After someone has been seriously injured in an accident, the insurance company responsible for liability payments may be quick to make a settlement offer. However, that amount often seems suspiciously low to the person dealing with the aftermath. This individual might make a counteroffer in writing and then worry when weeks pass with no response. Whether or not to hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Ottawa County becomes an important decision.
The Advantages of Hiring a Lawyer
It’s often said that lawyers can help clients acquire higher settlements, but is that really true for the average person? Are there any statistics verifying this? The first thing to understand is that a large majority, more than 90 percent, of cases in which the injured person receives compensation are settled out of court. News stories about enormous court awards are reporting on situations that are relatively rare.
Nevertheless, research indicates that having a professional legal representation such as a Personal Injury Attorney in Ottawa County can be advantageous. Lawyers know the finer points of negotiating with insurance companies. Insurers want to avoid going to trial, and they understand that the risk of going to trial increases dramatically once the claimant hires legal counsel. They become more willing to offer more money and be done with the matter.
Expert Insight
The Insurance Research Council has found that injured persons represented by a lawyer receive about 3 times more compensation on average in settlements than those without an attorney. A bone fracture was a primary example of an injury for which insurers paid dramatically more to the individuals represented by lawyers. is for more information.
Without legal counsel, the average person may simply not understand what type of compensation should be expected. Lawyers have the resources to research prior case history, and they also tend to be very knowledgeable on the subjects from their own experience.
This example points out the problem with an average person trying to figure out whether a settlement offer is reasonable or not. Without experience in these issues, it can be very difficult to determine the fairness of the offer. A free consultation with an attorney at a firm like the can provide greater clarity.
