If you suffer an injury in a car accident in Florida, it is important you understand your rights under the law. You want to make sure the responsible driver is held accountable for their negligent behavior. One of the challenges you will face is hiring an attorney who can help you secure compensation for your injuries.
While Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning you will file a claim through your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, your expenses may be more significant than what this coverage offers. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to hire a car accident lawyer. This involves verifying several things to make sure you have hired the right attorney. Here are some of the ways to determine whether an attorney is right for your needs.
Experience in Complicated Car Accident Cases
When you hire a lawyer to help you pursue a personal injury claim in Florida, you will need someone who has experience stepping outside the no-fault provisions. Remember, there are specific instances where you can sue the other driver which include:
- Your injury is expected to be permanent
- Your injury resulted in disfigurement or excessive scars
- Your injury resulted in the loss of a bodily function
Make sure when you speak with a car accident lawyer you know what level of experience they have.
Has an Understanding of How Insurance Companies Work
Insurance claims can be complicated by the fact an insurer has one goal: To minimize payouts. This means they are an adversary from the outset, since your goal is to ensure you do not face any financial losses because of a car accident.
Talk to the car accident lawyer about their experiences dealing with insurance companies to make sure they are familiar with the tactics insurers will use to minimize your claim, including putting some of the blame on you. The more experience an attorney has dealing with insurers, the better off you will be in the long run.
Willing to Listen and Effectively Communicates
You have a story to tell as a car accident victim. You want your lawyer to listen to the entire story you have to tell and reassure you about your case, and what steps you are taking to ensure your recovery. However, it does not end there. Your attorney must be available to answer questions as they arise, and to keep you appraised of what is going on with your case.
It makes sense to ensure you have a good rapport with the attorney you will be working with, and it also is a requirement they have good communication skills. Determining the willingness of your attorney to effectively communicate with you is not that difficult, you can generally tell during a consultation what their approach is to their clients.
Willing to Serve as an Advocate in And Out of Court
When you are hiring a car accident lawyer, you want someone who is willing to take your case to court if it is necessary. When an insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer because they think they can get a better deal by having the case go to court, you want your lawyer to serve as an advocate in the court room. Naturally, it is usually better for everyone if you can settle your case outside of court: That means your lawyer has to be willing to advocate on your behalf with the insurance company ahead of any potential court hearings.
Finding the right car accident lawyer can be complicated. There are hundreds of attorneys who boast about being the attorney who has secured massive settlements for their clients. However, the last thing you want is to be bounced around from lawyer to lawyer when your focus must be on regaining your physical health.
If you are a victim of a car accident and you need legal advice, you should contact a car accident lawyer you can feel confident working with. Someone who will realize you are not just another case, that makes you feel your case is as important to them as it is to you. Make sure you find the right personal injury lawyer to represent you following a car accident. This is a decision which could impact the outcome of your case.
