Why My Background Makes Me an Excellent Attorney for Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Cases
While many lawyers only specialize in one field of practice, what I bring to the table is a dual background in personal injury and criminal defense. This allows me to better assist clients when their cases involve an intersection between the two, which is a common disadvantage of many attorneys who only specialize in either personal injury or criminal defense.
A Foundation Built on Expert Trial Consulting
Before becoming a board-certified trial lawyer both nationally and by the State of Florida, I was trained under one of the most respected and well-renowned trial consultants in the United States: Dr. Amy Singer. Singer has been involved in shaping some of the most publicized trials in history, most notably the Kennedy case, the Casey Anthony trial, the high-profile litigation involving Michael Jackson, and more. Under Singer’s guidance, I became well-equipped in building strong evidence-driven arguments, strategic in how to navigate any jury to defend my client(s) and to win a case.
This level of training directly benefits clients facing catastrophic injuries, high-stakes litigation, or allegations that may also trigger criminal exposure. Whether a case begins as an auto accident or escalates into criminal prosecution, strategy must be precise from day one.
Experience on Both Sides of the System
Before entering private practice, my career path brought me to nearly every corner of the justice system:
- Intern, County Attorney’s Office
- Intern, United States Attorney’s Office
- Local Prosecutor
- Police Officer
This means I don’t just understand how cases move through the system — I understand how each player thinks, what they need, and how and what decisions get made behind closed doors. That insight proves invaluable when representing clients as an accident lawyer while simultaneously navigating criminal investigations or charges.
Why This Matters: Civil and Criminal Law Collide More Often Than People Realize
The intersection of civil liability and criminal prosecution is where I excel at.
Example 1: A Family Member Is Killed by a Drunk Driver
This tragic situation creates two parallel cases:
- A civil wrongful death or personal injury claim involving insurance companies, accident reconstruction experts, medical testimony, and damages
- A criminal case pursued by law enforcement and prosecutors
Most attorneys specialize in either one or the other, lacking the expertise necessary to better help their clients when their case has an intersection of the two.
My dual background allows me to know how to:
- Work with police, prosecutors, and defense counsel to gain access to information that civil lawyers often struggle to obtain
- Coordinate the civil case so it complements — not conflicts with — the criminal prosecution
- Navigate insurance negotiations while ensuring the criminal process doesn’t stall or damage your civil recovery
This approach is particularly critical in fatal car accident cases where evidence developed in the criminal matter can dramatically strengthen a civil claim.
Example 2: My Client Is Charged with DUI Manslaughter
If a client is accused of causing a fatal accident, they may face:
- Criminal charges with life-altering consequences
- A separate civil lawsuit from the deceased person’s family
- Insurance complications
- Accident reconstruction disputes
- Potential restitution issues
Most criminal defense lawyers focus solely on criminal cases. But civil cases are equally dangerous and can financially devastate someone even if they win in court.
I bring something rare to the defense team:
- Deep experience coordinating with civil plaintiff attorneys
- Knowledge of insurance defense strategies
- Comfort with accident reconstruction, biomechanics, and the technical side of collision litigation
- Understanding how civil and criminal outcomes influence each other
This depth of experience is especially valuable when representing someone accused in a serious motorcycle accident or trucking collision where liability is aggressively contested.
Where Others See Conflict, I See Clarity
When cases cross into both worlds, communication becomes everything. I understand the language of prosecutors, police officers, insurance carriers, adjusters, civil lawyers, criminal defense attorneys, and forensic experts to protect my clients.
Having experience in various sectors of the justice system, I know how to keep each group moving toward what my client needs, and not toward what is easiest or most convenient for the system. This clarity allows me to serve clients not only as a criminal defense attorney but also as a strategic advocate in high-value injury claims.
Your Case Deserves a Lawyer Who Sees the Full Picture
Every individual in need of an attorney deserves one who can maximize the best outcome for their case, and my dual background in personal injury and criminal defense will ensure that. You deserve someone who understands how one case affects the other, who has stood in every role in the courtroom, and who knows how to navigate the overlaps that most lawyers never encounter.
That is the advantage I bring to every client I represent — strategic insight, deep experience, national-level training, and a full-spectrum understanding of the legal battlefield. This perspective is particularly important for clients injured in complex scenarios such as a slip and fall incident that later raises criminal or regulatory questions.
Take the Next Step
In addition to my dual background, I have the credentials and experience necessary to obtain information from prosecutors and defense attorneys that strengthens civil claims—especially cases involving auto accidents and serious injuries. My work with medical examiners, police, traffic homicide units, and accident reconstruction economists ensures no critical detail is overlooked.
Learn more about Attorney Snyder’s background by visiting his attorney profile, review representative legal cases handled by the firm, or take the next step and contact us for a confidential consultation.
If your case involves both civil liability and criminal exposure, you deserve representation that protects your rights, your future, and your peace of mind.
