“The prohibition against comparisons that cannot be factually substantiated would preclude a lawyer from representing that the lawyer or the lawyer’s law firm is “the best,” or “one of the best,” in a field of law.”
Tips
- Get to know your attorney
- See if you agree with their case plan
- Ensure you will have access to the attorney
- Ensure you like the attorney and don’t mind spending time with them
“Best” Attorney Comparisons not Allowed
Did you know?
According to the Florida Bar, the association that regulates attorneys, they do not allow any lawyer or firm to make comparisons such as “best accident attorney,” that try to position them as any better than another lawyer or firm. In Chapter 4 of the Florida Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct Section entitled Comparisons, they state:
“The prohibition against comparisons that cannot be factually substantiated would preclude a lawyer from representing that the lawyer or the lawyer’s law firm is “the best,” or “one of the best,” in a field of law. On the other hand, statements that the law firm is the largest in a specified geographic area, or is the only firm in a specified geographic area that devotes its services to a particular field of practice are permissible if they are true, because they are comparisons capable of being factually substantiated.”
Is Bigger Better?
As such, many car accident attorneys or injury lawyers try to position themselves as superior to others by saying that they are the biggest, or that they may have more experience than other attorneys. Gary Comer once said, “Worry about being better; bigger will take care of itself. Think one customer at a time and take care of each one the best way you can.” We agree.
Interview your Attorney
We always recommend that you interview your attorney and spend time getting to know they. This is extremely important since this is the person that will become your advocate to represent you to a jury, if necessary, and tell your story. Regardless if you have had a car accident, slip and fall, bicycle accident, motorcycle accident, or other serious injury, you want your lawyer to know you, your case and the best way to tell your story and present you to a jury.
Pick an attorney that will spend time with you
An effective attorney will want to spend time with you, your family and learn about your unique family dynamic. This is crucial for the attorney to be able to “step into your shoes.” An attorney who blindly goes off of your files alone will not be able to advocate the same as an attorney that knows the little details of how an injury has impacted your life and those around you. Go with someone that you feel comfortable with.
We are so incredibly passionate about the attorney/client relationship. We want to know ALL of the details of your injury and how that could impact your case. Since every case is unique, so is the approach we must take when our attorneys undertake a new client.
Take your Time
If you are looking for the “best” car accident attorney or the “best” injury attorney, we suggest you do some digging and spend some time with several attorneys to see who will be the best fit and best advocate for you specific needs. Search for someone close to you, that has had cases similar to yours and go over their case plan. Ask if they will put your case directly in litigation, or wait for an opportunity to negotiate with the insurance company. Often times putting your case directly into litigation can mean you are paying a higher fee and much higher costs. You should be confident in asking for lots of details regarding how they intend to proceed.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at 561-533-6500 or toll free at 888-GONZ-411. Even if you don’t choose our firm, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the many options you have. Our firm might not be the best fit for you or your case, but we feel that having an open and honest conversation not only benefits you, but we welcome any referrals from you in the future.
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