- April 10, 2024
- Asheville Personal Injury
You can find the right lawyer for your case in Asheville, NC, through multiple channels, including internet research. You may also act on recommendations from trusted friends, family members, or coworkers. If you see advertisements on billboards, benches, or in print media in Asheville, you can contact law firms represented in those advertisements.
Online research offers the ability to learn more about a law firm. You can learn much about a law firm or personal injury lawyer in Asheville by researching them online, so this is a common way for clients in Asheville to find their attorney.
What Makes a Lawyer a Good Fit for My Case in Asheville?
Personal injury lawyers handle a variety of case types, from car accidents to medical malpractice and beyond. Any victim of negligence should explore hiring a lawyer, particularly if they:- Suffered injuries
- Lost a loved one
- Has many years of experience handling personal injury cases
- Has extensive experience handling cases specifically like yours
- Has obtained an impressive array of settlements and verdicts for their clients
- Has glowing endorsements from their former clients (in the form of reviews)
Your lawyer should also have an office in or near Asheville. This will ensure they can gather evidence for your case, attend case-related appointments, and handle the other demands of your case capably.
Questions to Ask During Your Free Consultations
Free consultations are standard among personal injury attorneys. These consultations are usually conducted over the phone, though they can also happen in person or over Zoom. Utilize your free consultations with law firms to ask probing questions, which can include:
- How often do you handle cases like mine?
- What results have you achieved in cases similar to mine?
- What types of resources will you invest in my case?
- Which lawyer will be representing me?
- What is your fee structure?
- How will you ensure my case receives the attention it deserves?
- Why should I trust your law firm to handle my case?
You may have other questions, and you should ask them without hesitation. A law firm should earn your business, as attorneys cannot do their job without clients.
What Your Lawyer in Asheville Will Do for You
Your personal injury lawyer in Asheville will be responsible for every detail of your insurance claim or lawsuit. They will deal with insurance companies on your behalf, develop a personalized case strategy, and handle all case-related paperwork.
Some of the most important duties of an Asheville personal injury lawyer include:
Obtaining Evidence of Negligence
Attorneys know the importance of securing strong evidence for personal injury cases. The types of evidence your lawyer gathers will depend on the circumstances that have led you to file a claim or lawsuit.
In a slip and fall accident case, for instance, a lawyer may obtain the following:
- Photographs of a hazard that caused the client to fall
- Video footage of the slip and fall incident
- Witness accounts of how the slip and fall happened
- An expert’s reconstruction of the circumstances that led to the fall
- Records indicating that a property owner has a history of negligence
Your lawyer will secure any relevant evidence to your case, and they will obtain the evidence as soon as possible.
Securing Proof of Your Recoverable Damages
Your lawyer will document your damages using:- Medical images and photographs of your injuries
- All medical bills related to your case
- Experts’ testimony about your damages
- Proof that you have lost income because of injury
- Any other evidence of your damages
This documentation may be an essential feature of your case, particularly during settlement negotiations or at trial.
Calculating the Cost of Your Damages
Your lawyer must determine the precise financial value of your damages. This figure will determine how much money your lawyer demands from insurers or those who caused you to suffer the damages.
Negotiating a Settlement
Civil cases typically settle. However, this does not mean that settlements come easily. Your lawyer will need to present a compelling case explaining why you deserve the amount of compensation you are seeking.
Filing a Lawsuit, if Necessary
Some victims of negligence file lawsuits because:- The person (or people) who caused their damages lacks insurance
- The financial cost of damages exceeds insurance coverage limits
- Insurance companies do not offer the amount of compensation the client deserves
If filing a lawsuit makes sense for you, your lawyer will broach the subject. You will have the final say over whether to accept the best settlement offer or file a lawsuit.
Taking Your Case to Court, if Necessary
Your attorney can continue negotiating a settlement after filing a lawsuit. Your case may go to trial if these final negotiations do not lead to a settlement agreement.
Your attorney will lead your court case from start to finish. They will question witnesses, present evidence, and ask a jury to award you a fair award for your damages.
Damages to Consider in a Personal Injury Case
Your lawyer will seek a financial recovery reflecting the cost of:
- Medical bills
- Property expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental healthcare costs
- Lost income
- Lost earning power
- Any other harm resulting from the liable parties’ negligence
Each case presents a lawyer with different damages. Your attorney will speak with you about how you are suffering because of someone’s negligence. Your attorney may also consult doctors, economists, mental health service providers, and other experts to evaluate your recoverable damages.
Wait No Longer to Hire Your Lawyer in Asheville, NC
Your personal injury lawyer in Asheville should use a contingency fee structure that requires you to pay no upfront or out-of-pocket compensation. This ensures you can afford to hire a lawyer, which means there is no reason to wait before hiring your attorney.
The sooner you hire your lawyer, the sooner you can focus on recovery.
Attorney Lakota Denton
Lakota 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 ]