South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Port St. Lucie, FL, is a highly populated city in the state. With nearly 223,000 residents, car accidents are bound to happen every day.
If you are involved in an accident and need the help of an auto attorney, you may realize that it’s not an easy task to find the right representative, especially if you’ve never needed an attorney’s services before.
Here is a guide for what you should look for in hiring an attorney to represent you in your Florida accident case and why you can trust Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers for help.
How to Find an Attorney
First and foremost, the search for an attorney should never be quick. Since your auto case will determine if and how much you can receive in compensation, it’s crucial to take time searching for a high-quality lawyer. Nevertheless, there are many details to be covered in car accident cases, so you shouldn’t wait long before searching for an attorney.
Florida’s statute of limitations gives civilians two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. That’s plenty of time to spend at least a few days to a week searching the internet for the right Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer. Although, the sooner you begin, the better.
While you search, you should gather a handful of firms to invest more time into. Take time to visit each firm on your list and consult with one of their attorneys. Almost all law firms offer free consultations that give you the chance to discuss your case at no expense with a lawyer to hear about their services and how your case would be handled.
Since there are several factors that go into choosing the right attorney, having a few to sort through is key.
Here are some specifics for choosing the right lawyer:
Experience
One of the first qualities you should look at in each firm is years of experience in the business.
More years in practice is highly beneficial for your case. Whether you are dealing with a simple car accident and just need a fair settlement from your insurance company, or if you’re dealing with a more complex case that involves a potential lawsuit, you need to know if your attorney can handle both possibilities.
To learn more about the experience of the firm, you can visit their website to browse their information. This will give you an indication of whether or not the firm is worth diving more time into. If you notice they have plenty of experience handling car accident claims, here are some excellent questions to ask when you go in for your consultation:
- How many similar cases have you handled?
- What is your success rate?
- What are the resources you use to aid for a favorable outcome?
Before choosing the attorney that will handle your case, you should be confident in who you pick to represent you and speak on your behalf. The attorney you choose should have proven success and experience in similar cases.
Reputation of The Firm
Before you pick a firm on your list to consult with, try to discover the firm’s reputation with past clients and local residents. Investing in a lawyer is a big deal, so you should invest in an attorney only after looking up their reputation.
There are several websites available for you to read testimonials from past clients. Before you select a firm, read testimonials to obtain an indication of how the firm works and their local reputation.
While one or two bad reviews will not be a true indication of the firm’s work, consistent negative comments may warrant looking elsewhere. You should also read the positive reviews to study how well the attorneys work with their clients and how they handled business throughout the case.
Accountability & Honesty
Whichever Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer you hire, you should feel confident in their abilities and trust that they are always honest with your best intentions in mind. That stated, you should select a lawyer that has a great sense of accountability during your first meeting.
As a potential client, you should ask the following questions to determine how well an attorney will be able to work with you:
- How will we communicate throughout this process?
- Who will be responsible for the paperwork and most of the case? (Some lawyers have paralegals or assistants they use for help. If you would prefer your attorney to handle it individually, let them know.)
- How often will we discuss the case and what is developing?
- How will we work together and what will I need to do?
Your Budget
The last major factor that goes into considering which attorney to work with is your budget. Most personal injury attorneys do not get paid unless you win, but you should still be prepared for how you will pay for their services if and when the time comes.
One of the earliest points to discuss during your consultation is the fee agreement. Attorneys may agree to an hourly fee, contingency fee basis, or combination of both. In whichever way your attorney works, it’s valuable to have a signed document in writing highlighting the payment method to prevent disagreements or disputes.
If your attorney agrees to an hourly rate, they will keep a record of all the time they have spent working on your particular case. You may have the option to pay your lawyer as the case goes on or at the end with the total of all hours worked.
A contingency fee is a one lump sum you will pay your attorney at the end of your case if you win. An attorney’s contingency fee is typically between 33%-40% of your earnings. For example, if you win $50,000 from your insurance company and your lawyer has an agreed contingency fee of 33%, you will owe your attorney $16,500.
Consider Frankly Kominsky Injury Lawyers
As a highly reputable injury firm in Florida, the attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are happy to sit down with you to discuss your case or answer any questions you may have. We understand that the aftermath of a car accident can be stressful, so we want to make it easy as possible for you during this time.
Our firm has been around for more than 40 years with extensive experience in car accident cases. Our attorneys can review your case, help you determine which angle to approach, and determine if you qualify to file a lawsuit.
To get started, we would like to schedule a no-obligation free consultation. All you have to do is leave your contact information in our online case evaluation form or call our office at (561) 800-8000.
We look forward to hearing from you and serving you as your Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer (by appointment only).