How to Choose the Right North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer for You
- How to Choose the Right North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer for You
- When Should a Person Consider Hiring an Attorney for Their Personal Injury Cases?
- What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do, and When Should You Consider Hiring One?
- What Should You Learn About a Personal Injury Attorney Before Hiring Them?
- What Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for a Client if They Have to Work With an Insurance Company?
- Why Might Myers Law Firm be Your Right Choice?
How to Choose the Right North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer for You
Getting into an accident can push you into a whole world you haven’t entered before. Dealing with another driver’s negligence, their insurance company, and the legal system can be an enormous undertaking for someone who’s never even had to make a claim before.
When you need to manage a personal injury claim, it might be time to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you in the process. But when expenses from a car accident can change your life, it’s essential to find an attorney who can successfully support your claim in a way that aligns with your requirements.
This isn’t a matter of choosing the first attorney you find online (although, that very well might turn out to be the one who’s right for you). It’s about investing the time now to make sure you’ve got the best help you can find. And understanding the process upfront can mean peace of mind as you navigate the sometimes-difficult process of building and supporting a personal injury claim.
When Should a Person Consider Hiring an Attorney for Their Personal Injury Cases?
Know When a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help a Claim
If there’s no damage or injuries, it’s possible that you don’t need to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. But if you need ongoing medical care, have a traumatic brain injury, or are going to have future lost wages or earning capacity, it’s probably time to consider the option.
There Might Not Be a “Too Soon”
If it makes sense to hire a personal injury attorney, waiting may only hurt your chance of fair compensation. Saying the wrong thing to an adjuster, forgetting to track medical expenses, or missing important windows for legal action could all happen if you wait too long to get help.
When evidence and statements from the scene of the accident matter, it’s important to think about the future of your claim. But a traumatic experience can make navigating a personal injury claim even harder, especially with North Carolina’s law of contributory negligence. These type of issues often makes hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer from the very beginning a good choice.
“I wanted to thank you. I know it takes a lot to put together a case. After the first time meeting with you, you remembered our information, barely referring to your notes and continued to do so. You were generous with your thoughts and ideas as to how we could get what we were hoping for and it's so appreciated. We couldn't have gotten the verdict yesterday without you....It really does make a difference that you seem to care.”
“I went to another law firm and they turned me down…would not take my case. Myers Law Firm met with me, handled my case and would not back down from insurance company. Even when they had to file suit to protect me for my personal injury and property damage. I received a very fair settlement. Mr. Myers I appreciate you and your staff.”
“Mr. Lee-Thanks to you and Bessie for all of your help last year and most recently with the referral. I sold the house and the kids and I moved 8 days before Christmas. God is good, faithful and true.”
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SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATIONWhat Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do, and When Should You Consider Hiring One?
Understand if You Have a Personal Injury Claim Worth Pursuing
First, a personal injury attorney can help you decide if you have a case or not. The ultimate decision is with you, but someone with experience navigating claims according to North Carolina law can help you weigh your options.
Even if you think your claim is worth money, there are a few factors to consider:
- Is the potential amount of money you might be awarded worth filing and defending your claim?
- Will you likely receive enough to cover your costs and attorney fees?
- Can you show that the other driver was negligent and that they caused your injuries?
Fortunately, many personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations, so you can better understand your legal options without financial risk.
Find Out How Much Your Claim Could be Worth
Major injuries, property damage, and lost wages can add up to a lot of unexpected costs, but it’s hard to know what price to put on the effects of a car accident.
An attorney can help you determine what costs to include in personal injury claims:
- Physical injuries. Emergency, ongoing, and future medical expenses could quickly grow.
- Pain and suffering. Beyond medical bills, mental anguish and physical pain can equate to a monetary value.
- Necessary changes. Home and vehicle accessibility upgrades can be essential after a serious injury.
- Missed earnings. Lost wages or earning potential due to an accident can count as a cost from the accident.
- Property damage. Car repairs or damage to things inside the vehicle can also count toward costs.
But claiming the injuries can also depend on what you can prove.
RELATED: Compensation Explained: What Can I Receive From My Injury Case?
Get Support as You Defend Your Claim
Crafting your claim is only the beginning of the process. You’ll still need to support it with evidence and defend it if the insurance company isn’t willing to offer a fair settlement. From security cameras to eyewitness testimony, it’s important to track down evidence and witness statements and incorporate them into a claim.
Drivers can also rely on things like depositions, anti-spoilation, and Public Records Law requirements, but it may be daunting to manage all of that on their own. A lawyer can help you understand what kind of evidence matters, where you can find it, and how to preserve it.
What Should You Learn About a Personal Injury Attorney Before Hiring Them?
Make Sure the Lawyer Can Practice in Your Region
It’s important to know where the lawyer you choose can practice law. If a driver is injured in North Carolina, they’ll have to find a lawyer able to practice in the state. Beyond that, a lawyer that has localized knowledge of laws, and clerk and court operations, can be helpful.
Find Out the Lawyer’s Experience
Lawyers often focus on specific areas of the law, and it’s important to know if they have a history of working in the area you need help. An attorney that works mostly in workers’ comp with little focus on motor vehicle accidents might not be the best fit for your personal injury case. Larger firms can have teams that focus on different things, but then you’ll have to consider if that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for.
Get the Right Fit for Your Case
Bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to a law firm. A larger firm can get around knowledge gaps with sheer resources, but a smaller firm with a more personal touch can deliver a tailored approach.
Think about what you want from your case and see how the firm answers your questions with their actions. How much time will the firm dedicate to your case? Can you get in touch with someone when you call with questions? Will they keep you updated on your claim?
Reach Out and Learn More
Research is a good first step but finding out if a lawyer aligns with you can really depend on a conversation. When a free case evaluation is available, it’s worth the time to see if you’re comfortable with their approach, they have room to take on your personal injury case, and you align on what your claim could be worth.
Take a Look at Their Resume
Lawyers new to practicing law or that have recently changed disciplines or entered a new area might not have the expertise you need to successfully support your claim. Find out how long they’ve been practicing, what organizations they support, which associations endorse them, and their track record of success in recent cases.
What Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for a Client if They Have to Work With an Insurance Company?
Your personal injury claim will likely involve the negligent driver’s insurance company. Even if you have a well-supported personal injury case, it’s not a guarantee that the insurance company will pay your losses. There are a few tactics that insurance adjusters might follow:
- Offer less than fair compensation
- Discount or refuse to consider expenses in your claim
- Try to show you’re partially responsible for the accident
- Try to deny payment altogether
Your position isn’t necessarily wrong. The insurance company is focused on making money by paying out as little as possible on claims. This means the insurance adjuster is not on your side. Refuting your claim can come in different forms and be coupled with different ways of getting you to accept less, like asking leading questions to get you to accept some of the blame.
This circumstance is where a personal injury lawyer can step in. You can allow the attorney to deal with the insurance company on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about slipping up because of rules and tactics you don’t know about.
RELATED: 9 Secrets the Insurance Adjuster Doesn’t Want You to Know
Why Might Myers Law Firm be Your Right Choice?
You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to hiring a personal attorney but getting an attorney for your case can seem like a lot of work. Hiring the right attorney, though, could ultimately mean a lot less work and the possibility of a better outcome.
Myers Law Firm could be that right choice for you after an accident. We’ve got over 60 years of combined experience serving accident victims in North Carolina. Our experienced team has been fighting for the injured to get them the help they deserve.
We offer a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at 888-376-2889 or with our short online form to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your case, learn what you expect from your recovery, and help you better understand your legal options.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
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