Is It Worth It to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Is it worth it to hire a personal injury lawyer? If your accident caused serious injuries requiring costly or long-term treatment, the circumstances of your accident are complex, or you are already struggling with a claim, hiring a New Orleans personal injury lawyer is worth it.

Knowledge of the Law and Insurance Claims System

If you are involved in an accident that has a profound impact on your life, a lawyer will know how to maximize your claim. Most people are unaware of how to calculate future costs fairly. Even fewer understand how to value qualitative damages, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.

As a result, most people who don’t have a personal injury lawyer’s knowledge and experience may claim less than they may deserve. They may struggle to present their claims accurately, providing evidence to demonstrate their entitlement to compensation.

If insurance companies contest claims, accident victims often think they must settle for less, even when this is not necessarily so. Insurance companies will have their own lawyers, and having representation levels the playing field, thereby improving your chances of receiving a fair settlement.

It is Worth It to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer When Accidents are Complicated

There are multiple reasons why accident scenarios may become complicated. For example, more than one party may be liable. That means determining how much to claim from each party involved. There is also a possibility that you are partly to blame for an accident, and insurance companies may try to elevate your share of fault to eliminate or limit the defendant’s liability.

According to La. Civ. Code § 2323, you cannot claim compensation if you are more than 50% to blame for an accident. Supposing your share of fault is 50% or less, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. You may need a lawyer to investigate your case and prevent blame-shifting.

When several parties contributed to your accident, you cannot claim all your damages from one of them. It takes an experienced injury lawyer to present a case that accurately shows what percentage of your damages each party is responsible for. The alternative may be rejected claims and a protracted process to recover damages.

It is Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer if Your Matter May Require Litigation

When people are very seriously injured or permanently disabled, the value of fair compensation can be very high. Insurance companies are reluctant to part with very large sums of money. Your lawyer should have relevant experience. For example, they should know how to negotiate a higher truck accident settlement. Even so, they may need to take your matter to court.

A strong personal injury lawyer will be ready to face opposition. Their reputation may deter insurance companies from challenging them. If they choose to contest the matter despite this, your lawyer may recover much more than they were initially willing to settle for.

An effective personal injury lawyer will know how to build a strong case, gather and present evidence, and work to counter arguments from lawyers representing the defendant’s insurance company. In our practice, we have often seen cases in which court verdicts result in settlements far higher than anything an insurance company was willing to offer.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer if You Receive an Early Settlement Offer or a Low Offer

When insurance companies seem eager to settle, you should consult a lawyer before responding. They may be aware that you are entitled to a much larger settlement, and hope that you will accept an immediate offer on the spur of the moment. Before you jump at the chance of quick compensation, consult a personal injury lawyer to find out what you may be entitled to.

Another scenario unfolds when people present their claims independently. They will often find that the compensation offered barely covers their immediate financial costs. You may face longer-term expenses, and the way your accident-related injuries affect your quality of life might mean you are entitled to far more than just your financial costs.

If either of these scenarios applies to you, our personal injury lawyers can offer an informed opinion. Having patience and pursuing your case diligently may mean that you recover hundreds of thousands of dollars more than insurance companies are initially willing to offer.

You Should Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer if Your Injuries Have Long-Term Consequences

Your financial security may be at stake if your injuries have long-term consequences. If your injuries mean that you will be disabled, either permanently or for a considerable time, your ability to earn will be seriously impacted. You will be reliant on your settlement, and without a fair outcome, you may face consequences, such as being unable to keep up with mortgage payments.

Other costs may affect you. For example, you may need to adapt your home to accommodate your disability. Your personal life may suffer as you find yourself unable to enjoy relationships and activities that previously meant a great deal to you, and the emotional toll of your situation cannot be overstated.

If this applies to you, consult our New Orleans catastrophic injury lawyer. You may be dependent on your settlement for a long time, and maximizing it may be your only way to ensure your family can enjoy financial security.

Find Out Whether It is Worth It to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After Fees and Costs

In most cases, it is worth it to hire a personal injury lawyer because you are likely to receive a better settlement. A confident personal injury lawyer should offer you a no-win-no-fee agreement, but do check who will pay expenses like court filing fees.

At Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers, we work to benefit our clients. We will be transparent about fees and costs, and we will be happy to demonstrate the potential benefits you may realize by choosing our award-winning lawyers to represent you.