Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident and been wondering if you need a lawyer?
Millions of Americans every year sustain injuries from accidents. Car accidents, slip and falls, work-related injuries, medical malpractice, and much more are more common than you might think. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 31 million Americans per year seek medical treatment for injuries.
Here’s the problem:
Insurance companies are not your friends. They employ armies of lawyers and adjusters to get you the least amount of money possible. Going up against them without a lawyer on your side is a battle you can’t win.
The good news? Hiring the right lawyer can make a world of difference to your case.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the facts and stats that prove why hiring a personal injury lawyer is one of the best decisions you can make after being involved in an accident.
Table of Contents:
- Why Personal Injury Cases Require Professional Assistance
- Average Settlement Statistics with and Without a Lawyer
- Why Personal Injury Law Is So Complicated
- How a Lawyer Can Even the Odds for Claimants
- The Hidden Price of Self-Representation
Why Personal Injury Cases Require Professional Assistance
Personal injury law isn’t something you can learn by Googling a few guides.
Here’s why: The legal system is convoluted, and insurance companies know it. They prey on injured victims who may not know their rights or how to properly value their claims. Personal injury cases require experience, finesse, and negotiation skills, things the average person is not equipped with when suffering through medical bills, lost wages, and recovery time.
If you needed heart surgery you wouldn’t look up YouTube videos and then perform the surgery yourself. The same logic applies to personal injury cases. Professional personal injury lawyers in Richmond and across the country spend years becoming injury law experts, learning insurance company tricks, and becoming experts at negotiating settlements.
Average Settlement Statistics with and Without a Lawyer
Let’s look at some statistics from around the country:
People with legal representation receive settlements nearly 3.5 times higher than those who file their own claims. This was found by the Insurance Research Council, one of the largest research groups in the industry.
But the statistics get even more astounding…
A Nolo study also found that 91% of people with lawyers received payouts versus only 51% of those who filed solo. Getting a lawyer on your side doesn’t just help you get more money – it nearly doubles your chance of being paid at all.
Lawyers fees are between 33%-40%, meaning even after paying a lawyer you still end up with about three times the money the average self-represented claimant would get.
Here are the raw numbers:
- Claim with a lawyer: Average payout of $77,600
- Claim filed on own: Average payout of $17,600
- Difference: Taking home about $52,000 versus $17,600 after paying 33% attorney fee
That is the difference between being able to pay your medical bills and having money left over or struggling to pay your bills.
What Makes Personal Injury Law So Complex
Personal injury law cases are much more than proving the other person was negligent.
Claimants need to know:
- Statute of limitations: If you miss the time deadline, you will no longer be able to sue for any injuries (for any amount).
- Comparative negligence laws: Can impact your ability to recover damages if you were partially at fault
- Insurance policy limits: Carrying policies limits and knowing what coverage is available
- Medical documentation: Properly linking your injuries with your accident
- Future damages: Future medical costs, lost wages and earning capacity, and ongoing suffering
All the states have different rules too. What might be the best personal injury strategy in California could be a total disaster in Texas. Insurance companies know these laws inside and out, and they are not above using this knowledge to their advantage.
For example, they might try and get you to make statements that could later be used against you or pressure you to settle quickly before you know the full extent of your injuries.
How a Lawyer Can Even the Odds for Claimants
Professional personal injury attorneys are a force to be reckoned with.
Lawyers provide:
Case Evaluation
Lawyers know what your claim is actually worth. They have experience with hundreds of cases like yours and know how to properly value your case. They know to look for things you may not consider such as future medical costs, long-term lost earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Investigation Support
Personal injury lawyers have relationships with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and investigators that can help them gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a solid case that is harder for insurance companies to push back on.
Negotiation Skills
Insurance adjusters work with settlements every day. It is most likely your first and only personal injury case for you. Lawyers know their tactics and can use that knowledge to counter the insurance company during settlement discussions.
Trial Experience
While 95% of personal injury claims are settled outside of court, having a lawyer who will fight your case to trial if need be provides a ton of leverage during negotiation talks.
The Hidden Price of Self-Representation
When you try to handle your own personal injury claim, you can end up losing big.
This is because:
Pressure to Settle
Insurance companies love unrepresented claimants because they can make a quick, low settlement offer. They are hoping you’ll take it before you know what your claim is truly worth.
Missed Deadlines
Personal injury law is all about deadlines. Miss the statutory deadline and your case will be dismissed no matter how strong of a case you had.
Improper Documentation
Without medical documentation and expert testimony, you may not be able to prove your case or the full extent of your injuries.
Lowball Offers
Insurance companies offer significantly less money to claimants who do not have experienced representation.
Understanding Contingency Fees and Case Costs
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency. This means you do not pay unless they win.
Fee structures look like:
- 33% if settled before filing a lawsuit
- 40% if the case goes to trial
Some individuals are worried about having to pay attorney fees. Remember the statistics we discussed earlier? Even after paying a lawyer, you will most likely still end up with far more money in your pocket than you would have if you handled the case yourself.
Keep in mind that most attorneys also cover all the costs associated with your case up front, only having you pay if they win. They will not take your case if they do not think it is strong.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Don’t wait to get a lawyer.
Contact a lawyer right away if:
- Your injuries are severe or permanent
- The accident caused death
- More than one party may be at fault
- The insurance company denied your claim
- You are being rushed to settle
- The accident happened at work
The sooner a lawyer is involved the more evidence they can gather and preserve and protect your rights.
Wrapping Things Up
Personal injury cases are simply too important to do by yourself.
The facts don’t lie – professional representation can dramatically increase both your odds of getting paid and the amount of money you are paid. With settlement amounts found to be 3.5x higher for represented claimants, hiring a lawyer is not just smart – it’s necessary.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during one of the most vulnerable points in your life. Get professional help and give your case the best possible chance of success.
