How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa: 9 Questions to Ask

When you’re injured by another person’s negligence in Tampa, your choice of personal injury attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. There’s no shortage of attorneys practicing personal injury law, but you need to be sure that the firm you choose has the resources and experience you need to fight for what you deserve. The best way to find the right attorney for you is to schedule a consultation and ask direct questions that get you one step closer to choosing a lawyer.

Looking for help with your personal injury claim in Tampa? Find out why so many clients choose us. Call MattLaw Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers today to set up a consultation with our team now.

Are You Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer?

Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyers are certified by the Florida Bar as experts with verified, exceptional skills in litigation. Less than 7% of Florida lawyers achieve this status. A Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer possesses proven courtroom experience, strict ethical standards, and superior negotiation skills that often lead to higher, faster, and better-reasoned settlements.

How many cases like mine have you handled in Tampa?

Local experience really matters when it comes to personal injury claims. While there are attorneys who handle cases all over Florida, you definitely want one with extensive experience in Tampa. The unique traffic patterns and high-risk roadways of Tampa put drivers in unusual situations, and your attorney should be able to pinpoint what went wrong and how different parties may have contributed. Furthermore, working with a local attorney means tapping into their knowledge of the local court system, how insurance companies in your area negotiate, and how to build cases around known issues in your region.

What’s your track record with settlements vs. trials?

The vast majority of personal injury claims are settled without ever seeing a courtroom, but that doesn’t mean that trial experience doesn’t matter. Insurance companies are often only willing to negotiate in good faith when they genuinely believe a lawyer is ready to take them to court if they don’t play fair. An attorney with no trial experience may face far more pushback from an insurance company, and that could severely limit how much you recover.

What’s your fee structure like?

Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency (subject to Florida Bar rules that regulate contingency fee agreements). This arrangement means that your attorney’s fee is taken out of whatever they secure for you, whether it be a settlement or jury award. You want to know what percentage they take.

Don’t forget to ask about case costs as well. Beyond the actual fee your attorney charges, there are other costs associated with a personal injury claim—medical records printing, filing fees, expert witness fees, and other expenses that can add up quickly. It’s important to know if you’ll be responsible for those fees if your case is unsuccessful.

Will you refer my case to some other lawyer, or will you keep the case and handle my case until the end?

You deserve to know who you will be working with throughout your case. If you meet with an attorney during your consultation, ask whether they will be directly working on your case or handing it off. You deserve to know that. It’s also recommended that you find out how often you’ll be able to get in touch with the party overseeing your case. Will you be able to ask questions or request updates, or does their availability limit their ability to respond?

Realistically, how much is my case worth?

This question can tell you a lot about the attorney you’re talking to. You aren’t looking for a guarantee, just an honest appraisal of your case. A skilled lawyer can discuss potential categories of damages and factors that affect case value, without guaranteeing outcomes. If a lawyer jumps right to numbers that sound too good to be true, be wary—especially if you haven’t even talked about your case yet. You don’t want to get stuck with a lawyer who promises a big number to get your business and then encourages you to accept the first offer that comes your way.

What timeline do you anticipate?

Every personal injury claim is different. After learning a little more about your case, an attorney should be able to give you a rough timeframe of when they expect to either settle or know that your case needs to go to court. Again, you aren’t looking for a guarantee—but you do deserve to know some idea of how long you’ll be going through this process.

Which types of expert witnesses do you work with?

You don’t always need expert witnesses for personal injury cases, but having the necessary contacts can put you in a stronger position for negotiations. If an attorney has connections to accident reconstruction experts, vocational experts, medical experts in different specialties, and others who can comment on the details of your case, that may give you some peace of mind if your case is complicated.

Do you see weak spots in my case? If so, where?

Every case has weaknesses. An attorney who can be honest with you about the weak spots in your claim is one who you can trust to communicate openly with you. Common challenges include pre-existing injuries, a delay in medical treatment, low policy limits, or weak evidence.

As you discuss your case with an attorney, you’ll get a better understanding of how they operate and whether or not the service they provide aligns with what you need from your case.

Ready to start your case? Let’s talk.

At MattLaw Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we welcome questions and want to give you all the information you need to decide if we’re a good fit for your legal needs. Let’s talk more—schedule a consultation online or call us today to get started.