There’s an abundance of personal injury law firms out there, but they don’t all offer the same level of expertise and professionalism. If you’ve suffered a personal injury and don’t believe you’re being treated fairly by the insurance company, you may be thinking about calling a personal injury lawyer.

People who have never worked with attorneys before can find the search quite daunting. Florida is saturated with personal injury law firms. While your number of choices can make the decision a bit harder, it’s better to have too many options than too few.

Make sure to take advantage of the free consultations personal injury lawyers offer. Ask good questions and try to determine their level of experience. Make sure to learn about their track record of case results.

There are some indicators that a lawyer might not be a good fit for you. Try to spot these indicators beforehand. You can change lawyers during your claim if you don’t feel like you’re being given good representation, but it’s generally better to choose right at the start of the claim process.

They Treat You Like a Number, Not a Person

A good attorney will dedicate the necessary time and resources to build a rapport with each client. Just because a law firm is big doesn’t mean they don’t provide individual attention.

Large personal injury law firms have a lot of institutional experience and resources, which allows them to aggressively investigate and research personal injury cases.

Small, single-lawyer law firms generally can’t handle many cases simultaneously. This can result in some clients being shortchanged when the personal injury lawyer gets overwhelmed by their case load.

They Don’t Return Your Calls or Messages

Failure to maintain good communication is generally a bad sign. You shouldn’t expect daily updates from your attorney, especially if there’s no news to share, but a good lawyer should make an effort to answer your questions or address your concerns.

Limited or No Trial Experience

Personal injury lawyers fall into many categories. Some primarily handle car accidents, others focus entirely on workers’ compensation cases. Many personal injury law firms handle all types of injuries, from slip and falls to motorcycle accidents.

Trial attorneys can be put in a category all their own. There are many personal injury attorneys who virtually never enter a courtroom. They are professional negotiators who look for the quick wins by always agreeing to compromise with the insurance company. They finish cases faster, but they often leave money on the table.

If a personal injury lawyer is willing to settle for less compensation to avoid a trial, chances are good they either don’t have sufficient experience or aren’t willing to put in the effort to fight for their client. Either way, you should look for attorneys with trial experience just in case your personal injury claim ends up in court.

Poor Track Record of Victories

Successful lawyers will likely want to share their accomplishments with their prospective clients. Whether it be a framed newspaper article, a blog or a video showcasing their recent victories, a good lawyer doesn’t just talk the talk, they back it up with tangible facts and case results.

If your lawyer is vague about their legal victories or doesn’t have much to show other than a case they won several years ago, they might not be the right lawyer for your case.

When you’re speaking with an attorney during your free consultation, try to learn about their experience with cases like yours.

If your spouse or child recently suffered a catastrophic brain injury, you might want to avoid law firms with no experience representing clients with spinal cord or head injuries. Lawyers with experience handling catastrophic injuries understand how to build strong cases based on relevant evidence, medical testimony and records. They have experience maximizing both economic and non-economic damages in those situations.