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If you have been seriously injured in an accident, you need experienced legal representation on your side. But, with so many Fort Myers personal injury lawyers, how do you choose the right one for your specific situation?

7 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer to represent you. When choosing between Fort Myers personal injury lawyers, we recommend that you consider the following questions:

1. Does the Lawyer Focus on Personal Injury Representation?

Representing accident victims is very different from handling any other type of legal matter. Not only does it require in-depth knowledge of Florida’s personal injury laws, but it also requires knowledge of forensics, investigative techniques, insurance practices, and the long-term effects of traumatic injuries.

With this in mind, it is crucial to choose a lawyer who focuses solely on personal injury cases. Other lawyers may be capable of handling your case based on their legal training and general knowledge of relevant laws. However, if you choose a lawyer who only represents accident victims in personal injury cases, this will give you confidence that the attorney has the knowledge and skills required to help you get the most compensation for your accident-related losses.

2. Does the Lawyer Have Significant Experience in Personal Injury Law?

In addition to choosing a lawyer who focuses on personal injury representation, it is also a good idea to choose a lawyer who has significant experience in personal injury law. If a lawyer has been helping accident victims recover compensation for decades, this suggests that (i) the lawyer knows what he or she is doing, and (ii) accident victims trust the lawyer to help them recover.

It is important to determine if the lawyer is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar Association.  Only 1% of the lawyers in the State of Florida are Board Certified in Civil Trial.  While any lawyer can advertise, only certified attorneys are allowed to identify themselves as “specialists.”  Certification is the highest level of recognition by the Florida Bar that Fort Myers personal injury lawyers’ years of practice have been recognized by the Florida Bar for competency and experience.  

3. Does the Lawyer Have a Proven Track Record?

When you have a personal injury claim, there are no guarantees. Even if a lawyer has helped numerous accident victims obtain six-figure and seven-figure settlements, this does not mean that the lawyer will be able to obtain a similar result for you.

With that said, past results still matter. If a personal injury lawyer has a proven record of success, this suggests that the lawyer is capable of providing effective representation when the facts support his or her clients’ claims. To learn more about the lawyer’s track record, you can ask if the lawyer is a member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums?

4. What Do the Lawyer’s Past Clients Say?

Online client ratings and testimonials offer a first-hand account of what you can expect when you choose a lawyer to represent you. If a lawyer consistently receives four and five-star ratings on Google, Avvo and Lawyer.com, this is often a good sign.

In addition to checking lawyers’ online ratings, we recommend reading individual clients’ testimonials as well. These testimonials will tell you why clients recommend their lawyers, and you can decide for yourself if what matters to them also matters to you.

5. Does the Lawyer Have a Strong Reputation in the Legal Community?

If a personal injury lawyer has a strong reputation in the legal community, this is often a good sign as well. To learn about a lawyer’s reputation, you can research the answers to questions such as:

• Is the lawyer Board Certified by the Florida Bar?
• Is the lawyer rated by Super Lawyers?
• Does the lawyer have a Peer-Reviewed “AV Preeminent” rating on Martindale-Hubbell?
• Is the lawyer a member of The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers?
• Has the lawyer received any awards for outstanding representation of clients?

Most Fort Myers personal injury lawyers who have these credentials will post information about them on their websites. You should also feel free to ask about a lawyer’s credentials during your free initial consultation.

6. Is the Lawyer Able to Assist You Immediately?

When you have a personal injury claim, you do not have time to waste. You need to take appropriate steps to protect your legal rights. You also need to know what not to do in the aftermath of your accident, and your lawyer needs to have time to gather evidence at the scene of the accident before it disappears.

As a result, it is important to choose a lawyer who is able to assist you immediately. If you cannot reach a specific attorney or get one to call you back, you will most likely want to contact another lawyer. Not only could waiting for a call back potentially lead to challenges with your claim, but it could also be a sign of what you can expect if you hire that particular lawyer to represent you.

7. Do You Feel Confident that the Lawyer is the Right Choice for You?

Finally, while client reviews and peer recommendations can be informative, you ultimately need to feel confident that the lawyer is the right choice for you. You will be working closely with your lawyer and sharing some deeply personal information, so it is important that you fully trust your lawyer.  

If you suffered serious injuries in an accident, the outcome of your personal injury claim could truly impact the rest of your life. This is important to keep in mind. The outcome of your claim matters; and, when your claim is over, you should be able to rest easy knowing that you made the right decision when choosing legal representation.

Contact the Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Were you seriously injured in an accident in Fort Myers? If so, we encourage you to get in touch. To discuss your case with personal injury lawyer Randall L. Spivey in confidence, please call 888-477-4839 or request a free consultation online now.