What do you call a person who gets millions in an accident case and another person who gets pennies?
It’s not chance or anything about their injuries. It is something else…
Legal Representation.
If you’ve ever been in an accident and had to deal with insurance companies, mounting medical bills, lost time from work, and more… then you understand the stress involved. You might even have dreams of one day being able to pay all these bills from a settlement.
In reality, most people have no idea what that settlement should even be. And that’s because it’s not just about your medical expenses.
Here’s what you may not know…
Table of Contents
- Why Experienced Legal Counsel is Priceless
- The Numbers Don’t Lie
- What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You To Know
- How to Choose the Best Legal Help
- Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Why Experienced Legal Counsel is Priceless
For a second, think about this…
Insurance companies have entire departments full of lawyers, adjusters, and investigators whose job is to reduce what they pay on claims. They have years of experience and unlimited resources fighting claims and will do everything they can to pay out as little as possible.
And you’re supposed to go up against that monster… by yourself?
Here’s the truth: Personal injury law is complicated. There are statutes of limitations, comparative fault rules, damage calculations, and procedural rules which make or break your claim. Miss one deadline or file the wrong form and your claim could be denied entirely.
An experienced personal injury lawyer comes armed with years of legal knowledge to help you with your claim. They understand how insurance companies will try to lowball you. They have experience valuing claims correctly. Most importantly, they know how to fight for the kind of compensation you truly deserve.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The statistics are kind of staggering once you look at what happens to people who hire a lawyer vs. those who go it alone.
About 91% of people with legal representation receive settlement payouts, compared to only 51% of those who don’t hire an attorney. That’s almost double the success rate simply by having a professional involved.
But it gets even better…
The amount of money matters too. The average person with a lawyer receives a settlement that’s nearly 3 times larger than those who represent themselves. Even after paying legal fees, most clients still walk away with many times more money in their pocket.
Why such a huge difference?
Insurance companies know they can lowball unrepresented claimants. They rely on people not knowing the true value of their case. They throw legal jargon at you, apply pressure, and offer quick settlements in order to close cases for as little as possible.
When you have experienced legal counsel? The whole dynamic changes.
What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Insurance adjusters will often try to convince you that hiring a lawyer is unnecessary. They’ll say things like “let’s settle this quickly to save you the hassle” or “lawyers are going to take a big chunk of your settlement.”
What they won’t tell you:
Insurance companies have internal settlement authority guidelines based on whether or not a claimant is represented by counsel. When you have a lawyer, they often need approval for higher settlement amounts. Without one? The adjuster may often be able to close your case with a minimal payout.
They also know that most people don’t even know how to properly calculate damages. Your claim is more than just medical bills. It should include:
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Future medical treatment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Most people focus only on the medical costs they’ve incurred and miss out on thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars in additional compensation they’re owed.
The Settlement Reality
Approximately 95% of personal injury cases settle instead of going to trial. This means an attorney’s negotiation skills and reputation is a huge factor.
Insurance companies know which lawyers will take a case to trial if necessary. They also know which attorneys have a history of winning large verdicts. This information is at the forefront of every settlement negotiation.
When you’re unrepresented, insurance companies can lowball offers knowing you likely don’t have the resources or knowledge to take the case to court. When they’re dealing with a good attorney, they know the person on the other side knows the true value of your case.
How to Choose the Best Legal Help
Not all personal injury attorneys are created equal. Some are content with quick settlements and high case volume. Others take time to thoroughly investigate and maximize your recovery.
Here’s what to look for:
Someone with specific experience in your type of claim. A generalist who handles everything from divorces to criminal defense won’t have the same in-depth knowledge as someone who only practices personal injury law.
Look for attorneys with a history of taking cases to trial if necessary. Insurance companies do their research on lawyers before making settlement offers. They know which ones will litigate and which ones will fold.
Ask about their fee structure up front. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win. But fee percentages vary, and you want to know precisely what you’ll owe if successful.
Mistakes You Need to Avoid
The biggest mistake? Waiting too long to get legal help. Evidence is lost, witnesses become unreliable, and you could even be barred from filing if you wait too long. The sooner you get expert guidance, the stronger your case is.
Another mistake is accepting the first offer. Insurance companies almost always start low, expecting to negotiate. Without a solid grasp of your claim’s value, you may take less than you deserve.
Don’t try to handle complex cases alone. If your injuries are severe, if there are multiple liable parties, or if the insurance company is pushing hard for a quick settlement… those are red flags that you should not be doing this on your own.
Wrapping Things Up
The value of expert legal counsel in personal injury matters isn’t just about the money… although that’s certainly significant. It’s about evening the playing field against well-funded insurance companies who make a profit when you settle for less than you deserve.
Statistics show that people with legal representation receive better outcomes. They recover more money, they have increased likelihoods of receiving settlements, and they don’t have to navigate the complex legal system by themselves.
When you’re in the middle of serious injuries, mounting bills, and an uncertain future… having experienced legal counsel isn’t just a nice thing to have. It’s an absolute necessity. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation. Get the professional help you need to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
