If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s wrongdoing, it’s smart to retain the services of a local personal injury attorney. Even if your injuries seem relatively minor at first, swift action can preserve your legal rights should your condition worsen. An experienced local lawyer can help you explore all avenues for a rightful, maximum recovery.
At Rue & Ziffra, our Florida personal injury attorneys have served clients throughout the state for more than 40 years. Our aggressive advocacy has secured millions of dollars for clients just like you in settlements and trial verdicts. We’re eager to apply our skills and local knowledge to your case.
Whether you’re a Florida resident or a visitor here on vacation or business, call us anytime, 24/7 to schedule your free consultation.
Certain state and federal laws apply to broad regions of the United States, but states and municipalities have their own unique legal codes and judicial customs. Local personal injury lawyers are generally focused on the laws and legal conventions of their own area and know how to successfully navigate the system.
Some specific benefits a local attorney can offer in your personal injury case include:
Generally speaking, there are two main factors to consider before you decide on a local lawyer. The first is jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is a legal term describing the authority of a particular entity or area to make lawful judgments and decisions. This brings us to the second factor, bar certification. When a lawyer passes a bar exam in a particular jurisdiction, they receive certification to practice law in that area of jurisdiction.
To represent you, a lawyer usually must have been admitted to the bar in the state where you plan to take legal action, which will typically be the state in which your injury occurred. However, there are certain exceptions. Many states have a “pro hac vice,” or “for this occasion only,” process that grants out-of-state attorneys admission to practice for a single case. Each state is different, and some may require attorneys to partner with an in-state lawyer during representation.
Some states also recognize a process for out-of-state admission called “reciprocity.” Reciprocity policies mean that even if a lawyer has not passed the bar exam in a certain jurisdiction, their admission in another state may be recognized as equivalent and valid to practice law locally.
If you were injured in Florida, it is typically much easier – and potentially much more beneficial – to work with a Florida attorney, even if you are from another state. An attorney from your home state may be able to handle your case in Florida, but they will have to jump through many hoops, and they will almost certainly be less familiar with the laws and procedures in Florida, even if they do get clearance to handle your case here.
The bottom line is, hiring a local lawyer for your out-of-state case is an option in many situations, and you should never settle for less than the exceptional representation you deserve, no matter your jurisdiction. An experienced personal injury attorney well-versed in local laws can make all the difference in the success of your case, so trust your instinct and look for lawyers with excellent client reviews and a history of successful case results.
Most people know that lawyers can help their clients file lawsuits and seek compensation, but what are the specific benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer? Attorneys who focus on personal injury offer their services to people who have suffered physical or psychological injury through the negligent or reckless acts of someone else.
Personal injury lawyers often handle cases involving things like car accidents, medical malpractice, unsafe products or premises, workplace injuries, and slip and fall accidents. These attorneys help their clients by:
No specific guidelines can tell you for certain whether you need a personal injury lawyer for your case. However, if any of the following apply to your situation, there’s a good chance you will benefit from the services of a qualified attorney:
There are plenty of confusing and complicated elements to consider in your injury claim, but it’s easy and free to consult with a local personal injury attorney. Waiting too long to take action or hire a lawyer can damage your case, but an initial case review provides information and options that can only help. To learn more about the next steps you should take in your case, call the dedicated Florida personal injury lawyers of Rue & Ziffra or contact us online today.