Most personal injury attorneys in Atlanta will tell you they are the best choice for your case. But how do you actually evaluate that claim? How do you separate the lawyers who will fight for you from the ones who will settle your case for the first offer the insurance company makes?
I have a unique perspective on this question. Not only am I a personal injury attorney who has recovered over $60 million for clients across Georgia, but I also founded Awad Academy, where I train personal injury attorneys from across the country in trial advocacy. I know what separates an excellent PI attorney from a mediocre one — because I teach the difference.
Here is what you should look for.
Ask About Trial Experience
This is the most important question you can ask, and it is the one most potential clients never think to ask. How many cases has this attorney actually tried to verdict?
The reality is that the vast majority of personal injury attorneys in Atlanta have never tried a case in front of a jury. They settle every case — not because settlement is always the best outcome, but because they do not have the skills or confidence to take a case to trial.
Insurance companies know which attorneys try cases and which ones do not. When a settlement-only attorney demands a large number, the insurance company’s response is simple: “Go ahead and file suit.” They know that attorney will eventually accept a lower offer rather than risk a trial they are not prepared for.
My background includes prosecuting over 100 felony cases as an Assistant District Attorney, including a murder trial and a dozen child molestation cases. When I transitioned to personal injury law, I brought those courtroom skills with me. Our $900,208 jury verdict in Cobb County happened because the insurance company knew I was prepared to try the case — and I did.
Look at Actual Case Results
Every attorney’s website lists impressive results. But look deeper. Are those results from cases that went to trial, or are they all settlements? Are the results recent, or are they from decades ago?
At the Awad Law Firm, our results speak for themselves: $2 million in a wrongful death settlement, $900,208 jury verdict in Cobb County, $754,000 for a rear-end collision with “minimal damage,” $625,000 for cognitive impairment after a wreck, $600,000 in a DUI wrongful death case, $550,000 for a client trampled outside a nightclub, and $440,000 in a T-bone collision with an 18-wheeler.
These results reflect a pattern: we consistently recover more than what the insurance company initially offers because we have the trial skills to back up our demands.
Evaluate Their Background
Where did this attorney work before opening a personal injury practice? What other legal experience do they bring to your case?
An attorney who went straight from law school into personal injury work has a very different skill set than one who spent years in the courtroom trying serious cases. My path — from the DA’s Office in Whitfield County to the DeKalb County Special Victims Unit to founding a personal injury firm — gave me experience that directly translates to better outcomes for my clients.
At Awad Academy, I train attorneys specifically because most PI lawyers lack courtroom experience. If you want an attorney who has the skills I teach, why not hire the one who teaches them?
Check Their Community Involvement
An attorney who is invested in their community is more likely to be invested in your case. Look for lawyers who give back — not just through advertising, but through genuine community engagement.
The Awad Law Firm’s community involvement includes being the official sponsor of MIST Atlanta for over a decade, partnering with City of Refuge in Dalton to feed 150 families, establishing a scholarship fund at Dalton State College, and conducting constitutional rights workshops at mosques across Georgia.
These are not marketing initiatives. They are reflections of the values that guide how we practice law.
Understand Their Fee Structure
Most personal injury attorneys in Georgia work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the attorney takes a percentage of your recovery. This is standard practice, and it is how the Awad Law Firm operates.
But ask about the specific percentage, when it changes (many attorneys charge a higher percentage if the case goes to trial), and what costs you might be responsible for. A transparent attorney will explain all of this clearly during your free consultation.
Trust Your Instincts
During your consultation, pay attention to how the attorney treats you. Do they listen to your story, or do they rush through the meeting? Do they explain the legal process clearly, or do they use jargon to confuse you? Do they make promises about outcomes, or are they honest about the challenges your case may face?
A good attorney will be honest with you — even when the truth is not what you want to hear. If an attorney guarantees a specific result, that is a red flag. No honest lawyer can guarantee an outcome because every case is different.
My Promise
At the Awad Law Firm, we offer a free consultation where I will personally evaluate your case, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment of what you can expect. I will never pressure you to sign, and I will never make promises I cannot keep.
What I will promise is this: if you hire us, you will have a trial-ready attorney fighting for you — the same attorney who trains other lawyers across the country in the skills they need to win.
Call us at (706) 890-0000 or visit one of our offices in Atlanta, Marietta, or Dalton. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
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