Choosing a personal injury lawyer is one of the most important financial and personal decisions you will make after an injury.

The reality is that from the moment you are injured, insurance companies have teams working to minimize what they pay. Meanwhile, the clock on legal deadlines has already started ticking. In Florida, for any incident occurring after March 24, 2023, you generally have only two years to file a lawsuit. 

You are not a legal strategist, and you shouldn’t have to become one while you’re trying to heal. That’s why we created this guide. Whether you ultimately choose to work with our firm or another, we believe you deserve the tools to make the best possible choice. 

If you have questions about your injury, call our team at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. for a free consultation at (800) 800-2575.

How to choose the best personal injury lawyer for your case

Finding the right lawyer after an injury can protect your rights, increase your compensation, and give you peace of mind.

  • Start with referrals from trusted professionals, then check The Florida Bar for good standing and disciplinary history.
  • Look for personal injury focus—firms that handle these cases daily know insurance tactics and local courts.
  • Review track record for settlements, verdicts, and willingness to go to trial.
  • Ask clear questions about who will handle your case, how they communicate, and their approach to settlement vs. trial.
  • Avoid red flags like guaranteed outcomes, vague answers, or pressure to sign immediately.
  • Understand fees—most work on contingency, meaning no payment unless you win.
  • Consider comparative fault laws in Florida, which can reduce or bar recovery if fault exceeds 50%.

First, Let’s Be Clear: Why You Need a Lawyer in the First Place

Many people wonder if they can handle the claim themselves, especially if the insurance company seems friendly and makes a quick offer. This is a common and costly misconception.

The Insurance Adjuster’s Role

An adjuster’s job is to protect the insurance company’s financial interests, not yours. Their primary objective is to settle your claim for the lowest amount possible. They are trained negotiators who handle claims every day. Their early offers are based on the hope that you do not yet understand the full extent of your damages.

What a Lawyer Does That You Cannot

A law firm dedicated to personal injury works to level the playing field. While you focus on getting back on your feet, your legal team is performing a series of methodical tasks that are difficult for an individual to manage.

  • Investigating and Preserving Evidence: We immediately work to gather police reports, witness statements, security camera footage, and internal company documents like maintenance logs that could disappear or be destroyed over time. This evidence forms the foundation of a strong claim.
  • Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim: This goes far beyond your current medical bills. A comprehensive valuation includes future medical treatments, rehabilitation costs, lost earning capacity if your ability to work has changed, physical pain, and the significant emotional toll of the injury. Early settlement offers are a trap that rarely account for these long-term costs.
  • Handling All Communications: We take over all calls, emails, and paperwork from the insurance companies. This stops the constant, stressful contact that pushes you toward an unfair settlement just to make it stop.
  • Meeting Legal Deadlines and Requirements: We ensure all necessary documents are filed correctly and on time according to the Florida Statutes that govern negligence claims. Missing a deadline almost always mean losing your right to compensation entirely.

The Search: Finding Potential Candidates for Your Case

Start with Trusted Referrals, Not Just Google

While online searches are a tool, they shouldn’t be your only one. Begin by asking other professionals you trust—such as your primary care physician, an accountant, or even another attorney you may know who practices in a different field. Professionals have networks and can refer you to a firm with a solid reputation.

Verify Their Standing with The Florida Bar

Before you even make a call, perform a quick check. Go to The Florida Bar’s official website and use their member directory to look up any attorney you are considering. Confirm that they are listed as “in good standing” and check for any public disciplinary history. This is a non-negotiable first step to ensure you are dealing with a licensed professional without a history of ethical violations.

Look at Online Reviews for Patterns

The vast majority of people read online reviews before making a decision. When you look at reviews on Google or other platforms, don’t just fixate on the star rating. Instead, read the comments and look for consistent themes. Do multiple clients praise the firm’s communication? Do they mention feeling supported and informed throughout the process? Note how the firm responds to the rare negative review—a professional and constructive response is more telling than a string of five-star ratings.

Use Peer-Review Platforms as a Starting Point

Websites like Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, and Super Lawyers provide another layer of information. Martindale-Hubbell, in particular, has a long-standing system where attorneys are reviewed by their peers—i.e. other lawyers and judges. An “AV Preeminent” rating is the highest possible mark, indicating strong legal ability and high ethical standards. 

The Vetting Process: Questions That Reveal True Competence

Once you have a shortlist of potential firms, the goal is to move beyond the online persona and understand their specific approach. The following questions will help you uncover that information during your initial conversations.

Does the Firm Focus on Personal Injury?

You wouldn’t ask your family doctor to perform heart surgery. Likewise, you want a law firm that dedicates its practice primarily to personal injury law. A firm that handles personal injury cases day in and day out will be deeply familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies, the intricacies of the local court system, and the medical complexities associated with serious injuries.

Can They Show a Verifiable Track Record?

