How to Choose the Best Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney? 2024

The state of Florida is one of the highest-ranking states in terms of the amount of car accidents that occur on a yearly basis. Many Florida residents are faced with questions and concerns that relate to car accidents. Car accidents can become complex legal cases and can involve multiple parties and insurance companies. An important question to consider is how to choose the best Jacksonville car accident attorney.

Attorney Fees

An important consideration when choosing the right car accident attorney in Jacksonville is understanding the fee structure. It is typical for personal injury attorneys to charge a contingency fee. This means that the attorney’s fee structure is fully dependent upon the awarded settlement of the case. If the case leads to a successful awarding of a settlement, then the attorney will receive a percentage of the settlement. If the case does not successfully lead to a settlement, then the attorney does not receive any payment.

This contingency fee can generally range from 33% to 40% of the settlement. Contingency fees can be beneficial to clients who may not have the resources to pay for legal representation upfront or out of pocket. Under a typical contingency fee, all medical bills related to the car accident and any other relevant case expenses are not paid until the settlement is awarded. This fee structure allows the client to not have to make any payments unless the case is won by the attorney.

Other fee structures that are less common in personal injury cases but could be implemented are fee-based and hourly. A fee-based structure is where an attorney will charge an upfront fee regardless of the outcome of the case. An hourly fee structure is where the attorney will bill for each hour of work that they put into the case. These fee structures are much less common for personal injury cases as they often require upfront payments regardless of the success of the case.

Reputation and Experience Matters

When looking for legal representation, the reputation of the law firm and the attorney should be critical to the decision-making process. You want to make sure that your attorney is qualified, prepared, and understands your case at every level. Your attorney will be advocating for you to get the compensation you need to help you recover from your injuries and damages. You want that attorney to have a substantial history of successfully winning cases for their clients.

You also want to select an attorney that has proven experience. An attorney with proven experience can help guide you through the claim process and will often give you sound advice. It can provide some much-needed relief in knowing that your attorney has experience in handling similar cases to your own. An experienced attorney can help make the claim process as smooth as possible so that you can focus on recovery.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does an Attorney Charge for a Car Accident in Florida?

A: Attorney fees can often vary depending on the complexity of the car accident case. Each car accident is different and unique in its own way and should be treated as such. Attorney fees can also depend on the fee structure that the attorney implements for the case. In general, car accident and personal injury attorneys will charge a contingency fee. This means that the attorney’s fees are contingent upon the settlement amount. This contingency fee can range anywhere from 33% to 40%.

Q: Should I Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident in Florida?

A: It is generally recommended to engage the counsel of an experienced attorney immediately after a car accident. Once you have received the medical attention that you need immediately after the accident, an attorney should be engaged. An attorney can ensure that you receive a fair and equitable case and also that you receive the fair compensation that you deserve for your injuries. You deserve to have your rights protected and the faulty party should be held accountable for their actions.

Q: What Happens If You Are at Fault in a Car Accident in Florida?

A: The state of Florida follows the pure comparative fault rule. This means that each party involved in a car accident is assigned a percentage of the blame for the accident based on their negligence. This means that even if you were found responsible or partly responsible for a car accident, you may still be eligible for compensation. This compensation could cover your medical expenses, lost income, or other related expenses. However, your compensation would likely be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Q: How Long Do You Have to Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Florida?

A: The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in the state of Florida is four years from the date of the accident. This means that you have up to four years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury or property damage claim. If you wait until after four years from the date of your car accident to engage a lawyer, then in all likelihood, you will not be able to seek compensation for your injuries or damages.

Attorneys You Can Trust

At Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys, our legal team understands the difficulty of not knowing exactly what to do following a car accident. Car accidents can be a challenging and life-altering situation for all parties involved. It can be especially challenging if there is a lack of cooperation from other parties or from insurance companies. Our attorneys at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys can help provide you with the answers you need so you can feel prepared for this situation.

The attorneys at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals all over the state of Florida resolve their personal injury and property damage cases. No matter the situation, our legal team is ready and able to assist in all matters concerning personal injury and property damages in the state of Florida. Contact our attorneys to see how we can provide valuable assistance in getting your case resolved.