Key Highlights
- A good way to find a personal injury lawyer is to choose an attorney with a successful history of practice in your area who employs a contingency fee arrangement.
- Not every lawyer who practices personal injury law uses the same negotiation or trial preparation approach.
- Hiring a lawyer earlier will allow him/her to help you secure and preserve evidence to significantly increase your chances of success.
- Through the use of free initial consultations, you can evaluate how well a lawyer can represent your best interests before you decide to retain their services.
- Choosing the right personal injury lawyer will help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injury.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do
Many people do not realize that making the right choice of lawyer to represent them for an injury lawsuit can impact the overall result of their case, so they make poor choices. In most situations the victim (Plaintiff) from an automobile accident has no idea what the eventual costs of his/her medical care, lost wages, and long-term effects of the accident will be due to how quickly the insurance companies will act. Delaying filing a claim or retaining inadequate legal representation will greatly decrease the victim’s chances of prevailing in the claim.
I am Alex J. Kompothecras of Alpha Law Group and I have personally witnessed how timely decisions made with accurate information impact the strength of a claim. In many cases, the liability appears to be clear cut, however, the insurance company will deny the injuries caused by the defendant and/or minimize the care of the victim and/or press the victim to accept a premature offer that does not take into account long-term costs.
It’s very important to know how to choose a personal injury lawyer that has a proven track record, is local to you and is ready to take your case to trial. A skilled attorney starts protecting your rights from day one, will preserve all necessary evidence and has the ability to present your case for the maximum amount of recovery possible so that you can concentrate on your recovery without worrying about the legal aspects of your claim.
How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer
The process of finding a personal injury attorney doesn’t need to be stressful. Start by getting referrals from family members, friends or from other lawyers. After you have received referrals, you can do some online research about those attorneys, read online ratings and reviews of each attorney and check with the state bar association (Florida Bar) for a list of licensed attorneys who practice personal injury law in your area.
Key Steps to Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
- Ask for Referrals: Get as many referrals as you can from family members, friends, and co-workers who have experience with personal injury attorneys.
- Conduct Online Research: Use Google, Avvo, or your state bar’s directory to help you find qualified personal injury lawyers in your area.
- Verify the Attorney’s Credentials: Be sure the attorney you are considering is licensed in your state, has a personal injury attorney specialty and has sufficient trial experience handling cases similar to yours.
- Check the Attorney’s Reputation: Look for attorneys who have positive reviews and successful results from other cases. If the attorney has a board certification in any area related to personal injury, this may also be helpful in your decision-making process.
- Schedule Consultations: You should meet with a minimum of 2 to 3 different personal injury attorneys to discuss your case and assess your level of comfort with each attorney. You should also inquire about the attorney’s structure for collecting their contingency fee.
Questions to Ask During Consultations
- How many personal injury claims similar to my own have you worked on?
- How do you charge personal injury lawyer fees after the conclusion of this case?
- Will you work on my case, or pass it off to someone else in your firm?
- What will your communication with me be like (frequency, method)?
- If necessary, will you represent me in court?
What to Look For
- Communication: It’s important for your attorney to explain things clearly and listen attentively.
- Comfort level: You need to feel safe trusting someone as your attorney.
- Proximity: Knowing local court systems, hospitals and insurance adjusters will help you hire an attorney who has the best chance of getting your rights protected, preserving evidence and getting you maximum compensation.
Taking these steps will help you choose an attorney who is able to provide you with the legal assistance you need to get a fair settlement for your personal injury case.
Why Finding the Right Personal Injury Lawyer Matters
Personal injury cases involve much more than simply filling out forms. They include medical records, expert opinions, negotiating with an insurance company and meeting all of the necessary deadlines required by law. Any of these items can have a lasting impact on your recovery.
Insurance companies begin protecting themselves as soon as they receive notice of an accident. If you do not also begin to protect yourself, it is quite possible that your claim has been negatively impacted.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports more than 390,000 crashes each year in the state of Florida; thousands of which result in serious or fatal injuries. Many victims accept settlements that are significantly lower than their true value because they do not know what to look for in a personal injury attorney.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
Injured people generally do not understand that not all personal injury attorneys will accept the same type of cases. Some attorneys only take on small claims, while others represent clients with catastrophic injury lawyer due to accidents or incidents resulting in permanent disability.
When looking for an personal injury attorney, ask:
- Have you successfully represented clients with similar injuries to mine?
- Have you successfully taken any of your clients’ cases to trial?
- Do you regularly negotiate with insurance companies to obtain fair settlements for your clients?
At Alpha Law Group, we represent clients injured in everything from automobile accidents and dog bite lawyer to catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent disabilities.
Local Knowledge Makes a Difference
When searching online, “personal injury lawyer near me” isn’t just about convenience; it’s about getting help from an attorney who has experience working with:
- Local hospitals/medical providers
- Courts/judges located in your area
- Insurance adjustors working in your area
This local knowledge can help expedite the claims process and obtain better settlements for clients.
Trial Readiness (Even If You Never Go to Trial)
Insurance companies know which law firms settle quickly and which lawyers prepare every case just like they were going to trial. A top rated personal injury lawyer will start preparing for trial as soon as they receive a case file. The mere fact that they are working up your case as if it were prepared for trial, will increase the potential value of your settlement.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for You?
