Why should I hire an injury lawyer?

Why should I hire an injury lawyer?

Many injured people dealing with their insurance company wonder what difference hiring a lawyer has on your injury claim and if they should just negotiate themselves. Injury lawyers offer a unique skillset that can increase your settlement offer and get you to a resolution more quickly than you would reach if you are fighting the battle alone.

Insurance companies work hard to pay you as little as possible after you’ve been injured in an accident. There is often a back-and-forth between parties, each vying to prove the other party deserves more blame for the accident. The much larger and well-financed insurance company usually has the upper hand in these negotiations. A personal injury lawyer’s job is to push back against the insurance company’s claims and prove you deserve the largest award possible for your injuries. We level the playing field.

You may think that by threatening to involve a lawyer when negotiating with the insurance company, it will get you a fairer settlement. Even if you could value your case accurately, the threat of hiring a lawyer is not enough. To have leverage, the case has to be properly documented with the right evidence, so the insurance adjuster can justify the settlement to the insurance executives who oversee them. The threat of hiring a lawyer is a soft threat that does not worry the insurance company. Having a lawyer who can build the evidence and leverage the process to help obtain a fair settlement can make a significant difference.

There are several ways lawyers can help you through your injury claim by building you a stronger case, retaining experts on your behalf, and applying their expertise to maximize your claim’s value.

1. A lawyer has a thorough understanding of the law

Unless you have specialized legal training, you are not likely to know all the laws that pertain to your situation. A lawyer will identify the legal issues and relevant laws related to your accident and provide an in depth understanding of those laws as well as how they are interpreted within the local court system.

2. A lawyer has experience in negotiating settlements

It is common for an insurance company to offer you a lowball offer to avoid a personal injury lawsuit in an attempt to settle your claim as quickly as possible. A lawyer will negotiate for fair compensation based on your injuries and has specific training and negotiating tactics, as well as years of experience to get you advantageous settlements. The best way to negotiate a claim is to advance it procedurally and get a trial date. An experienced lawyer knows how to avoid delay and advance the case toward a successful outcome.

3. A lawyer will communicate with the insurance company for you

After suffering an accident injury or disability denial, having to communicate with an adversarial insurance company can add even more stress to an already difficult time. The insurer may try to pressure you to accept a settlement offer. When you hire a lawyer, your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. At MacGillivray Law, we deal with insurance companies every day. We know what information to provide, what questions to ask, and we will fight for you when your rights are being denied.

4. A lawyer will help prove liability by gathering evidence

An injury lawsuit relies heavily on reports and evidence in order to prove fault, negligence or liability. A lawyer will gather evidence on your behalf to support your injury claim. Evidence may include surveillance videos, witness statements, accident reports and medical reports from health care professionals and treatment providers.

5. A lawyer can access expert witnesses

An experienced personal injury lawyer knows which type of expert reports should be acquired to support your injuries and maximize your claim value. They will also know who the leading experts are in each field are. Examples of common experts include medical professionals, actuaries, and accident reconstruction specialists.

6. A lawyer knows how to maximize the value of your claim

An experienced personal injury lawyer will evaluate your injuries and assess factors such as how your income has been (or will be) impacted, how your daily living activities have been impacted, and what treatment costs you will incur in the future. These are referred to as general damages. They will assess the total value of your loss, past and present, including any future needs such as medical treatment or mobility aids, and ensure that you are being compensated fairly.

7. A lawyer can offer peace of mind

When you retain the services of a lawyer, you can focus on your own physical recovery instead of worrying about the claim process. People who choose to represent themselves often overlook important evidence such as cell phone records, surveillance camera footage, and other potential proof of negligence and liability. Sometimes they also overlook future medical bills, loss of earning capacity, and damages such as pain and suffering, which can be substantial after a serious car accident.

Our lawyers will compile all documentation and evidence needed to strengthen your claim and can help you avoid mistakes like accepting a settlement too early, accepting a low settlement, posting damaging information about your case on social media, or putting off your medical evaluation.

How to choose the right lawyer

Partner Nicolle Snow discusses qualities to look for when hiring a lawyer to represent you in your injury or disability claim.

At MacGillivray Injury & Insurance Law, we offer a free consultation where you can assess if our team is the right fit to represent you.