The US personal injury law sector is huge and, as of this year, is worth around $57 million. A record 165,720 people were recruited into the sector last year, and there are 48,397 registered personal injury law businesses.
If you are one of the 39.5 million people who seek medical treatment for an injury each year, you might be wondering if a personal injury lawyer is worth your time and money.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
An experienced personal injury lawyer understands liability laws and procedures, evidence rules, valuation of claims, and negotiation tactics. They use this expertise to build the strongest argument to support and maximize your claim. While you can file an injury claim on your own, having a legal professional on your side levels the playing field against insurance companies.
Personal Injury Lawyers Receive Contingency Fees
In most cases, you will not be asked to pay any out-of-pocket legal fees or expenses up front. The contingency fee is a percentage (usually 33-to-45%) of the final compensation awarded for your claim. If you don’t win or receive a settlement from the other party, you don’t owe the lawyer anything. This means that hiring an injury attorney may allow you to get skilled representation without financial hardship or risk.
Personal Injury Lawyers Handle Time-Consuming Case Tasks
Pursuing a personal injury claim involves many complex, time-consuming tasks like investigating the accident, gathering evidence, dealing with insurance companies, negotiating a settlement, and filing a lawsuit if necessary. Handling all this yourself while recovering from an injury can add significant stress. A personal injury lawyer will lift that burden off your shoulders and use their expertise to navigate the claims process. This allows you to focus on recuperating physically and emotionally. For the 40% of car accident survivors who go on to develop PTSD, this is a lifesaver.
Most Personal Injury Cases Settle Out of Court
While television and movies often portray dramatic courtroom trials for injury lawsuits, the vast majority of these claims never reach trial. Approximately 95% of personal injury cases get resolved through an out-of-court settlement between the victim’s attorney and the insurance companies. Even for most cases that must file a lawsuit to encourage fair negotiation, only around 3% ultimately go to trial. So, you probably won’t have to face the stress and uncertainty of testifying or going before a jury.
Consider Less Tangible Benefits
Beyond the clear financial incentives of contingency fees and assistance with legal tasks, a personal injury attorney can provide other meaningful benefits. Having legal guidance when you may feel vulnerable can offer significant peace of mind. Negotiating with insurance companies and compensating for life-altering injuries or grief over losing a loved one are emotionally challenging responsibilities. Allowing an expert personal injury lawyer to handle such sensitive matters for you lets you focus your energy on healing and recovering.
Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is usually very beneficial for both the tangible advantages and intangible support they offer. With most attorneys providing representation on a contingency fee basis, there is little financial risk to hiring the right lawyer to fight for obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and damages. The investment of your time is worthwhile.
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