Ready to make the biggest mistake of your life?
That’s right. Filing a personal injury case without legal representation. Every year, thousands of people are injured because of the negligence of others. And 9 times out of 10…
These injury victims end up with significantly less money than they should have.
Here’s why:
Insurance companies aren’t out there to help you recover from your accident. They’re a business and their goal is to pay you as little money as possible. It’s an uphill battle for the untrained individual.
In this guide, we’re going to cover:
- How Legal Representation Changes Everything
- The True Cost of Going It Alone
- Why Personal Injury Law Is So Complex
- Types of Cases That Need Legal Representation
How Legal Representation Changes Everything
Here’s something that will probably surprise you…
According to the Insurance Research Council, accident victims who have legal representation are likely to receive a settlement nearly 3.5x higher than people who don’t. I’m not kidding you. We’re talking thousands of extra dollars.
Why does this happen?
Personal injury attorneys know exactly what your case is worth. They’ve seen hundreds of cases just like yours and know the full value of your injuries, missed work, and pain and suffering.
When you choose to hire a personal injury lawyer in Hartford, CT, you’re not just getting an attorney to negotiate with the insurance company for you. You’re getting a team that’s an expert in personal injury law.
And the cherry on top? You don’t pay your lawyer unless you win.
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees. This means they only get paid if they obtain a settlement for you or win your case at trial.
The True Cost of Going It Alone
You might be thinking: “Sure, I’ll hire a lawyer, but what about attorney fees?”
Here’s a reality check for you:
You will end up with LESS money if you go at it alone.
A recent study has shown that 91% of claimants with legal representation received a payout, while only 51% of self-represented people were paid. Even after attorney fees, people with lawyers left the process with roughly three times as much compensation as people without.
When you go it alone, this is what happens:
- You’ll accept a lowball offer from the insurance company
- You’ll miss important deadlines
- You’ll make mistakes that hurt your case
Insurance adjusters do this for a living. They see you without a lawyer and smell blood in the water.
Why Personal Injury Law Is So Complex
Personal injury law is one of the most complex areas of law.
It’s not something you can Google and figure out overnight.
Here’s the issue:
Every state has different laws, different time limits, and different rules about how much you can recover in a personal injury case. If you’re even 1% at fault for your accident in some states, your compensation will be reduced by that percentage.
Skilled personal injury attorneys know to look for evidence you would never think to search for:
- Surveillance video from nearby businesses
- Expert accident reconstruction reports
- Medical records that prove the extent of your injuries
- Witness testimony that backs up your story
Knowing what doctors to refer you to and what tests to order can make or break your case.
Types of Cases That Need Legal Representation
Not all personal injury claims are the same. Some certainly need legal representation more than others.
If your case involves:
- Serious injuries (broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage)
- Permanent disability (anything that affects your ability to work in the long-term)
- Medical malpractice (one of the most complex personal injury cases)
- Product liability (defective products that caused your injury)
Then it’s 100% necessary that you have a lawyer.
Something most people don’t realize:
The more serious your injury, the more the insurance company will fight you. They know a serious injury means they will have to pay out a lot of money, so they will use every trick in the book to reduce their payout.
How Insurance Companies Really Work
Insurance companies are not on your side.
Here’s a secret about how they work:
They have entire departments and teams of professionals whose job it is to pay you as little money as possible. These adjusters are trained to know exactly what to say and do to get you to accept a low settlement.
Some of their favorite tactics include:
- Calling you right after the accident when you’re disoriented, in pain, and emotional
- Asking you to make recorded statements that they can twist around later
- Trying to get you to settle before you even know the full extent of your injuries
But here’s what happens when you have a lawyer:
Insurance companies can’t use these tactics anymore. Your lawyer handles all communication with them and they won’t allow you to settle your case before you know the full extent of your injuries.
It really is that simple. Insurance companies respect lawyers because they know that personal injury attorneys know the system.
The Settlement Process, Explained
Most people think that personal injury cases always go to trial.
That’s not the case.
Personal injury cases are meant to settle out of court. In fact, about 95% of personal injury cases settle before a judge or jury ever hears about them. Trials are expensive, time-consuming, and both parties take a gamble.
It’s a simple process:
Your attorney will investigate your case, gather evidence, and calculate the value of your claim. Then they’ll negotiate with the insurance company until you arrive at a fair and reasonable settlement.
If all else fails:
Your lawyer will file a lawsuit and prepare for trial. But even then, most cases are settled before the court date.
What Your Case Is Really Worth
That’s the question everyone wants to know the answer to, right?
The fact of the matter is…
Every case is different. But by understanding the factors that go into settlement amounts, you can at least have a ballpark estimate.
Personal injury settlements are largely based on:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- The other party’s degree of fault
Personal injury settlements can range anywhere from $3,000 to $75,000. Serious cases can result in much higher settlements.
How to Choose the Right Legal Team
All personal injury attorneys are not the same.
Here’s what you should look for:
You want someone who has experience with cases just like yours. A lawyer who handles divorce cases shouldn’t be the person you choose for your car accident claim.
Here are a few questions you should ask at your consultation:
- How many cases similar to mine have you handled?
- What were the results of those cases?
- How do you charge for your services?
Here are a few red flags to keep an eye out for:
Lawyers who guarantee results, ask for money up front, and pressure you to sign immediately.
Wrapping It All Up
Personal injury law is no joke. Insurance companies are skilled negotiators. The rules are complex. The consequences are severe.
Going it alone is like going into a gunfight with a knife.
The statistics are clear. Claimants who have legal representation have better outcomes. They end up with more money, avoid mistakes that cost them thousands, and receive the medical treatment they need.
If you’ve been injured because of the negligence of someone else, don’t try to take it on yourself. The insurance company has an entire team of lawyers working around the clock to pay you as little money as possible.
Shouldn’t you have someone fighting just as hard for you?
Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations. You have nothing to lose by getting an opinion from an attorney about your case.
