If you have been hurt in an accident, having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can be crucial to getting all the compensation you deserve. However, not all personal injury lawyers are the same. You want to look for someone with a proven track record and experience handling similar accident claims.
Before you hire an attorney for your case, check out the details below in this ultimate guide to hiring a personal injury lawyer in Jacksonville.
Why Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
The truth is that you can handle an insurance claim on your own, but that does not mean that it is a good idea. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers who handle complex claims every single day. Their job is to minimize the value of your claim and keep as much money in the insurance company’s pocket as possible.
In order to level the playing field, you need a personal injury lawyer who can stand up and fight for your rights.
A personal injury lawyer can help you by:
- Investigating all the details of your accident
- Identifying all potential defendants
- Gathering evidence and hiring experts to support your claim
- Assessing the insurance coverage and all sources of compensation
- Handling communications and negotiations with the insurance company
- Putting an accurate value on your claim by calculating all your damages
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial when the insurance company will not negotiate
While you may be able to handle a small claim involving property damage or very minor injuries on your own, you should always seek legal advice from a lawyer for claims involving more serious injuries.
What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. The consultation is an opportunity for the lawyer to learn more about your case, but it also gives you a chance to ask questions of the lawyer as well.
Before you hire a lawyer, you should ask them:
- Have you handled injury claims similar to mine? For example, if you were seriously injured in a truck accident, you do not want to hire a lawyer who has never handled a truck accident case.
- What is your track record or success rate with similar cases? Look for a lawyer with a winning track record in similar cases, such as car accident settlements or slip and fall cases.
- What is your fee structure, and will I be responsible for case expenses? Most injury lawyers use contingency fees, but you might also be responsible for paying court costs and other fees.
- Who will be handling my case on a day-to-day basis? Some larger firms may hand your case over to a junior associate who lacks the necessary experience to successfully handle your claim, so you want to ensure that the lawyer you talk to will be the one actually handling your case.
- How often will you communicate with me? Clients should be kept informed as their case progresses, and you want to choose a lawyer who keeps you in the loop.
The lawyer’s location can also be an important consideration. While you are not likely to need to travel to the lawyer’s office often, having a lawyer who is local to the area where your accident occurred can be helpful because they are familiar with the courts in that area.
Knowing the answers to these questions can help you make the right decision when hiring a personal injury lawyer for your claim.
Watch Out for These Red Flags
There are some red flags that you should watch for when choosing a personal injury lawyer. If you notice any of these, it might be wise to continue looking for other options.
You should likely avoid a lawyer who:
- Engaged in unsolicited contact
- Promises a specific outcome
- Tries to pressure you into signing a contract immediately
All of these warning signs indicate that a lawyer may not have your best interests in mind.
Call Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been hurt in an accident in Jacksonville, the team at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys today at (904) 396-1100 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our experience and how we can help you.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and the surrounding areas.
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167