While past results never guarantee a future outcome, a firm’s history is a strong indicator of its experience. A law firm should be transparent about its work. Look for a website that isn’t afraid to list case results, client testimonials, or settlement amounts. It shows confidence in their past performance and a willingness to be judged on their record.

Are They Willing and Able to Take Your Case to Trial?

Many attorneys have little to no experience in a courtroom; their business model is based on settling every case as quickly as possible. Insurance companies keep detailed records of this. They know which law firms will accept a low offer to avoid going to trial and which ones have a reputation for being prepared to litigate.

A firm’s reputation for being trial-ready is one of the most powerful sources of leverage in settlement negotiations. It forces the insurance company to evaluate your claim based on what a jury might award, not just what they want to pay.

Who Will Be Your Point of Contact?

At some larger firms, you might meet with a senior partner during the initial consultation, only to have your case passed down to a more junior associate or paralegal for day-to-day handling. It is perfectly reasonable to ask who your primary point of contact will be. You should also ask about the firm’s system for keeping you informed about important developments in your case. Consistent communication is key to a healthy attorney-client relationship.

The Initial Consultation: A Two-Way Interview

The free consultation is is a two-way interview. You are hiring someone for a profoundly important role, and you should come prepared to ask direct questions. This is your opportunity to assess not only their knowledge but also whether their approach feels right for you.

Key Questions to Ask

  • About Your Case: “Based on what I’ve shared with you, what do you see as the biggest strengths and weaknesses of my case?”
  • About Their Process: “What is your firm’s general philosophy on settling cases versus taking them to trial?”
  • About Communication: “If I become a client, what is your process for updating me on my case status, and how quickly can I expect a response if I call or email?”
  • About Fees: “Can you walk me through your contingency fee agreement line by line and explain any costs I might be responsible for, even if we don’t win?”

Red Flags to Watch For

  • A Guarantee of Victory: It is an ethical violation for a lawyer to guarantee a specific outcome. A confident lawyer will talk about their experience and approach, not make promises they can’t keep.
  • Pressure to Sign Immediately: A reputable firm will encourage you to take the time you need to make a considered decision. High-pressure sales tactics are a major red flag.
  • Vague Answers: If a lawyer cannot clearly explain their fee structure, their process for handling cases, or the potential challenges in your case, it may be a sign of inexperience or a lack of transparency. Trust your instincts and walk away.

You will hear certain terms during this process. A good lawyer will explain them clearly, but understanding the basics beforehand will empower you in your conversations.

Negligence: This is the legal foundation of almost every personal injury case. In simple terms, it’s a legal concept that means we have to prove four things: that the other party had a duty to act with reasonable care, that they breached that duty, that their failure caused your injury, and that you suffered actual damages as a result.

Contingency Fee: This is the standard payment arrangement in personal injury cases. It simply means you pay no attorney’s fees unless and until we recover money for you. The fee is a percentage of the total settlement or jury award. This structure aligns our interests with yours: we only get paid if you get paid.

Comparative Fault: Florida uses a “modified comparative fault” system. This legal concept means that your potential compensation could be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident. For example, if a jury determines you were 10% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 10%. However, under the new law, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages at all. A key part of our work is to build a case that minimizes any percentage of fault unfairly assigned to you.

Your Recovery is a Right, Not a Battle. Let Us Handle the Details.

Making the right choice of legal representation is the first and most important step in protecting your physical and financial future. You need a team that has the experience, the resources, and the resolve to see your case through to a just conclusion. You have been through enough already.

Contact Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. today for a free, no-obligation conversation about your case. Call us at (800) 800-2575 or visit our offices to learn how we can help.


Frequently Asked Questions About How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer

The insurance company already offered me money. Shouldn’t I just take it?

You should never accept an initial offer without speaking to an attorney. The first offer is almost always a “lowball” amount. It is a calculated business tactic designed to make your claim go away quickly and cheaply, often before the full extent of your injuries and long-term financial losses are even known. Accepting it means signing away your right to pursue any further compensation, even if your pain flares up years later.

How do I know if I have a valid personal injury case?

You likely have a valid case if you were injured because of someone else’s carelessness—whether in a car crash, a fall on an unsafe property, or due to a defective product. But the only way to know for sure is to discuss the specific details of your situation in a free, no-obligation consultation with a personal injury lawyer.

What if I’m partially at fault for the accident?

Even if you believe you were partially at fault, you should not assume you don’t have a case. As mentioned earlier, Florida’s comparative fault rules allow for recovery as long as you are not found to be more than 50% responsible. Let us assess the facts before you make any conclusions.

How long will it take to resolve my personal injury case in Florida?

There is no set timeline. A straightforward case with clear evidence and minor injuries might settle in a few months. However, a complex case involving a commercial truck, disputed fault, or serious injuries requiring long-term medical care could take a year or more to resolve. If a lawsuit is filed, the court process itself dictates much of the timeline. Be wary of any lawyer who promises a quick payout; a thorough and fair result takes time to build.