Introduction
After getting into an accident, you might question yourself: Will having a personal injury attorney help me receive more compensation? Yes, in most instances, you can expect to receive more compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney.
Insurers are profit-driven and want to pay as little as possible. This can lead to under settlements as many victims simply don’t know how much their claim is worth. But a personal injury attorney knows how to deal with complicated legal structures, how to negotiate and how to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?
A personal injury attorney is essential in managing all aspects of your case. Once you retain their services, they start working to build a case that will help you get the most compensation.
They generally help with:
- Assessing your claim: Assessing the extent of your damages
- Gathering evidence: Medical records, accident reports, witness statements
- Communication Handling: Working with the insurance company
- Settlement negotiation: Making sure you don’t get short-changed
- Court representation: Litigating if needed
This holistic approach means nothing is left to chance, something that can make a big difference to the amount you receive in compensation.
Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Get You More Money?
Research and data from the industry indicate that people who suffer injuries and have lawyers receive higher settlements than those who do not. Results may not be uniform, but can be dramatic.
Why does this happen?
- Insurers treat lawyers’ claims seriously
- Attorneys know the legal tricks and pitfalls of insurers
- Lawyers are willing to go to court, giving them more bargaining power
Lacking legal representation, you may underestimate the value of your case or settle early with an offer that doesn’t account for future costs.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Get You More Money
1. Accurate Case Valuation
Perhaps the greatest benefit of working with a personal injury attorney is their expertise in valuing your claim.
This includes:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Loss of income and earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
While many people only think of immediate costs, lawyers think long term, making sure you are awarded compensation for current as well as future expenses.
2. Strong Evidence Collection
Evidence is crucial to a personal injury claim. Lawyers know what constitutes good evidence.
They gather:
- Police and accident reports
- Medical documentation
- Expert witness testimony
- Surveillance or accident videos
Compelling evidence results in better claims, and better claims mean better offers.
3. Expert Negotiation Skills
Claims adjusters are professional negotiators who want to pay as little as possible. Inexperienced claimants can be bullied into accepting a low settlement.
Personal injury lawyers:
- Understand insurance tactics
- Know how to respond to lowball offers
- Provide evidence and legal grounds for increased compensation
This type of negotiation skill is essential to getting higher settlements.
4. Willingness to Go to Trial
Although the majority of personal injury cases are settled, the threat of trial is powerful.
If the insurance company believes that your lawyer is willing to take your case to trial, they will be more likely to settle the matter to avoid:
- Court costs
- Legal fees
- Unpredictable jury verdicts
This bargaining power alone can lead to a higher compensation.
Factors That Decrease Settlements
Many accident victims make errors that reduce their awards when not represented by an attorney.
The most common are:
- Agreeing to the first settlement: Insurers may lowball
- Insufficient evidence: No medical records harm your claim
- Accidentally admitting fault: Partial fault means less compensation
- Not seeking medical care right away: This may work against you
A personal injury lawyer ensures you steer clear of these mistakes, and ensures your claim and economic future is safe.
Understanding Contingency Fees
A common worry is the fee to hire a lawyer. Luckily, most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis.
This means:
- You pay nothing upfront
- You don’t need to pay attorney’s fees until you win
- Attorneys are paid a percentage of your settlement
This incentivizes your lawyer to work hard to get the best settlement possible, because that’s how they get paid.
When to Get a Personal Injury Lawyer
Although it’s not necessary to hire an attorney for every case, you should consider one in the following circumstances:
- Serious or long-term injuries
- Contested liability (fault is in doubt)
- Insurance company won’t pay or takes too long
- Multiple parties are involved
- You’re not confident about the value of your claim
In these cases, you risk receiving less compensation for your injuries.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim?
Yes, but it’s not always a good idea.
You can choose to file a claim if:
- Injuries are minor
- Liability is clear
- Medical costs are low
But in these cases, you’re at risk of short-changing your claim. For anything more than a few thousand dollars, a personal injury attorney can make a big difference.
The Verdict: Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
So, will a personal injury attorney get you more compensation?
Yes, most likely.
Personal injury lawyers help value your claim, and can negotiate better settlements with insurance adjusters, all of which affects the size of your payout. Although hiring one comes at a price, it usually leads to a higher settlement, meaning you get more money than you would be negotiating on your own.
If you want to get the most compensation, ease your stress, and ensure your rights are upheld, it’s not only worth having a personal injury attorney, it can be a cost-effective option following an accident.
