This article originally appeared on ventsmagazine.com

When someone else’s carelessness or reckless act causes you serious bodily injury, a personal injury attorney in South Florida can help. They will represent your interests while helping you navigate the complex legal system in search of justice. The best personal injury attorney in South Florida will fight for your right to the financial compensation you are rightfully due after an accidental injury that you did not cause. Hiring a personal injury attorney is an important decision and it’s critical to choose the very best one for your purposes, personality, and expectations.

If you’ve never been in this position before, it can be difficult to know where to start. The time after a serious personal injury can be traumatic and confusing, which is part of what makes it so critical to have a professional looking out for your best interests. Finding the right personal injury attorney South Florida can take a little effort but it is not impossible. Here are the top 4 critical questions to ask a personal injury attorney before deciding to hire them.

1. How much specialized experience do you have?

Each personal injury attorney in South Florida tends to specialize in a specific field that they are passionate about. Some of them prefer to focus on car injury cases while others may prefer to concentrate on nursing home abuse or large commercial trucking accidents. They gain valuable insights relevant to their practice specialty while building a strategic network of resources and contacts. Choosing to partner with an attorney who specializes in the specific field of your claim offers multiple advantages and increases your odds of success.

2. How many cases have you successfully litigated?

This is a great question to ask an attorney in South Florida before hiring them. Many attorneys have great records but that doesn’t always mean they’ve argued multiple cases in court. Many cases settle before ever going before a judge and some attorneys prefer this avenue to preparing for a case. Ask an attorney with a winning record how many cases they have litigated and how many cases have settled out of court. It’s crucial for a skilled personal injury attorney in South Florida to have both types of experience.

3. Who will be my point of contact throughout the process and what is your average response time?

You’ll likely have multiple questions throughout the entire claims and litigation process and that’s alright. However, it helps to know beforehand who your point of contact will be and what’s the best way to communicate with them. While your initial contact is with the attorney you may potentially hire, you may be directed to an assistant, a paralegal, or additional office staff going forward.

You’ll also want to know if it’s best to call or email when you have simple questions. The idea is to make the entire process as smooth and convenient as possible while still being productive. You should also look for an average response time of 24 hours or less. If this is not their protocol, then you may want to keep looking.

4. What are your fees and when are they due?

Finally, you’ll want to ask about an attorney’s fee schedule. You should know exactly how your attorney charges and when those fees are due. Some attorneys charge on a contingency basis meaning you only pay for their services if they win your case. This is usually a percentage of the winnings. Others may charge a retainer and an hourly rate. The personal injury attorney in South Florida you choose to work with should have a transparent fee schedule and you should know what it is up front.

Partner with a Great Personal Injury Attorney in South Florida Today

If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately and take the time to find the best one for your needs. Once you get some referrals or recommendations for personal injury attorneys in South Florida, ask these 4 important questions before deciding to hire them. Find out about their specialized experience and how many cases they’ve litigated successfully. You should also find out about their fee structure and your point of contact throughout the process. Asking these questions can help you determine the best personal injury attorney in South Florida for your needs.