After an accident, choosing a personal injury law firm can involve more than looking at years in practice. Attorney access, team structure, communication, and the way a firm handles an insurance claim can all shape the client’s experience. Clearwater and the wider Tampa Bay area are served by firms with different approaches to personal injury representation. The three firms below offer distinct information about their experience, legal teams, client communication, and approach to handling injury claims.
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At a Glance: Three Clearwater-Area Firms
- Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers — Focuses on personal injury and car accident cases.
- Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers — Handles personal injury matters across the Tampa Bay Area.
- Thacker and Mulvihill, PLLC — Emphasizes personal service and direct attorney access.
Comparing Personal Injury Law Firms
When comparing personal injury and car accident law firms, it can help to look at factors such as relevant case experience, areas of practice, attorney backgrounds, professional recognition, and the types of injuries or accidents the firm handles. Publicly available case information and professional profiles can provide useful context, but past results do not guarantee the outcome of a future case.
Firm |
Notable Firm Information |
Question to Ask |
| Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers | Who will personally work on my claim? | |
| Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers | 25+ years of experience and offices throughout Tampa Bay | How will the firm keep me informed? |
| Thacker and Mulvihill, PLLC | Immediate claim work and direct access to its attorneys | How involved will the attorneys be throughout my case? |
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers: Decades of Dedicated Personal Injury Representation
The firm has built its practice around personal injury law. The firm’s team includes legal professionals, researchers, a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, and two former defense attorneys. That combination gives prospective clients several details to consider when reviewing the firm’s approach to personal injury representation.
The firm also says it keeps its caseload low so its team can give greater attention to individual cases. Its description places emphasis on helping clients through the difficulties that can follow a serious accident while the legal team handles dealings with insurance companies.
Key points to review include:
- Personal injury is the firm’s sole area of practice.
- The team includes two former defense attorneys.
- Mark S. Roman is identified as a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer.
- Clients can speak directly with an experienced personal injury attorney.
What the Roman Austin Approach Looks Like
The firm’s description places considerable attention on the relationship between the attorney and client. It recognizes that an accident can bring medical concerns, uncertainty, insurance issues, and disruption to everyday life. Its stated approach is to take on the legal side of the matter while the client focuses on recovery.
Another point is the firm’s handling of insurance companies. The team says getting an attorney involved promptly can help prevent mistakes that may affect a claim. It also says the firm can assist clients in obtaining necessary medical treatment without upfront costs.
The team structure is worth discussing during a consultation. Prospective clients can ask who will be involved in the claim, how the attorneys divide responsibilities, and how the firm keeps clients informed.
Its emphasis on personal attention is also tied to its stated low-caseload model. That can be useful for readers who want to understand how much direct attorney involvement they can expect before choosing representation.
Fran Haasch Law Group: A Clearwater Personal Injury Team
Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers has years of experience handling personal injury cases and maintains offices throughout Clearwater.
The firm’s description focuses on supporting people and families dealing with injuries caused by another party’s negligence. It also explains that the firm works on a contingency-fee basis, so clients do not pay attorney fees upfront. Payment is described as a percentage of a successful settlement.
Communication is another stated part of its approach. The firm says its attorneys and staff provide updates throughout a case, giving clients information about developments as their claim progresses.
Points to consider include:
- A contingency-fee arrangement.
- A team-based approach to personal injury cases.
- An emphasis on client communication and updates.
The firm identifies Fran Haasch as its founding personal injury attorney and notes memberships in the American Association for Justice, Florida Justice Association, and Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association.
Thacker and Mulvihill: Direct Attorney Access
Thacker and Mulvihill, PLLC presents a different approach to the attorney-client relationship. The firm says clients are not treated as numbers among a large group of cases and instead receive personal attention, care, and communication from the attorneys.
The firm also emphasizes beginning work on a personal injury claim immediately. Its stated process includes securing valuable evidence, investigating the claim, and helping ensure clients receive appropriate care.
A notable feature is direct communication with the firm’s attorneys. When clients hire Thacker and Mulvihill, PLLC, they work directly with Greg and John. The firm says clients receive their lawyers’ personal cell phone numbers, giving them a direct way to reach their attorneys.
Points to review include:
- Immediate work on the personal injury claim.
- Early attention to securing evidence.
- A stated focus on individual client attention.
Three Different Approaches to Client Service
The information provided by these firms shows several differences in how they describe their client relationships.
Roman Austin emphasizes its long history, dedicated personal injury practice, reported client results, and a team that includes a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and former defense attorneys.
Fran Haasch places attention on its local presence, more than two decades of experience, contingency-fee structure, and communication throughout the case.
Thacker and Mulvihill focuses heavily on personal attorney involvement. Its description specifically identifies Greg and John as the attorneys clients will work with and highlights direct phone access.
These distinctions can give prospective clients useful topics to discuss during consultations. The attorney assigned to a case, the expected communication process, and the level of direct involvement can be just as useful to clarify as the firm’s overall history.
What to Discuss Before Hiring a Firm
A consultation gives an injured person an opportunity to learn how a firm would approach the individual claim. Questions can help reveal what communication and representation may look like after the initial meeting.
Consider asking:
- Which attorney will personally handle my claim?
- How will I communicate with the legal team?
- How often will I receive updates?
- Who will investigate and preserve important evidence?
- What costs or fees should I understand before signing an agreement?
- How will the firm communicate with the insurance company?
- Will I have direct access to my attorney?
The answers can help clarify differences between firms without relying only on advertising statements or general descriptions.
Fees, Communication, and Attorney Involvement
Financial arrangements can differ between personal injury firms, so prospective clients should discuss them before signing a representation agreement. Fran Haasch Law Group specifically describes its services as contingency-based, meaning clients do not pay attorney fees upfront.
Communication is another area where the firms describe different approaches. Fran Haasch says its attorneys and staff update clients throughout their cases. Roman Austin emphasizes close attention to individual matters and maintaining a lower caseload. Thacker and Mulvihill highlights personal cell phone access to its attorneys.
These details can help clients identify which questions to ask about their own case. The written representation agreement should explain the financial terms that apply to the attorney-client relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when comparing Clearwater personal injury firms?
Consider the firm’s experience, attorney involvement, communication practices, fee arrangement, and approach to handling your specific claim. It is also useful to know who will actually manage the case after hiring.
Does every personal injury firm use the same fee structure?
No. Fee arrangements can differ. Fran Haasch Law Group describes a contingency-fee arrangement in which clients do not pay attorney fees upfront, and the firm receives a percentage of a successful settlement.
Can I speak directly with my attorney?
The firms describe different communication models. Thacker and Mulvihill specifically says clients receive the personal cell phone numbers of its attorneys. Prospective clients can ask other firms about their own attorney-access policies during a consultation.
Choosing the Right Fit
The three firms provide different details for prospective clients to consider. Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers highlights decades of personal injury practice, a dedicated legal team, former defense attorneys, and reported results. Fran Haasch Law Group emphasizes its regional presence, contingency-fee model, team support, and client updates. Thacker and Mulvihill places strong attention on immediate case work and direct access to its attorneys.
For someone comparing personal injury firms, these differences provide a practical starting point. Reviewing each firm’s approach and asking specific questions about attorney involvement, communication, evidence, and fees can help an injured person understand what representation may look like before making a decision.