In order for your attorney to successfully represent you and maximize your recovery, the following investigatory tasks must be completed:
- Obtain and investigate accident reports (police report, report from department of transportation, etc)
- Preserve evidence (surveillance videos, witness statements, etc.)
- Gather medical records from all providers you treated with
- Obtain expert evaluation of injuries (physician report)
- Calculate your current and future damages
- Communicate with the insurer(s)
- File suit if negotiations fail
Thus, people who have lawyers are generally compensated much more than people do not have lawyers.
When Should You Get a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Right away! Delays in hiring an attorney can result in:
- Loss of evidence
- Incomplete medical records
- Content that may be used against you if insurer gets a recorded statement to use in litigation.
- Missing the deadline’s outlined in the statute of limitations.
If you have suffered an injury that has required you to seek medical care, take time off from work, or require you to continue with medical treatment, you should immediately find an attorney to represent you in your claim.
How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?
Most companies, including Alpha Law Group, operate on a contingency basis meaning, there are:
- No upfront costs
- No billable hours
- No fees unless we win
Typical Fee Structure
| Case Stage | Percentage |
| Pre-lawsuit settlement | 33% |
| Litigation required | 40% |
| Trial | Varies |
Best Personal Injury Lawyer vs. “Advertising Lawyer”
The best personal injury lawyer in your area is not the loudest voice; they are the most prepared.
They also:
- Focus on results – not slogans.
- Have verified clients’ testimonials (and more specific).
- Will go to trial if necessary.
- Will give you direct access to your attorney.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
The different types of cases we will handle include:
- Auto accident attorneys (for injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents).
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Dog bites
- Slip and Falls
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death (negligent causing of death by another)
Since there is NO one-size-fits-all plan; each case will require a different strategy.
Case Study: How Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer Changed the Outcome
By Attorney Alex J. Kompothecras, Alpha Law Group
A person who resides in Polk County had suffered serious injuries as a result of a negligent incident, requiring an emergency response and causing them to be unable to work (because of serious harm). Although the defendant has been found liable for the injuries the Defendant’s insurer disputed the extent of the injuries and attempted to resolve the case as quickly as possible with an insufficient settlement.
Once the Alpha Law Group was retained by the client; they immediately began to preserve evidence (collecting police reports, interviewing witnesses), and obtaining all relevant medical records. All medical evidence related to the injuries caused by the negligent party was documented by the treating physician and independent medical experts in a manner that met the evidentiary requirements for supporting the damages alleged. Damages included both past and future costs of medical care, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Result
After the totality of the evidence was submitted to the insurer, the settlement offer from the insurer was significantly more than the original offer. The insurer and its associated carriers accepted full liability for all of the damages caused to the injured person. Ultimately, the case was resolved for the full amount of damages, which included all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This demonstrates how important it is to know how to find an experienced personal injury law firm that is prepared for trial and knows the jurisdiction.
How Insurance Companies Undervalue Claims
Insurance adjustors at times do not help injured victims get the benefits they are entitled to. Some ways they may not help include:
- They do not challenge or refute the severity of an injury.
- They may claim that an individual has had a previous injury prior to this occurrence.
- They may encourage an injured victim to settle prior to having a chance.
- They may not respond back to the injured victim in a timely manner.
A person injured in an accident will have two types of lawyers: one will represent you (your attorney) and one will represent the insurance company of the person that caused your injury (the insurance company’s attorney)
How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer in Your Area
When looking for a good personal injury lawyer it is best to:
- Begin by finding a local firm.
- Look at the personal injury lawyer’s experience and results.
- Schedule a FREE consultation.
- Ask whether the personal injury lawyer is trial ready.
- Be informed about their fees and costs
- Trust your instincts about the personal injury lawyer
If you do not feel comfortable dealing with the attorney or feel that they are not treating you well – keep looking for the right lawyer for you.
Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
By choosing an experienced, reputable attorney, you will greatly improve your chances of a successful recovery/compensation from a personal injury claim, and it will affect your long-term financial stability. An experienced personal injury attorney, through their ability to gather and preserve all of the evidence, can help prevent you from losing evidence.
If you’ve been injured and need guidance on how to find a personal injury lawyer you can trust, contact Alpha Law Group at (941)-304-1500 today for a free consultation and clear answers about your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to Find a Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer Near You
Here’s what you need to look for: The personal injury lawyer offers free consultations, they are honest about the risks of taking a case, have no Guarantees, have verified client reviews and case outcomes, and can communicate clearly. Be careful with any firm that tries to pressure you into signing with no solid explanation of your options.
2. Should I get a personal injury lawyer?
Yes. Having an experienced attorney will help ensure your case is documented to the fullest extent, that liability is established, and that you receive full compensation as opposed to accepting an insurance company that does not offer a reasonable amount of money.
3. Why do you need a personal injury lawyer?
An attorney will assist you in determining if your case is complex and in gathering the following types of information needed to prove your case: proof of the accident, proof you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, and supplying the attorney with documentation for your medical bills; lost wages and long-term effect of the injury.
4. How hard is it to win a personal injury lawsuit?
A successful recovery depends on your ability to prove evidence you provide in support of an injury, the defendant is liable that you have a legal strategy. In general, with a qualified attorney, sufficient documentation, and timely pursuit of your claim, most legitimate personal injury claims will either fully or partially recover.
5. What evidence do I need for a personal injury claim?
To support your claim, you should collect the following documentation: police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs of the accident, expert opinions, accident reconstruction, and documentation proving your lost wages and continuing medical care.
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