Being injured in an accident can turn your life upside down, and with more than six million car accidents each year in the US, chances are it could be you one day. You may be facing steep medical bills, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, or other expenses. The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely try to settle with you for as little money as possible. This is where personal injury lawyers can help level the playing field. But are they really worth the time and money?
They Have Experience Navigating the Claims Process
An experienced personal injury lawyer has been through the claims process countless times. They know what information insurance adjusters need to assess your claim properly. They also know what medical records, bills, and other documentation will help maximize your payout. A lawyer can guide you through the claims process efficiently so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
They Can Estimate the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim
Determining a fair settlement amount on your own after an accident can be extremely difficult, especially if injuries keep you from working. Personal injury lawyers use various factors like pain and suffering amounts set by law, medical bill totals, and lost income to estimate the value of injury claims. This takes the guesswork out of deciding what to reasonably ask for in your unique case.
They Can Negotiate Effectively with Insurance Companies
Insurance carriers often make low initial offers, hoping injured parties will accept out of desperation. An experienced lawyer knows these tactics and won’t let insurers get away with underpaying. Personal injury attorneys negotiate strongly using the evidence in your case to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Hiring one almost always leads to a much higher final settlement amount.
In some instances, hiring a personal injury lawyer might not be the best decision for you.
Plaintiff’s lawyers typically take one-third of whatever settlement they obtain for you plus expenses if you use one on a contingency fee basis. For minor injuries that are easy to settle, you may come out ahead handling it yourself and keeping the full amount. But for major injury claims with high medical bills and losses, that one-third fee is usually worth it to have an aggressive negotiator fighting for you to maximize compensation.
Around 95% of personal injury claims settle out of court before trial. If the at-fault insurer does not dispute fault and your damages are straightforward, hiring a lawyer may be unnecessary. For example, minor soft tissue injuries from a rear-end accident often resolve fairly easily without an attorney’s help. Though having one benefits you more often than not if your accident injuries are substantial.
Overall, working with a qualified personal injury attorney benefits most accident victims who suffered more than just minor injuries. Though they take a cut of proceeds, having an aggressive negotiator fighting for the maximum compensation usually outweighs the cost. For less complex cases like minor soft tissue injuries, you may fare just as well handling things yourself. Evaluate your specific accident injuries and needs to decide if hiring a personal injury lawyer is your best move.
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This post brought to you by Kristina R
