Why Should I Hire a Local, Mid-Missouri Lawyer for My Injury Case?

About the Author

Ethan Charles (“EC”) Duckworth is the founding attorney of Duckworth Injury Law. EC earned his law degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, where he graduated in the top 10 of his class and served as an Editor of the Missouri Law Review. EC currently serves as a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and is a graduate of the Ross T. Roberts Trial Academy. EC is mid-Missouri native, having grown up in Southern Boone County. EC’s law firm, Duckworth Injury Law, is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri. 

Why Hiring a Local Mid-Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Matters

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by an accident due to the fault of somebody else, it will almost certainly be in your best interest to consult with an experienced mid-Missouri personal injury attorney regarding your claim. Whether you have been involved in a car accident in Columbia, Mo, a trucking accident in Jefferson City, MO, or a boating accident at the Lake of the Ozarks, you should at least consult with a personal injury lawyer to understand your rights. However, searching for the best personal injury attorney to handle your case can often be a daunting and overwhelming experience. It’s no secret that there is a litany of lawyers who claim to handle personal injury claims, or who claim to be a “top rated injury attorney” who will be lining up at your door (or more likely, on your internet search results) to take on your claim. Yet, hiring the wrong personal injury lawyer can often be worse than not hiring a personal injury lawyer at all. 

So, how do you know what lawyer to hire for your mid-Missouri injury case? While there are many factors to consider (experience handling injury claims, average case volume per attorney, willingness to file suit if necessary, attorney fees and costs, etc.), one of the biggest factors you should consider is whether the attorney is local to your community. 

Benefit #1: In-Person Access to Your Personal Injury Attorney in Mid-MO

Hiring a local personal injury lawyer has numerous benefits for your personal injury claim, often resulting in a greater financial recovery for you.  For one, hiring a local attorney allows you to meet with and consult with your attorney in person at their office or at your home. While this may not seem like a big deal in today’s age of remote work and Zoom meetings, there is still no substitute for an in-person meeting. Meeting your attorney in person allows you to judge the qualifications and character of your potential lawyer face-to-face. It also allows your lawyer to get to know more about you, your injuries, and how your accident has affected you in greater depth, which allows your attorney to advocate on your behalf more effectively. 

Benefit #2: Familiarity with Mid-Missouri Courts & Judges 



Second, Missouri law typically requires a lawsuit be filed in the county where the accident occurred. See RSMo. 508.010. As such, a local lawyer who frequently practices and files lawsuits in the county where you were injured will have a big advantage handling your claim in comparison to an out-of-town lawyer. A local lawyer will be familiar with the judges of the county, including those judges’ preferences in how cases are brought before them. Similarly, a local lawyer will be knowledgeable of the local civil procedure rules specific to the county your case will be filed in (circuit courts across Missouri have unique local rules regarding how cases must be brought in their venue).

Benefit #3: Willingness to File Suit & Take Your Case to Trial 

Finally, hiring a local, mid-Missouri lawyer for your injury claim increases your odds that your attorney will not hesitate to file a lawsuit on your behalf if necessary to obtain maximum compensation. Out-of-town lawyers often hesitate to file lawsuits in counties far from their home office as they know it will be costly to do so (both for them and their clients). Litigation requires the taking of depositions, discovery, and hearings, all of which can quickly add to your case expenses. The further your lawyer has to travel to conduct these items, the higher your ultimate case expenses will likely be. Insurance companies often understand this dynamic, leading to low-ball offers when they believe an attorney is reluctant to file suit. 

EC Duckworth Is Proud to Be a Personal Injury Attorney Who Was Not Only Raised in Central Missouri, but Now Serves Residents Who Deserve Justice After an Injury-Causing Accident

At Duckworth Injury Law, we are a mid-Missouri law firm focused on advocating and fighting for the people of Missouri, and specifically the counties encompassing mid-Missouri. Our attorney, EC Duckworth grew up in Southern Boone County, attended the University of Missouri for undergrad and law school, and lives in Columbia, Missouri. He has handled hundreds of injury cases across mid-Missouri, from Sedalia to Fulton, and from Moberly to Lake of the Ozarks. He is familiar with the Courts across mid-Missouri, and he always makes it a priority to meet with his clients in person. 

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another person or entity, don’t risk your case by placing it in the hands of an out-of-town attorney you may never even meet. Instead, consult a local, experienced Mid-Missouri personal injury lawyer to ensure your claim is properly evaluated and that you are fully compensated for all of your damages. Contact Duckworth Injury Law today for a free consultation.