Medical bills pile up, lost wages take a toll, and the path to recovery is fraught with uncertainty. That’s the aftermath of a personal injury. While you are trying to contain the mayhem, you may be tempted to overlook the need to get in touch with a personal injury attorney.
In fact, often, personal injury victims feel that the services of a lawyer will simply be an added expense that they ought to forego. Here is the truth of the matter: enlisting the help of an experienced personal injury attorney will be one of the best decisions you make.
Here are the Top Six Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer:
- A lawyer knows the legal landscape: Flawless paperwork, in-depth knowledge of local laws and court rules, and network within the legal and judicial community can have a significant impact on the outcome of your personal injury claim. An experienced local attorney will have you covered on all these fronts and others.
- Leveling the Playing Field: Insurance firms strive to reduce claims by utilizing a large pool of resources and skilled adjusters. If you try it alone, you won’t succeed since there will be a lack of knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry. A lawyer will negotiate your settlement and defend your rights. Skilled Kansas personal injury attorneys know how to assess the worth of your claim by taking into account lost wages, future medical demands, and pain and suffering in addition to medical expenses.
- Gathering Evidence & Witness Testimony: Building a strong case requires meticulous evidence collection and bringing in the requisite expert testimony right when it’s needed. Your lawyer will know how to gather police reports, medical records, and witness statements that support your claim. They can also identify and interview expert witnesses who can strengthen your case.
- Negotiating a Settlement: Negotiation is the most complex part of the personal injury claim process, and while it may be your first time dealing with an insurance adjuster, for an experienced lawyer, this certainly won’t be his or her first rodeo. Moreover, most personal injury cases settle out of court, so your lawyer’s experience in negotiation is invaluable.
- Go to court if necessary: A competent lawyer will work hard to get you a settlement that fairly compensates you for all of your losses. Your attorney will be ready to take your case to court and fight for what you deserve, though, if a fair settlement cannot be achieved. The majority of insurance firms are hesitant to deal with the negative publicity that a legal dispute generates. Therefore, if word gets out that you mean business, odds are they’ll be ready to view things your way.
And finally, it all boils down to money!
- More Compensation: A study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) found that victims with legal representation received settlements around 3.5 times higher than those without.
- Increased Likelihood of Settlement: Another study by Nolo showed that 91% of people with a lawyer received a settlement, compared to only 51% of those without.
- Higher Average Payouts: The same Nolo study found that those with an attorney received an average settlement of $77,600, compared to just $17,600 for unrepresented individuals. Even after attorney fees, the net payout for represented clients was nearly three times higher on average.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is an investment in your future
A skilled attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, potentially securing a much larger settlement than you could achieve on your own. A personal injury lawyer takes the legal burden off your shoulders. Give DeVaughn James a call today! Our attorneys will handle all communication with the insurance company, allowing you to concentrate on your physical and mental well-being.