Unfortunately, people who need personal injury lawyers rarely have plenty of spare time to devote to searching for a great personal injury attorney. You or a loved one has likely been injured in a car accident, in the workplace or somehow by another person’s negligence. You need a good attorney that’s going to look out for your rights and be your advocate during a difficult time.

Do Your Research

Finding a great lawyer starts with research. Check law firm directories for attorneys in Southwest Florida. Look for independent reviews. Ask friends, coworkers or trusted acquaintances that have been in similar situations. Word of mouth is a great way to find a reputable law firm. Equally important, you need to know what to avoid when searching for a personal injury lawyer.

Avoid the “Settlement Mills”

“Settlement mills” are typically characterized by enormous advertising budgets and impersonal case management. These mill-type law firms focus on quantity rather than quality. These law firms typically have cozy working relationships with insurance adjusters and rarely go to court for their clients. If you’re not sure if your potential attorney is part of a settlement mill, ask a lot of questions.

Ask Questions

Before you hire a personal injury attorney, ask him or her plenty of questions. Most personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations, so it doesn’t cost you anything to find out about your potential lawyer. Listed below are a few important questions to ask at your first meeting.

Questions for the Attorney

• How long have you been practicing in the personal injury field?
• Do you usually represent plaintiffs or defendants? (You want to choose a lawyer who primarily represents plaintiffs.)
• Would you be handling my case personally or passing it along to somebody else in the firm?  If another lawyer is going to handle your case, you should also speak with him or her.
• Do you have a settlement goal in mind?
• How often do you go to trial?
• How will you get paid?

With a little bit of research and know-how, you can confidently choose a reputable and professional personal injury lawyer. Don’t pick the first attorney you see on a billboard. Do a little research, call the law firm, schedule an appointment and ask plenty of questions.

Legal Disclaimer: The above guidelines are educational in nature and do not create an attorney/client relationship. It is highly recommended that all Florida accident victims contact an experienced local Florida personal injury attorney to assist them with specific facts and circumstances regarding their motor vehicle accident. If you have been the victim of a motor vehicle accident in Florida, then feel free to contact Attorney Weldon toll free at (877) 730-5180 or via e-mail atinfo@weldonrothman.com

Richard L. Weldon, II is an experienced Florida personal injury attorney who has obtained the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He is the managing attorney of Weldon & Rothman, PL – a Southwest Florida law firm with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota.