How to Find a Good Personal Injury Lawyer

Searching for a good lawyer to handle your personal injury claim? Like any other profession, there are good lawyers, bad lawyers, and a few horrible and great ones as well. Personal injury lawyers come in all forms – from the stereotypical lawyer who wants to get some money quick – to the victim advocate who will fight hard for your right to be compensated from an injury that was not your fault.   Here’s how to tell the difference:

  1. Hire a local personal injury lawyer.
  2. Many, many lawyers will advertise that they can handle your personal injury claim and that they have offices all over the state, including your town. Do not accept this at face value. Check and see if that firm has an attorney in your town, or if its just an office space and an empty desk so that they can claim they have an office. Hiring a lawyer in your town or in the closest city to you is very important because that attorney will know the juries, judges, and insurance adjusters who will determine your case. If you live in Asheville, and hire a Charlotte lawyer, you will not receive the kind of representation you deserve.

  3. Ask if he or she is willing to try your case in front of a jury.
  4. Many personal injury lawyers are scared to death of being in front of a jury. It’s understandable because most cases settle before they get to a jury. However, insurance companies that make offers on your case know which lawyers are afraid to try cases and they will make lower offers to those lawyers. You don’t want one of these lawyers to handle your case because you will not be offered as much to settle your case. Personal injury lawyers who try cases in front of juries regularly will receive higher offers.

  5. Never pay any money to hire a personal injury lawyer.
  6. Nearly every lawyer handles personal injury claims on a contingency basis; they receive 33% of whatever they can recover. If someone asks you for money up front, or a retainer, run fast. This is a sure sign that the lawyer is either desperate for money, or, he doesn’t believe in your case enough to take it on a contingency.

  7. Meet with your attorney in person.
  8. Do not agree to have a lawyer represent you unless he or she meets you in person. If the lawyer does not take the time to meet you personally at your request, he or she will not work hard on your case. Meet in person and make sure you are comfortable.

Hiring a good or great personal injury lawyer can have a dramatic difference in your case. Keep in mind that the best lawyer for your claim may not be the best lawyer for someone else’s claim. Do not underestimate the “experienced” lawyer who no longer works as hard, or the “inexperienced” lawyer who is excited to work on your case. Go with the lawyer who will work harder.

Contact Us

Whether you’ve been involved in a car accident, a slip and fall or have been bitten by a dog, or if you just have questions about your case, please feel free to call or email our office to see how we can help.  We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS and look forward to being able to assist you.  

Attorney Lakota Denton

Attorney Lakota DentonLakota Denton has been practicing in his own firm since 2013, focusing solely on personal injury. He is a member of the American Association of Justice, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the North Carolina Bar association, the American Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and was awarded Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers, the 2014 Top 40 Lawyers under 40, and the Avvo clients choice award. [ Attorney Bio ]

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