No one leaves their home thinking they will get into an accident. However, personal injuries happen every hour of every day. 

The yearly number of car accidents in the state of Florida is around 400,000. That breaks down to approximately 1,000 accidents every day in Florida. And this is just one type of personal injury.  

Not every one of those accidents results in an injury, but the accidents that cause injuries need a remedy. In those situations, you will send your claim to the insurance company. That is when things can get complicated. When there is resistance from an insurance company, you will want to retain the services of an attorney experienced in injury cases, but it’s important you hire one in or around the area your accident happened. For instance, if your accident happened in New Port Richey, FL, find a New Port Richey personal injury lawyer. 

Before you commit to a personal injury attorney, you’ll want to ask them questions to ensure you can build a strong working relationship. These are the questions you’ll want to ask a personal injury attorney: 

Does My Case Have Merit? 

At your first consultation with Dallas personal injury lawyer, you’ll discuss the particulars of your car accident. That is when the attorneys will decide if your case has merit. That assessment often begins with determining who is at fault in the accident.

The issue of insurance will also determine the merits of the case. Using the example of a car accident, every Florida-registered vehicle owner must carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability. However, your injuries and damage could exceed those numbers. That is when a personal injury lawsuit moves forward. 

How Much Will My Lawsuit Cost? 

When a personal injury attorney agrees to take on a case, they will begin collecting evidence, setting up depositions, and filing claims. That is a team effort for any law firm. Various costs are associated with all the phases in these cases. That is why you need to know exactly what those costs are upfront. 

Those costs will be part of a retainer agreement covering everything from billable office hours to courtroom appearance fees. Knowing these costs will help you make an informed decision about hiring your attorney. 

How Soon Should I File a Lawsuit? 

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida is four years. The clock starts on the date of the accident. It would be best if you filed the case as soon as possible. You don’t necessarily have to wait until you fully recover from your injuries. Waiting until you recover could mitigate the impact of those injuries.

How Much Can I Expect to Get From My Lawsuit? 

There are a lot of factors that determine what a personal injury lawsuit can yield in terms of a settlement. Therefore, you must know the possible range of that settlement to have realistic expectations.  

An experienced attorney will know the potential settlement range in any case. Of course, that is not a guarantee of the outcome, but it will give you a strong sense of what you are fighting for. 

What Is Your Success Record With These Types of Cases? 

When evaluating an attorney, you will want to know their track record of success. That indicates  that the attorney understands the court system and how to advocate for their clients. That success can help you make a confident decision about hiring a law firm. 

Do you Have References? 

A successful attorney will have a long list of satisfied clients. You should be able to contact those clients to inquire about the attorney and their practice. That will give you a stronger sense of how they operate and support their clients. 

Just because an attorney offers a free initial consultation does not mean you are under any obligation to hire them. However, the more information you can get from that first meeting, the better off you’ll be for making the decision to hire the firm. 

Final Thoughts

Being a victim of a personal injury affects us physically and psychologically. So, you’ll want to have the best lawyer by your side to defend your cause without any further worries. By asking the six questions above, you’ll be in a good place to make the right choice.