There’s no question that hiring a personal injury attorney can be expensive. However, if you’ve been injured in an accident, the cost of hiring an attorney may be worth it.
In many cases, personal injury attorneys will work on a contingency basis. This means that the attorney will not charge you any fees unless they are able to obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
In this article, we will find out if hiring a personal injury attorney is worth it or if it is just a waste of money.
Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Here are some reasons why hiring a personal injury attorney will ultimately save you money:
Overall Expenses
In case you’re not aware, filing a lawsuit can get pricey very fast. There are court costs, filing fees, and other charges associated with the entire process. Even before the actual trial begins, there could be many arguments over evidence and interrogatories – all of which will take up both your time as well as that of the insurance adjuster.
Just from those parts alone, at least one attorney could be needed-not to mention any other experts or witnesses that might need to be present. All of these expenses can really add up, and you may find yourself footing a lot of the bill for them by the end of it all if you don’t have an experienced personal injury attorney fighting on your behalf.
Settlement Amounts
As a rule, insurance companies are going to offer very low settlement amounts to claimants who pursue their injuries claims without an attorney. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but this one is pretty standard. Insurance adjusters know that most people will accept whatever amount they’re offered without question and move on.
This is why they’ll often low-ball claimants with the hopes that they’ll just take the money and go away. However, if you have an experienced personal injury attorney representing you, they will know how to negotiate a fair settlement amount that will cover all of your expenses and then some. This could end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Length of Time
It generally takes longer to settle a personal injury claim without an attorney than it does with one. This is because insurance adjusters know that those who are unrepresented typically don’t know what they’re doing and will take whatever offer they’re given.
Experienced attorneys, on the other hand, know how to build a strong case for their clients and negotiate the best possible settlement. They also know when to walk away from a bad deal and what is in their client’s best interest in order to get them the money they deserve as quickly as possible.
Expenses You’ll Pay
The more you put into your case, the more you’ll get out of it. In the end-and that’s just basic economics. If you hire an experienced personal injury attorney, they will take all of your expenses off of your hands so that you don’t have to worry about them when looking at how much money you’re going to be receiving after settling with the insurance company.
Even if it takes some time for your claim to go through, knowing that these fees are being handled by someone else will take a lot of the stress off of you.
Win or Lose, You’re Protected
If your case should go to trial, having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side will be invaluable. Not only will they know exactly what to do and say in court, but they’ll also be able to present the best possible case on your behalf. This is important, especially if the insurance company decides to bring in its own legal team. If you lose your case, your attorney can still help you get back on your feet by filing an appeal.
However, if you were to represent yourself and lost, there would be no one to help you file that appeal or get any other assistance. In the end, it’s always a good idea to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. They can help you get the money you deserve without putting you out any money themselves.
They’ll also take care of all of the expenses associated with your case so that you don’t have to worry about them. If you’re thinking about filing a personal injury claim, be sure to contact an attorney today and get started on your case.
Things To Keep In Mind When Deciding Whether Or Not To Hire An Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident, there are several things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to hire an attorney. Here are a few factors to consider:
1. The severity of your injuries
If you’ve suffered serious injuries, it may be worth it to hire an attorney. Serious injuries can result in expensive medical bills, and you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
2. The extent of the damage to your vehicle
If your car was damaged in the accident, you might be able to recover the cost of repairs from the other driver’s insurance company. However, this can be difficult if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. In these cases, it may be worth it to hire an attorney.
3. The amount of liability insurance coverage available
If the other driver has minimum liability insurance coverage, you may not be able to recover much money from them. However, if they have a high amount of coverage, you may be able to recover a significant amount of money.
4. The time constraints of your claim
If you’ve suffered serious injuries, there may be a limited amount of time during which you can file a claim for damages before the statute of limitations expires. There are typically only two years to file a personal injury claim in most states, so it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible if you think that you may have a valid claim.
5. How much money is at stake?
Many people don’t realize this, but some cases will settle without ever having to go to trial. This is especially true when dealing with an insurance company because they want to avoid court costs and bad publicity associated with taking the case all the way through trial.
6. The reputation and experience of the attorney you’re considering hiring
If you’re not confident that an attorney can win your case, it may be in your best interest to hire a different one. You should also take into consideration how long they have been practicing personal injury law and the number of similar cases they have handled in the past.
7. How much time and effort will be put into your case?
Hiring an attorney doesn’t guarantee success; if anything, it does just the opposite because no two people are working on your case instead of just yourself or a paralegal who is already familiar with your situation. In many cases, attorneys charge more when there is more work involved in a case, so make sure the fee seems fair.
8. How much can you afford to pay?
You should consider getting a quote from the attorney before moving forward with your case. Many will ask for a retainer fee that must be paid upfront, while others will work on a contingency basis and only charge fees if they obtain a settlement or verdict for you. It’s important to discuss this in detail before hiring an attorney because it may prevent any inconvenience later on if you change your mind about retaining them after learning how much their fees are going to cost you.
Conclusion
Hiring a personal injury attorney can be a great decision for those who are looking to get the most out of their injury claim. Experienced attorneys know how to negotiate with insurance companies and will take care of all of the expenses associated with your case. They’ll also be there to represent you in court if needed. If you’re thinking about filing a personal injury claim, be sure to contact an attorney today.