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A Guide For How To Find A Good Personal Injury Lawyer
You never want to find yourself in need of a personal injury lawyer but should the time come, it’s critical that you make the right choice. Don’t let anyone tell you that all personal injury lawyers are the same. And don’t fall into the trap of hiring the first law firm that you come across. Below are some tips for how to find a good personal injury lawyer in Florida.
Four easy steps for finding a good personal injury lawyer
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to finding a good personal injury lawyer, however, there are some basic steps you can take to put yourself on the path to success.
- Read Google reviews: Take a couple of hours to read all the Google reviews for the law firms you’re considering. Look at the good and the bad, search for recurring themes, and cross off the firms that don’t match what you’re looking for.
- Read client testimonials: These don’t tell the entire story but they can give you an idea of what the firm has done for people in your position in the past and if the lawyer has experience handling your type of accident case.
- Online legal directories: If you need a jumping-off point, legal directories can provide it. Top options include FindLaw, Justia, SuperLawyers, and Avvo. When combined with Google reviews and client testimonials, you can quickly begin to formulate a picture of what each firm offers.
- Referrals: Do you have a family member who has hired a personal injury lawyer in the past? How about a close friend or co-worker? A personal referral is a client testimonial x10. You can ask questions, receive honest answers, and quickly determine if the suggested attorney is worth considering.
How much does a good personal injury lawyer cost in Florida?
For many, this is the question that matters most. You know you need legal help, but you’re unsure of how much it’ll cost. And with a variety of other expenses popping into your life after the accident—such as medical bills and auto repairs—the last thing you need is an expensive legal bill.
The good news is, most Florida personal injury lawyers provide a free consultation. Here’s why:
- It gives you the opportunity to provide more information in a no-obligation environment.
- It gives the lawyer the opportunity to learn more about your case, which helps them decide if they should take it on.
Should an attorney take your case, here’s the next question to answer: what do they charge for their services? Personal injury lawyers generally work on a contingency fee arrangement, meaning you only pay if they win your case. Contingency fees typically range from 25% to 40%.
Here’s an example of how it works: You were injured in a Florida car accident and have received a $100,000 settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company. With a 33% contingency fee—which is most common—you would receive $67,000 and your Daytona Beach personal injury attorney would receive $33,000.
While that sounds like a lot of money, keep in mind that your law firm is taking on all the financial risk. If they don’t win your case, they’ve lost out on time and the expenses associated with your case such as paying for professional accident investigators and medical experts.
How to prepare for a free consultation with a Florida personal injury lawyer
If you’ve suffered an accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Daytona Beach injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and the next steps in the compensation process.
As noted above, a free consultation is your time to ask questions and learn more about Florida personal injury laws. In addition, your attorney can formulate an opinion on their ability to win your case and can even estimate what your case might be worth.
Here are some things you can do to prepare for your free consultation with an experienced Daytona Beach personal injury attorney:
- Bring all applicable evidence related to the accident, such as a copy of the police report, photos of the damages and your injuries, insurance information, and witness contact information.
- Find someone to take with you: It’s not required, but it never hurts to have two pairs of ears in the room. Also, this person can ask any questions that you might overlook.
- Be ready to discuss court costs and attorney fees such as the aforementioned contingency fee agreement.
Questions to ask during a free consultation with a Daytona Beach injury lawyer
Once you get the basics out of the way, it’s time to ask any and every question that’s on your mind.
Since no two personal injury cases are the same, no two people will ask identical questions. However, these are some that everyone should ask:
- Have you taken on cases similar to mine in the past? What was the outcome?
- Who is responsible for paying my medical bills?
- What are the possible outcomes of my case?
- What damages can I recover?
- What should I do if the at-fault party’s insurance company contacts me?
- Can you explain your costs and fees?
Ready to hire a good personal injury lawyer in Florida?
Regardless of the cause of your car accident—from distracted driving to reckless driving—it’s critical to learn more about your legal rights and how to protect them. With over 30 years of experience protecting the rights of injured accident victims across Florida, Rick Kolodinsky, P.A. Daytona Beach personal injury lawyer offers the skills and expertise you need during this difficult time. Give us a call or contact us online today for a free consultation.
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Mr. Kolodinsky has been honored by his induction into this prestigious nationwide organization of trial lawyers. Of some 900 lawyers in Volusia Country there are four lawyers so honored.
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