The American Bar Association defines personal injury law as follows:

“Personal injury law, also known as tort law, is designed to protect you if you are injured or harmed because of someone else’s act or failure to act. In a successful tort action, the one who caused the injury or harm compensates the one who suffered the losses.”

The  U.S. Department of Justice estimated that some 16,397 tort cases were tried nationally. Considering that only 4% of personal injury cases actually go to trial and that most settle out of court, personal injury claims numbered 409,925. That is a lot of cases, many injuries, and much pain!

Should you be unfortunate enough to be the victim in a personal injury accident, you would be well-advised to hire an experienced lawyer who specializes in the field and preferably comes from your area.

The Miami-based personal injury lawyers at The Soffer Firm are a leading and highly respected firm who are 100% committed to protecting the rights of those who have been impacted by the negligence of other people. Therefore, if your accident happened in Florida, you are advised to seek them out.

Qualities to look for in a personal injury lawyer

You could rush out and just hire any lawyer, hold thumbs, and hope for the best.

We think it’s wiser to seek out the right lawyer for your case.

Spend a bit of time researching the lawyers in your area who specialize in personal injury law, go and meet with them, get a feel for who they are, how they operate.

Check out that they are as experienced as they claim to be. Be sure to assess the presence of the following qualities before entering a lawyer-client relationship:

Relevant personal injury experience

One of the most essential qualities is relevant experience for many years in the area that your personal injury falls into. This is easy to establish as you can simply ask the lawyer to expound on the exact nature of their expertise and recent amounts they have managed to secure for their clients.

Knowledge of the medical industry and familiarity with the injuries you have suffered

When lawyers specialize, they tend to accumulate a wealth of knowledge in their area of specialization. So when attorneys deal with personal injury claims day in and day out, they become familiar with the medical terms and treatments. Show the lawyer some of the medical reports and ask him to comment. Try to assess whether they handle the terminology and seem comfortable with the subject matter.

Extensive litigation experience

Although only 4 percent of personal injury cases actually go to court, your lawyer should have extensive litigation experience.

If they have extensive litigation experience, they have dealt with many personal injury claims.

Many of the skills required in litigation are also needed leading up to any potential litigation. For example, strong negotiating skills are required every step of the way. Litigious lawyers are often real fighters and will fight tooth and nail for their clients. Strong communication skills are also vitally important.

My lawyer has a personality

Remember that you might be working with your lawyer for an extended period before settling your case. Therefore, you need to find a lawyer that you can work with that blends with your personality and approach.

During your meeting with the lawyer, you should pick up on whether they are good listeners and whether they show empathy for your plight. Do they seem perceptive, and do they ask the right questions?

You should feel comfortable sharing information (even intensely personal information) with your lawyer. A good start is a lawyer who exudes confidence and shows a genuine interest in your case.

In a nutshell

Choose your legal representative carefully. Be choosy and selective. A bit of time spent at this juncture will be time well spent. And time well spent should result in the best possible outcome for you and your case.