Is Hiring An Attorney Worth It? (Car Accident Case Edition)

When it comes to car accident claims, especially in a no-fault state, you may believe that your case will be relatively cut and dry. In a no-fault state like Florida, car accident victims will need to seek compensation from the insurance companies involved. 

Pretty simple, right?

Well, not necessarily! Even if your case is straightforward, research suggests that hiring an attorney to handle your claim holds a host of benefits. Let’s get into it below!

Benefits of Attorney Involvement in Car Accident Cases

The Insurance Research Council conducted a study where they researched several differences across many states, some PIP and some Bodily Injury. The study found that in the state of Florida, roughly half of all PIP claimants hired legal representation. 

The results for at-fault states did show similar numbers. Whether a victim had PIP or BI coverage, the results didn’t differ very much – so why was that? 

Victims that hired an attorney experienced the following benefits:

Better Compensation 

According to a survey conducted by Lawyers.com,  the odds of getting compensation without the help of a trusted attorney is only roughly 50%. Compared to 91% of victims that opted to hire an attorney. Not only did they find that victims are more likely to receive compensation with legal representation, but the compensation they receive is also often higher even after deducting lawyer fees. Their study found that the victims that opted to hire an attorney ended up with roughly three times the compensation of those that did not seek legal representation.

Why might this be? Well, when you reach out to your insurance company on your own prior to talking with an attorney, they will do everything they can to get you to settle right away. This will lower your compensation significantly.

More Thorough

Life is busy even before dealing with the mess after a car accident. It can be taxing to try to keep up with all of the deadlines, paperwork, medical appointments, and more after an accident. 

Sure, you could speed your way through a car accident claim, however, being thorough has its perks. It may take more time to reach a resolution, but in the end, you’ll receive better and more accurate compensation. 

Attorneys are there to provide expertise and guidance while keeping up with deadlines. 

Tailored Resources

Since lawyers deal with these situations on a daily basis, they have connections to valuable resources. From specialized medical practitioners to vehicle repair shops, an attorney will be able to provide you with expert direction for most resources you’ll need to get life back on track, plus they will be able to help you cover the costs through your compensation. 

Overall Satisfaction

The study concluded by finding that the victims that opted to hire an attorney were more likely to express overall satisfaction with their journey to compensation than those that decided to go at it alone. 

In the end, it is up to each individual client to decide whether hiring an attorney is worth it for them and their specific case. But the research does suggest that the decision to hire an attorney is often worth it in the end. 

If you’re considering hiring an attorney to represent you for a personal injury case, please give us a call for a free 15-minute consultation. Let’s see if we would be a good fit!