Perhaps you suffered a concussion in a car accident, slipped on water at a restaurant and injured your hip, or lost a loved one in a tragic truck accident. Maybe your injuries left you with mounting medical bills or treatments that kept you from work. After such accidents, you may naturally feel helpless, angry, and fearful of what the future may hold.
Whether you or a loved one suffered personal injuries, you may feel overwhelmed by your medical bills. Your insurance company may offer you compensation. It can look like a lifeline in your time of need. Before you accept any settlement offers, you must understand the value of your losses, not just the medical bills, but your future medical bills, your lost income, your pain and suffering, and more.
You need the advice and support of the right personal injury lawyer to get the fair compensation you need so you can focus on your recovery.
What Accidents Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
Personal injury lawyers handle many accident cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Accidents resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Slip and fall accidents.
Why Shouldn’t I Handle My Case Alone?
A study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) and All-Industry Research Advisory Council (ARAC) found that victims of personal injury who retained legal representation received settlements more than 3.5 times higher than accident victims who did not retain a personal injury attorney.
Some insurance companies may only offer compensation for medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your case and your medical records to determine the full extent of your injuries and the impact on your quality of life to determine a fairer value of your damages.
Having a personal injury attorney on your side can also provide peace of mind. You know that a professional will handle the legal aspects of your personal injury case and negotiations, so you can focus on your recovery.
Before you accept an offer from an insurance company, consult some personal injury law firms (and consultations with Redemption Law are free) to choose the right personal injury lawyer for you and your case.
Why Is Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer Important?
When researching attorneys, the flashy slogans and empty promises some lawyers make can distract you.
You don’t want to end up with substandard legal representation. You want a personal injury lawyer who takes your case seriously by conducting a full investigation into the accident that injured you, gathering evidence to support your claim, going toe-to-toe with insurance companies, and guiding you through the otherwise complex legal system and claims process. You deserve respect and compassion from the lawyer who will represent you and fight for justice at the negotiating table and in court should your personal injury case go to trial.
Tips for Choosing the Right Personal Injury Attorney
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows the ins and outs of personal injury law. They will build a strong case for you and avoid common legal pitfalls. It’s not always easy to pick the right lawyer for your personal injury case. Here are some tips on how to conduct your search.
Look for a Personal Injury Lawyer With Expertise in Your Type of Accident
Whether you suffered injuries in a car accident, a slip and fall incident, or an accident that caused you or a loved one to suffer a TBI, begin your search for the right personal injury lawyer by looking for attorneys who specialize in your type of accident.
Look for a Lawyer Near Me
Choosing a local personal injury attorney offers several advantages. For starters, they know the local legal landscape. They know the city and will have invaluable knowledge of local courts, judges, and opposing counsel. They may also have established relationships with various professionals in your area who can evaluate your case or provide expert testimony, such as medical experts and accident scene investigators. Your lawyer can use this information to build you a stronger case.
A local personal injury attorney’s connections and deep understanding of local and state laws and regulations can also provide a strategic advantage in your case.
Finally, an accessible lawyer makes it easier to schedule face-to-face meetings, visit their office for advice or support, and attend court hearings, as needed.
Evaluate Their Success Rate
Reading client reviews and testimonials can give you important insights into the work style of your potential attorneys. Most law firms have testimonials on their websites where you can learn more about your attorney’s expertise, work ethic, and communication style directly from their past clients. Google reviews showing customer ratings and reviews provide a great source of client feedback.
Consider Their Track Record
A personal injury attorney with years of experience practicing personal injury law likely has the skills and knowledge to successfully handle your case. But you also want one with a proven track record. Some law firm websites will list recent verdicts and settlements proof of their success both outside and inside the courtroom. This shows the attorney’s skills at negotiating with insurance companies and combating the insurance company strategies to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Schedule a Consultation
Once you narrow down your list of potential personal injury attorneys, schedule a consultation. Most personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations. These meetings give the attorney a chance to hear about your case and determine they want to pursue it. But it also allows you to assess the lawyer’s approach to your case and whether they best suit your needs.
During this consultation, ask the attorney questions that will help you decide if you feel comfortable working with them. For example, ask them how and how often they will inform you about your case. You want a readily available lawyer who will keep open communications with you about your case throughout your claim.
Finally, inquire about their fee structure and any potential costs associated with your case. Understand their billing practices and any additional expenses that you could incur. The right personal injury lawyer will discuss their fees upfront, provide you a breakdown of the costs involved, and explain any potential financial implications you might face. If you are in a difficult financial situation, consider a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis—one who won’t bill you unless they recover compensation for you.
Make an Informed Decision
Choosing a personal injury lawyer for your case comes down to trust. Researching an attorney’s experience, track record, and customer reviews can point you toward the best personal injury lawyers for your case. But a consultation will not only answer your questions, it’ll help you experience first-hand their communication style, attentiveness, and genuine care for you and your wellbeing. Ultimately, your gut may lead you to the right personal injury attorney for you.
What Damages Can Personal Injury Cases Recover?
Personal injury victims accident victims may recover compensation for:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover financial losses related to the accident, such as:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scars or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
In rare circumstances, Florida courts will allow punitive damages when the at-fault party acted with deliberate disregard for the safety of others, such as driving while intoxicated.
What is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?
Accidents resulting in severe injuries have long-lasting effects on victims and their families, often for years or even a lifetime. These injuries typically require extensive and ongoing medical treatments.
When a primary provider for the household misses days at work or can no longer work in the same capacity, the entire family experiences the financial repercussions. Additionally, physical and emotional pain and suffering can afflict an accident victim.
The monetary compensation you may receive for your damages depends on:
- The extent and severity of your injury
- Whether the injury is permanent
- The type of current and future treatment and care required
- Your ability to work following the accident
- The amount of income lost due to your injuries
- The amount of pain and suffering
- The strength of your evidence
- Your ability to live the life you desired
- The willingness of the insurance company to provide fair compensation for your losses
- Your patience as your attorney navigates your case through the legal system
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for filing most personal injury cases in civil court. This two-year clock begins on the date you suffered your injury, or on the date you discovered the injury. Missing this deadline means you likely cannot recover compensation for your accident-related damages through the courts.
Florida’s statute of limitations makes limited exceptions, so work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can file your case within the timeline.
Why Should You Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer from Redemption Law?
Whether you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, truck accident, or slip and fall incident, working with a personal injury lawyer can get you full compensation for all your losses.
The hundreds of attorneys in Miami and throughout Florida vying for your attention can create challenges when choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your case. The Miami personal injury lawyers with Redemption Law have the experience, client approval, and track record you need. Contact our personal injury law firm in Miami today for your free consultation and case evaluation.