Hawk Law Group | February 13, 2025 | Personal Injury
Looking for a lawyer is overwhelming and intimidating. Law firms bombard potential clients with advertising through billboards, radio ads, and TV commercials.
But you can only gather limited information from these promotional messages.
It seems like they’re all sharks, with bold promises. It’s hard to know who to trust these days.
That’s why we put this guide together. You’ll not only discover what to look for, but also the crucial red flags to avoid when looking for a personal injury lawyer.
First you need to understand whether you need one, or not.
When Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
| Situation | Can You Handle It Yourself? | Should You Hire a Lawyer? |
|---|---|---|
| Injuries | Minor, no ongoing treatment needed | Serious or long-term injuries |
| Fault & Liability | Other party admits fault | Liability is disputed |
| Insurance Cooperation | Insurance company is cooperative | Claim denied or low settlement offer |
| Compensation | Settlement fully covers damages | Facing high medical bills, lost wages, or permanent disability |
| Settlement Pressure | No pressure to settle quickly | Insurance company pushing for a quick settlement |
💡 Key Takeaway: If your case is straightforward, you may not need a lawyer. But for complex claims, a skilled personal injury attorney can maximize your compensation and protect your rights.
In complex cases, a skilled personal injury attorney can significantly increase your compensation. Now that you know whether hiring a lawyer is the right decision, let’s dive into how to choose the best one.
1. Find a Lawyer Who Truly Knows Personal Injury Law
Not all lawyers are created equal.
While some juggle multiple areas of law, personal injury cases demand specialized expertise—think insurance battles, medical evidence, and courtroom strategy.
You need someone who lives and breathes personal injury law, not a jack-of-all-trades who only dabbles in it.
What to Look For:
✔ A Lawyer Who Focuses on Personal Injury Cases – Skip the ones who handle a little bit of everything. You want an expert who deals with cases like yours every day.
✔ Experience with Your Type of Case – Whether it’s a car accident, medical malpractice, or workplace injury, your lawyer should have a solid history of winning similar cases.
✔ Strong Trial Skills – Some attorneys settle fast just to move on, but if negotiations fall apart, you need someone who’s ready to fight and win in court.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
🚩 Lawyers who handle all kinds of legal work but lack deep personal injury experience
🚩 Firms that rush to settle instead of fighting for every dollar you deserve
🚩 Attorneys with little to no courtroom experience, making them an easy target for insurance companies
At the end of the day, choosing the right lawyer can make all the difference in your case—and your future. Take your time, do your research, and don’t settle for less than you deserve!
Legal directories generally group lawyers by practice and geographic area. But keep in mind that these directories often require lawyers to pay for a listing. As a result, they might not list all of the firms in your area.
Unfortunately, the State Bar of Georgia does not operate a lawyer referral service. But the bar publishes a list of lawyer referral services that require their lawyers to carry malpractice insurance and comply with the bar’s referral rules.
2. Dig Into the Lawyer’s Reputation & Past Wins
Having experience is great, but can they actually win?
A lawyer’s track record speaks volumes louder than any promise.
You want someone who has a history of securing big wins—not just someone who’s been in the business a long time.
What to Look For:
✔ Strong Case Results & Settlements – Have they won high-value settlements for people with injuries like yours? Look for real proof of success.
✔ Rave Reviews from Past Clients – Check Google reviews, Avvo, and Justia to see what others say. A lawyer’s reputation is built on trust.
✔ Industry Recognition & Awards – Honors from groups like Super Lawyers or the Million Dollar Advocates Forum can signal top-tier talent.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
🚩 A pattern of bad reviews mentioning poor communication or lowball settlements
🚩 No history of big wins— if they can’t show past success, will they fight hard for you?
🚩 Shady or exaggerated claims— some firms inflate their track record, so don’t be afraid to ask for real case details.
3. Take Advantage of a Free Consultation & Ask the Right Questions
The free consultation is your chance to see if they’re a good fit.
Think of it like a job interview—except you’re the boss. You can schedule a free consult with us here.
This is your opportunity to ask important questions and get a feel for how they’ll handle your case.
Smart Questions to Ask:
✔ Who’s actually handling my case? – Will they personally work on it, or will it get passed off to a junior attorney? You don’t want to hire one lawyer only to be handed off to someone else.
