Legally reviewed by: Stan Gipe, Esq., Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar
Quick answer: To choose a Florida personal injury lawyer, confirm the lawyer is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar with no disciplinary history. Then check for board certification in civil trial law, ask how often the firm takes cases to trial, and confirm you owe no fee unless the firm wins your case.
The wrong lawyer can cost you months and leave money on the table. This checklist walks you through what to verify before you hire anyone, using The Florida Bar’s own tools. It was reviewed by Stan Gipe, a Dolman Law Group trial attorney who has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 2018.
1. Verify the Lawyer With The Florida Bar
Only lawyers licensed by The Florida Bar can practice law in Florida. Before your first consultation, search the Florida Bar member directory and confirm:
- The lawyer is a member in good standing
- How long the lawyer has been licensed
- Whether the lawyer has any public discipline
The Bar’s consumer guide, How to Find a Lawyer in Florida, explains what else to look for. The check takes a few minutes and screens out lawyers who should not be handling your case.
2. Look for Board Certification in Civil Trial Law
Board certification in civil trial law is a voluntary credential awarded by The Florida Bar, and only a small share of Florida lawyers hold it. A lawyer certified in civil trial law has met the Bar’s standards for trial experience, peer review, and continuing education. Ask whether the lawyer who will handle your case is certified, and confirm it in the Bar’s directory.
At Dolman Law Group, this guide was reviewed by Stan Gipe, who has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 2018.
3. Ask About Trial Experience, Not Just Settlements
Most injury claims settle. But an insurer decides how much to offer based partly on whether it believes your lawyer will actually go to court. Ask these questions:
- How many cases has the firm tried in Florida courts?
- Will you file a lawsuit if the insurer’s offer is too low?
- Who will try my case if it does not settle?
A firm that settles every case and a firm that tries every case are both warning signs. You want a firm that does both and chooses the path that fits your claim. Dolman Law Group is a trial-focused firm that pursues the full value of a claim rather than accepting quick or insufficient settlements.
4. Understand How You Pay
Personal injury lawyers in Florida usually work on a contingency fee. At Dolman Law Group, you pay no fee unless we win your case. There is no retainer and no hourly billing. Whichever firm you consider, get the fee agreement in writing and ask what happens to case costs if there is no recovery.
5. Choose a Lawyer Who Knows Florida Law and Courts
It can be tempting to hire a large national firm. In practice, you are usually better served by a lawyer who has spent a career in Florida. Tort law relies heavily on court decisions, and many of those decisions are state specific. A Florida lawyer can advise you on Florida law without starting from scratch.
A local lawyer will also understand:
- The statute of limitations, the legal deadline for filing your claim. Under section 95.11, Florida Statutes, most negligence claims, including car accidents, must be filed within two years for injuries that happened on or after March 24, 2023. Florida cut this deadline from four years to two in 2023. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death, and medical malpractice claims generally within two years of when the malpractice was discovered or should have been discovered. Different deadlines and notice rules apply in some cases, such as claims against government agencies, so speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
- How the local court system works, including filing deadlines, court locations, and e-filing
- How local judges and opposing counsel tend to approach cases
- Florida’s rules on punitive damages
6. Review Their Results the Right Way
Look at the firm’s published results to see which types of cases it handles and how it approaches them. Does it settle everything? Does it go to trial when an offer is too low? Remember that results from other cases do not guarantee, warrant, or predict the outcome of yours.
7. Watch for Red Flags
- Guarantees of a specific result or dollar amount
- Pressure to sign on the spot
- No written fee agreement
- A lawyer you cannot find in the Florida Bar directory
- No clear answer on who will actually handle your case
Choosing a Florida Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are among the most common reasons people look for a lawyer in Florida. A good Florida car accident lawyer will investigate the crash, gather the police report, medical records, and other evidence, and consult experts when needed to assess what your claim may be worth. The lawyer should also handle communications with insurers, including your own PIP insurer, and explain whether your best path is an insurance claim or a lawsuit. For crashes on or after March 24, 2023, most Florida car accident lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the crash.
When you compare firms, ask whether they handle car accident cases regularly, who will communicate with the insurance companies for you, and whether they are prepared to litigate if settlement talks fail. Dolman Law Group has offices on both Florida coasts, offers free consultations, and has car accident lawyers available 24/7. Learn more on our Florida car accident lawyer page.
Questions to Ask at Your Free Consultation
Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation. Use it to learn about the process and to decide whether you are comfortable with the lawyer. Consider asking:
- How many years have you practiced personal injury law?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
- Are you board certified, and who will try my case if it goes to trial?
- Will you handle my case directly? If not, who will I work with?
- What is your payment structure? Do I owe anything if I do not win?
- Are there any additional expenses I should know about?
- What do you think my case is worth?
- How long will the process take?
- What resources does your firm have available for my case?
To talk with a Dolman Law Group attorney about your case, schedule a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a Florida lawyer is licensed?
Search The Florida Bar’s member directory. It shows whether a lawyer is a member in good standing and lists any public discipline.
What does board certified mean for a Florida lawyer?
Board certification is a voluntary credential awarded by The Florida Bar in a specific area of law, such as civil trial. It reflects demonstrated experience and peer review in that area.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida?
For most negligence claims, including car accidents, you have two years from the date of the injury if it happened on or after March 24, 2023. Injuries before that date generally fall under the older four-year deadline. Other deadlines apply to wrongful death, medical malpractice, and claims against government agencies.
What does a Florida car accident lawyer cost?
At Dolman Law Group, you pay no fee unless we win your case.
