Everything can seem very hectic after a car accident. Even if you are not injured, will likely have to add a lot of stress to your life just to deal with the tasks associated with car accidents. If you are injured and you speak with an Orlando car accident attorney, then you should know what to ask. But how could you know?
Well, that’s where we can help.
You need to take the right steps and make the right decisions regarding your case from the very beginning. So how will you find this lawyer in shining armor? Well, you will need someone reliable to help you get through everything smoothly and ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. And the best way to find that lawyer is to ask questions, 5 questions to be exact.
If you’re still looking for a personal injury lawyer in Florida to represent you, make sure you ask these five important questions before hiring one.
1 What is your experience with cases like mine?
Experience counts a lot when hiring a good injury lawyer since not all firms specialize in this type of case. If you have a big personal injury case, it’s smarter to work with a lawyer who handles similar cases regularly.
This will not only speed up your case but also give you better chances of success and likely an even higher settlement than you would have expected. It will also mean that even if you don’t ask the right questions, they will have the experience to keep you informed either way.
2 How long have you been with the firm?
Chances are, the longer an attorney has been working for a particular personal injury firm, the more you can trust he will do what is best for you.
Personal injury firms that keep their attorneys for a long time have a great track record of keeping clients very happy. Additionally, the longer an attorney has been with the firm the more times they have been through this exact process. They know exactly how the operation works which means when you ask questions, they will have answers.
3 What is your fee structure?
In Florida, most personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency basis. This means that you will only pay them if you win a judgment in court or get an acceptable settlement. Most injury lawyers will take on average of 33% from your total claim, but some charge less.
It’s important to ask questions about the fee structure before signing a contract. Almost all injury lawyers will offer a free consultation which is also a great time to ask questions about the fee structure.
4 Who will handle my case?
A lot of law firms tend to advertise their senior partners as the lawyers who will handle a case. But when you sign a contract with them, you’ll be surprised that you’re assigned to someone with less experience.
It’s necessary to know who will be handling your case, who you can talk to, and who will help you with the process of putting together your claim. And remember the real unsung heroes of all these cases: the paralegals. You may get to know them really well.
5 Will You Take the Case to Trial If Necessary?
Injury lawyers who are too scared or too lazy to take your case to trial could be costing you thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Insurance companies prey on lawyers who are too apprehensive about taking cases to trial.
Be sure to find a lawyer that will go all the way if necessary. Ask questions about the last time they had to take a case to trial, and if there is a possibility your case may go to trial. If they hesitate or tell you trial is unnecessary, run for the hills.
If you are still unsure you can ask one more question about references.
Aside from asking other lawyers in your community, you can also ask the Orlando personal injury lawyer to provide you with references from other clients. You can then get in touch with these clients to know exactly what their experience was with the firm to help you decide if they are the right one for you too.
Hiring the right injury lawyer in Florida is one of the most important steps to take if you’re going to win your case. Lawyers know their community very well and wouldn’t think twice about referring cases they don’t normally take to other lawyers who specialize in those case types. Having a lot of referral cases is a good sign of an injury lawyer’s expertise. If you know a lawyer within your community, try to ask him for referrals to know what firm you should consider.
The days, weeks, and months that follow after you’ve been injured in an accident can be challenging, difficult, and extremely stressful. So keep this list of questions handy. Bookmark it now if you must!
So ask these questions and make sure that you choose the right professional to work with. If you were in a car accident, be sure to ask your lawyer these questions.
About the Author
Michael Feiner
Michael A. Feiner is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001, Michael has devoted his practice to representing plaintiffs throughout Florida in various tort and strict liability cases and has successfully litigated cases against national insurance companies, large public companies, and governmental agencies, resulting in tens of millions of dollars for his clients.
He has handled all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases on behalf of plaintiffs, including automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and sexual harassment. Michael’s product liability case against Microsoft, as well as his representation of victims of sexual harassment and abuse by physicians, has garnered him important media attention at both the local and national levels.
Michael is an experienced trial lawyer and successfully argued an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. In the reported decision Ortlieb v. Butts, 849 So.2d 1165 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), Michael persuaded the Fourth District Court of Appeal that a directed verdict on liability was appropriate where the defendant did not rebut the presumption of negligence of a rear driver in a rear-end collision.
Michael Feiner
Michael A. Feiner is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001, Michael has devoted his practice to representing plaintiffs throughout Florida in various tort and strict liability cases and has successfully litigated cases against national insurance companies, large public companies, and governmental agencies, resulting in tens of millions of dollars for his clients. He has handled all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases on behalf of plaintiffs, including automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and sexual harassment. Michael’s product liability case against Microsoft, as well as his representation of victims of sexual harassment and abuse by physicians, has garnered him important media attention at both the local and national levels. Michael is an experienced trial lawyer and successfully argued an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. In the reported decision Ortlieb v. Butts, 849 So.2d 1165 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), Michael persuaded the Fourth District Court of Appeal that a directed verdict on liability was appropriate where the defendant did not rebut the presumption of negligence of a rear driver in a rear-end collision.