Look For When Considering a Personal Injury Attorney

There are several things you need to consider when you want to hire a personal injury attorney by asking yourself the following questions:

• How much experience does the attorney have? Working with an attorney with extensive expertise related to your personal injury, such as a car accident or slip-and-fall accident, is important to ensure a favorable outcome.
• Do they have experience in your location? Some lawyers will offer representation outside of Miami, Florida. However, having an attorney familiar with the local court system, court processes, and Miami laws can make a big difference in the outcome of the case.
• Do they specialize in personal injury law? You want an attorney that only specializes in personal injury law as this is their field of expertise. 
• Does the attorney communicate well and promptly? During the free initial consultation, asking how the attorney communicates with their clients is essential. You want a lawyer who will regularly update you about your injury claim and how your case is progressing.
• Do they make themselves available to you when you have questions? Having access to your lawyer can be important when you have questions. Inquire how questions are handled when you have them and if the lawyer responds directly or has someone on their legal team respond to questions. 
• What results have they gotten for past clients? The attorney’s track record is important to better understand their success rate. However, it is crucial to remember your case is unique, so its monetary value will vary from other similar cases. 
• Are they willing to take the case to trial if need be? You need to know what the attorney will do if settlement negotiations are not proceeding as desired and how invested they are to litigate your case in court.  
• What do past clients have to say about them? It is worthwhile to read reviews of the attorney to find out what former clients have to say. You may also ask the attorney to provide references, as they may have a list of former clients willing to accept phone calls from potential clients. 
• Do they have a solid legal team around them? Your attorney will have other cases they are working on while working on yours. You need to know what sort of legal team will be working collaboratively on your case and what their expertise is that can help benefit the outcome. 
• Do they have expert witnesses they can call upon? In certain situations, it can be necessary to use expert witnesses, such as independent accident investigators and healthcare professionals, to further establish your injury claim and the negligence of the other party.

How To Interview a Personal Injury Attorney

How to hire a personal injury attorney is like conducting a job interview. After all, you are choosing someone to represent your interests and help you obtain a favorable settlement from the responsible party. Use the following steps to help conduct an interview:

• Schedule a free consultation: Most personal injury attorneys in Miami, Florida, offer a free case evaluation and consultation. This is your opportunity to ask the questions presented above and get a feel for the lawyer. 
• Discuss attorney’s fees: You will also want to ask about attorney’s fees during the free consultation. You want to hire a lawyer who works on a contingency basis and only collects fees when they reach a settlement or favorable verdict at trial. 
• How does the attorney show they care about their clients?: The lawyer should make you feel comfortable and provide you with information on what they do to support their clients, such as a special phone number you can call day or night when you have questions. They should also make you feel genuinely vested in your recovery and well-being. 
• What methods they use to value your case: One thing you will want to find out during the initial consultation is the potential monetary value of your injury claim. Be sure to find out what methods the attorney uses to establish this estimated value. 

Why Work With Bernstein & Maryanoff Injury Attorneys?

At Bernstein & Maryanoff Injury Attorneys, our clients are much more than just a number. We take the time to get to know you, the extent of your injuries, and your concerns, and we discuss what is needed to obtain the best possible outcome. When you hire us, you are assigned a team of legal experts who work together to advocate on your behalf and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We are fully committed to our clients and their well-being. Contact us now to request a free consultation. 

Sources:

Attorney Fees and Cost of Legal Representation. (2023).

Negligence Per Se in Personal Injury Lawsuits. (2023).

Personal Injury Law Center. (2023).