✔ What challenges do you see in my case? – A solid lawyer will give you real talk, not just tell you what you want to hear. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
✔ How often will I hear from you? – Nothing’s worse than being left in the dark. Make sure they’ll keep you updated instead of dodging your calls.
✔ How do your fees work? – No surprises, no hidden costs—get clear on how they charge before you sign anything (more on fees in the next section).
Red Flags to Watch For:
🚩 A lawyer who rushes through your consultation or seems distracted—you deserve their full attention.
🚩 Guarantees of a win—no legit lawyer can promise a specific outcome. If they do, run.
🚩 High-pressure tactics—if they’re pushing you to sign right away, take that as a bad sign. You should have time to shop around.
At the end of the day, you want a lawyer who’s not just qualified but also genuinely invested in your case.
4. Understand How Legal Fees Work—So There Are No Surprises Later
Hiring a personal injury lawyer shouldn’t add financial stress to an already difficult situation. That’s why most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis—meaning they only get paid if they win your case.
But even though you won’t be paying upfront, it’s still important to understand exactly how much you’ll owe and when.
How Contingency Fees Work
Instead of billing you hourly, personal injury lawyers take a percentage of your settlement or court award. This percentage typically ranges from 33% to 40%, depending on the complexity of your case and whether it goes to trial.
But not all fee agreements are the same, so you’ll want to ask the right questions to avoid surprises.
What to Ask About Fees
✔ What percentage of my settlement will you take? – The standard range is 33% if the case settles early and up to 40% if it goes to trial. Make sure you understand how their fees are structured.
✔ Are there additional costs for case expenses? – Some lawyers cover court filing fees, expert witness fees, and medical record retrieval costs upfront, while others expect you to pay these separately. Get clarity on this before signing anything.
✔ Will I owe anything if I don’t win? – Some firms charge for case expenses even if you lose, meaning you could be stuck with thousands in costs. Ask whether they offer a true “no win, no fee” arrangement.
Red Flags to Watch For
🚩 Upfront payments – Personal injury lawyers should only get paid if you win. If they ask for money upfront, that’s a red flag.
🚩 Vague or confusing fee agreements – Everything should be crystal clear before you sign. If they dodge questions about fees, find another lawyer.
A good attorney should be transparent and upfront about costs. If something feels off, trust your gut and keep looking!
Related: Basic Personal Injury Settlement Breakdown: How Much Goes Into My Pocket?
5. Choose a Lawyer Who Actually Communicates
One of the biggest frustrations people have with lawyers?
Feeling ignored.
You don’t want to hire someone who disappears once you’ve signed the contract. A good lawyer should keep you updated, explain things clearly, and be easy to reach when you have questions.
What to Look For
✔ Prompt responses – Do they return calls and emails within a reasonable time, or do you have to chase them down?
✔ Clear explanations – Can they break down legal jargon so you actually understand what’s happening in your case? If they talk in circles or overwhelm you with legal terms, that’s a problem.
✔ A dedicated point of contact – Will you be dealing with the same attorney throughout your case, or will you constantly get shuffled around between different people?
Red Flags to Watch For
🚩 Lawyers who take days (or weeks) to respond to basic questions. If they don’t prioritize communication now, it won’t get better later.
🚩 Firms that rely too much on assistants or paralegals to handle client interactions instead of the actual lawyer.
🚩 Attorneys who seem overloaded with cases and don’t have time to give yours the attention it deserves. If they rush through your consultation, expect them to do the same with your case.
You deserve a lawyer who treats you like a person, not just a case file.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers In the Central Savannah River Area at Hawk Law Group for Legal Assistance Today
If you’ve been injured, you’re facing a tough road—but you don’t have to walk it alone.
The right lawyer can make all the difference, helping you navigate the legal process, fight for fair compensation, and get back on your feet. Unfortunately, many people rush into hiring an attorney without asking the right questions, only to feel frustrated and unheard.
We believe that every injury victim deserves strong legal support, clear communication, and an attorney who genuinely cares.
For more information, please contact the personal injury lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today. Put us to the test, we’re confident we won’t trigger any of your red flags.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and its surrounding areas:
Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722-3500
Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863-6500
Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361-0350
Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437-9122
Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226-9089
We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.