The Benefits of Professional Representation in Personal Injury Claims
Want to learn how to get the maximum possible payout for your injury claim?
Every year, tens of thousands of people are injured in accidents. Some of them choose to represent themselves. Others hire professional legal representation.
Let’s just say the results between these two groups are not even close.
People with professional legal help end up getting paid multiples more than people who go at it alone.
Attempting to represent yourself is like going up against a heavyweight fighter with one arm tied behind your back.
Before we get into the details on this, you’re going to need to know how important legal representation is if you plan on taking on the insurance industry.
Let’s cover a few critical points:
- Why Professional Legal Help Changes Everything
- The Real Cost of Going Solo
- Insurance Companies Play Games
- The Stats Don’t Lie
- Professional Representation Maximizes Payout
Why Professional Legal Help Changes Everything
Personal injury claims are not a simple paperwork transaction.
They’re a complicated legal dispute with a multi-million dollar insurance industry.
Here’s the problem: Insurance companies have entire departments of lawyers, adjusters and investigators working for them.
It’s not their job to be fair. It’s their job to pay out as little as possible.
So when you file a claim, the only things going against you are trained legal professionals.
The scale of their resources becomes more clear once you understand that insurance companies spend millions of dollars every year training their staff.
They run every possible tactic through focus groups to see which ones have the best effect on unrepresented claimants.
Hmmm…
If you’ve just been seriously injured, have a mountain of medical bills and are out work, do you have the time and resources to learn every nuance of personal injury law?
No, you don’t. And that’s why a qualified personal injury lawyer in Georgia is so important. They know every tactic that insurance companies use and are prepared to counteract them.
Professional representation instantly levels the playing field.
The insurance company can’t game the system the way they normally do because you have someone who knows the law back to front.
The Real Cost of Going Solo
Ok, here’s something that may come as a surprise.
Most people who opt to represent themselves believe they are saving money by not hiring a lawyer. The truth is they are actually costing themselves money.
The statistics paint an alarming picture for unrepresented claimants.
Did you know that 91% of claimants with legal representation are awarded a settlement compared to just 51% of those without a lawyer?
But wait, there’s more…
The average person without legal representation ends up with a settlement amount of just $17,600. On the other hand, claimants with legal representation receive settlements that are 3.5 times higher at a whopping $77,600 in compensation.
Do the math on that for a second. That’s a $60,000 difference.
And this is AFTER lawyer’s fees are taken into account. The same study shows represented claimants still receive nearly three times as much compensation as those who represent themselves.
Amazing…
Insurance Companies Play Games
Insurance adjusters are professionals. They know all the tricks of the trade when it comes to settlement games.
Here’s some of the things they do:
- Make unreasonable requests for documentation to slow down claims
- Try and pay people as little as possible in desperation
- Use recorded statements against claimants
- Dispute the necessity of medical treatment
- Call people’s pre-existing condition claims into question
Professional legal help ends all of these games right off the bat. Lawyers know which documentation is legitimate and which is a fishing expedition.
Professional legal help also knows medical terminology. They know how to talk to your doctor to get the strongest case possible.
You’ve Got To Build Your Case The Right Way
Lawyers have access to resources you don’t even know exist:
- Expert medical witnesses
- Accident reconstruction specialists
- Experience with previous case law
- Insurers tactics knowledge
- Negotiation skills honed over a lifetime
All of these tools go straight to your bank account in the form of larger settlement payouts.
The Stats Don’t Lie
You cannot make up these statistics. Insurance companies treat represented and non-represented claimants very differently.
According to research, 95% of personal injury cases settle out of court. This means most cases never see a courtroom but are resolved through skilled negotiation.
When claimants have professional help, insurers know they can’t lowball a settlement because an experienced lawyer knows the real value and will take the case to trial if necessary.
This potential for a trial translates to better settlement offers.
Professional Representation Maximizes Payout
Professional help does more than just negotiate bigger settlements. It also ensures you get every last cent you are owed.
Here are some of the things people often forget to claim:
- Future medical expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- Property damage costs
- Transport costs for medical visits
Lawyers have checklists to make sure nothing gets forgotten and know how to document and present all of the damages.
The Contingency Fee Advantage
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency fees. This means you pay nothing upfront.
Most fees range between 33% and 40% of the total settlement. While this may seem high, it’s important to remember that the same statistics show you will still make more money overall with professional representation.
You get paid, your lawyer gets paid.
Understanding the Legal Process
Personal injury claims are an involved legal process that non-lawyers often find confusing:
- Investigation and evidence gathering
- Compilation and review of medical records
- Preparing and submitting demand letter
- Negotiation with insurers
- Litigation if necessary
Each of these steps require their own experience and knowledge. One mistake at any stage can cost you thousands.
Professional lawyers will take you through the process and take care of all of the leg work.
Time Is Critical
In personal injury cases, there are strict time limits called statutes of limitation. If you miss these deadlines you lose your right to compensation.
Lawyers take care of all the time sensitive filing to make sure you don’t miss anything. They also know how to preserve evidence before it disappears or is destroyed.
This is why early legal involvement is so important. Evidence is fresh and witnesses are available.
Common Mistakes That Cost Money
Here are some of the most common mistakes unrepresented claimants make that cost them thousands in compensation:
- Accepting the first offer
- Giving recorded statements without prep
- Settling early before full injuries known
- Missing important deadlines
- Failing to document all damages
Professional representation helps you avoid making these mistakes.
Wrapping Things Up
In short, the evidence is clear: professional representation has a massively positive impact on the outcome of personal injury claims.
The statistics are undeniable. Claimants with lawyers end up with more money in their pockets, a better understanding of their case value and superior results.
The key benefits are clear:
- Higher settlement amounts
- Improved knowledge of claim value
- Protection from insurance company tactics
- Full documentation of all damages
- Peace of mind during a stressful time
Don’t allow the insurance companies to take advantage of you. The value of legal representation is immeasurable when it comes to personal injury claims.
Professional legal help is not an expense, it is an investment that pays for itself many times over.
