The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 2,834,500 non-fatal injuries and illnesses in the private industry sector in 2018. In 2017 there were 402,385 car accidents in the state of Florida.

Not all personal injuries are caused by an accident involving a car or while at work. And while some result in minor injuries, some can result in life-altering injuries including death.

When it’s serious, you not only need the right medical attention, you need the right attorney in your corner. But don’t just hire the first personal injury lawyer in Tampa you find.

It’s vital to find a personal injury protection attorney in Tampa who understands and has experience working on your type of case. We want to help you get the right kind of help. Keep reading to learn how to find a personal injury lawyer in Tampa.

Ask Friends and Family to Recommend a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa

If you know anyone who has been the victim of a personal injury, ask them who represented their case. However, just because you have a recommendation, it doesn’t mean that the attorney is a perfect match for you.

Your case may be vastly different and require a different skillset. You may not like or trust the attorney your friend used. It may also be that the recommended attorney doesn’t have time or interest in your case.

However, get the attorney’s name and number. Then ask the person recommending the personal injury attorney in Tampa what they liked most and least about working with their lawyer and what the outcome of their case was.

Ask an Attorney You Know for a Recommendation

If you know a lawyer personally, even if they don’t practice personal injury law, they may be able to recommend someone they know, like, and trust who does.

Most lawyers have a ton of contacts so even if they don’t know of one directly, they might be able to use their contacts to help you find a personal injury attorney.

Do Some Online Research

Even if a personal injury attorney comes highly recommended, always do some extra research yourself. You should really find two or three possible lawyers that you think might be a good fit for your case.

If you don’t already have a few lawyers, sites like the Hillsborough County Bar Association website are a good source for you to find a few attorneys who specialize in personal injury law.

View their Website and Online Reviews

Once you have a few attorney’s names already, check out their website and if they have any social media presence. Make sure their website and information look professional.

See if there are any online reviews. While testimonials on their website are nice, they’re also controlled by the attorney’s webmaster. Online review sites such as their Google Business Listing, Avvo or Lawyers.com can help you get a good idea of which attorney is best for you.

Interview Several Personal Injury Attorneys

Once you have two or three personal injury attorneys you think are a good fit for your case, it’s time to begin interviewing them. Here are a few things you want to ask about during the interview phase:

• Years of experience
• Reputation
• Disciplinary record
• Availability

It’s important to find a personal injury attorney who has years of experience working on cases just like yours.

Winning Results

Especially one who has a track record for winning.

But finding the right attorney also means finding one that is willing to fight for you because he or she thinks you have a winning case. Ask them why they think your case is winnable.

Their Fee Structure

And make sure to ask about their fees. Every attorney sets up their own fee structure.

Some attorneys don’t have you pay until you win your case. This is better for those who are on a budget.

Make sure you understand and agree to the fee structure before you get started. You don’t want to win and have most of the money go to your attorney.

Their Team

Find out who will be working on your case. While more experienced lawyer charge more, they’re also worth it.

It could spell trouble for your case if less experienced attorneys or paralegals are primarily responsible for doing most of the work.

You should also head to their office to observe what it’s like and meet with the lead attorney on your team. It should be a professional setting and you should feel comfortable with what you witness while you’re there.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Always trust your gut. If you don’t like or trust an attorney, keep looking until you find one you do like and trust.

Here are a few other red flags to look out for:

Poor Communication

Good communication is key. If they won’t communicate with you directly or don’t respond in a timely manner, keep searching.

Find out who will be working on your case. Ask how and when they plan to communicate with you. Ask who will be the main person communicating with you.

Pushing Deadlines

If your attorney misses deadlines, especially before you hire him or her, it’s not going to get better. And that could spell drastic results in your case.

No References

Ask for references. Then contact those references to ask how they liked working with the attorney in question.

Ask what they liked most and least about working with the attorney. If the attorney won’t provide references, find someone who will.

Choosing Between a Small and Large Firm

Some people assume that a larger firm is impressive to insurance companies, but that’s not true. A large law firm may end up spending more money on expenses which means less money for you in the end.

Smaller offices often put in more time working on a case that insurance companies are aware of. That can translate into a larger settlement offer for you.

Contact Us

Finding the right personal injury lawyer in Tampa means getting you the help you need and deserve. We believe we’re the right choice for you.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today for your free consultation.