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Your personal injury claim might be worth a lot more than the insurance adjuster is telling you. In fact, the insurance industry’s own research has proven time and time again that people who are represented by a personal injury lawyer wind up with settlements about 3.5 times higher than those who try to represent themselves.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm have successfully recovered more than $1 billion for our deserving clients. We discuss the benefits of working with an experienced car accident lawyer below. If you still have questions about how we can help after reading the information below, contact us for a free consultation.
Does Having an Attorney Pay Off?
Some personal injury victims wrongly believe that they can save money by not hiring a personal injury lawyer. However, the Insurance Research Council has found that personal injury victims represented by an attorney received settlements nearly three and a half times higher than those without legal representation. This research was first published in 1999. However, the Insurance Research Council has conducted additional research since then and found that still holds true. Even after the attorney’s fees were taken into account, individuals who suffered similar injuries were much better off financially after hiring a lawyer.
The Insurance Research Council has also found that 85 percent of all insurance payouts for bodily injury claims went to people with an attorney. This research shows that having an attorney can translate to your claim being approved and for more money.
An internal study by Lawyers.com reached similar conclusions. It found that 91 percent of survey participants had received a payout when they had a lawyer, compared to just 51 percent who did not have a lawyer. Additionally, it found that even after deducting the lawyer’s contingency fee, claimants who had legal representation walked away with about three times more compensation than claimants who did not have a lawyer.
What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do for You?
If you were injured in a car accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you with your claim by:
- Investigating the accident and determining all liable parties
- Gathering evidence to establish liability
- Calculating the full extent of your damages
- Reviewing all applicable insurance company policies
- Filing a claim or lawsuit on your behalf
- Negotiating a fair settlement of your claim
- Representing you in court, if necessary
7 Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Some of the reasons why you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer instead of representing yourself include:
#1 – Lawyers Know the Law
Lawyers know the various laws that can affect your personal injury claim. They have studied the law for years and know how to apply it in ways that benefit you. A lawyer can review the facts of your case, analyze the evidence, and prepare legal arguments to fight for your fair compensation.
Additionally, lawyers are familiar with various deadlines that apply to your case, including the statute of limitations. This can help you act in a timely manner to preserve your rights.
#2 – Lawyers Can Help You Navigate the Complex Legal System
The legal system is complex. A qualified attorney can help you navigate it. Lawyers know where to file a case, how to prepare legal motions, and how to conduct discovery. If your case goes to court, a lawyer can prepare for trial.
#3 – Lawyers Have the Resources to Handle Your Case
Advancing a personal injury case can be expensive. You may have to pay filing costs, discovery costs, expert witness fees, and other expenses.
Personal injury lawyers may pay for these expenses upfront. Additionally, personal injury lawyers often have a network that can help build your claim, including medical experts, investigators, and other professionals who can establish liability and the full extent of your damages. Lawyers know when to bring in these extra resources to help your case.
#4 – Lawyers Offer Support
A lawyer can offer strategic and practical support throughout the process. Personal injury lawyers know the ins and outs of the claims process. They can give you information about what to expect and answer any questions that arise during the process. Anything you say to your lawyer is protected by attorney/client privilege, so you can communicate openly and honestly with them.
#5 – Lawyers Help You Consider All Your Options
When you are pursuing a personal injury claim, you may have various options. For example, you might settle your claim, continue to negotiate, arbitrate your claim, or proceed to trial. A personal injury lawyer can identify all of your options and the pros and cons of each. Your lawyer will advise you on the best path forward, but you can ultimately make the decision that is right for you.
#6 – Lawyers Look at the Big Picture
When you are considering settlement offers, a lawyer can advise you whether the offer will fairly compensate you for your losses. Lawyers will not only look at your immediate losses but also those you might confront in the future, such as a reduced earning capacity if you are unable to return to your regular job. Lawyers will take steps to protect your financial future. They can also look at ways to structure your settlement to reduce taxes or the effect your recovery has on any benefits you receive.
#7 – Lawyers Can Save You Time and Money
Ultimately, hiring a lawyer can save you time and money. Lawyers know how to advance claims. They are familiar with insurance company tactics that may try to deny or delay your claim and will work hard to ensure you are treated fairly. Lawyers can handle all of the paperwork, communications, and legal work related to your claim. Lawyers can help you avoid costly mistakes like missing a filing deadline or accepting a settlement offer that is too low to fairly compensate you. They can also negotiate for a fair settlement that factors in all of your losses so you do not leave money on the table.
Contact a Colorado Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were hurt in a car accident, the personal injury team at The Wilhite Law Firm is here to help you at every stage of your claim. We have fought to protect the rights of injury victims since 1977 and have successfully handled more than 40,000 claims. We are here for you 24/7 and do not charge a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Learn more about how we can help when you contact us for a free consultation.
