Is It Worth It to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Attorney?
If you are considering filing a catastrophic injury lawsuit, you have likely found yourself wondering whether it is really worth it to hire an attorney. The short answer is almost always yes—and here’s why: The deck is stacked against accident victims. An attorney can, however, level the playing field and increase your chances of getting a favorable result.
Pros of Hiring a Catastrophic Injury Attorney
There are many benefits to hiring a catastrophic injury attorney, as they will handle all the minute details and complex legal work on your behalf:
- They can calculate damages to determine how much compensation you may recover;
- They can negotiate with the insurance company and save you from accepting a low settlement offer;
- They can investigate your case to uncover evidence and determine fault—then work to prove it;
- They can compile your insurance claim and lawsuit, making sure to dot all i’s and cross all t’s;
- They can work with legal deadlines, such as the statute of limitations, in mind to ensure you do not accidentally forfeit your legal rights; and
- They can speak to and obtain testimony from witnesses and experts.
In short, an attorney will boost your chances of success, both in court and in negotiations with insurance adjusters. Meanwhile, you won’t need to feel bogged down by legal work; you can focus on navigating the aftermath of the accident and regaining your health.
Cons of Hiring a Catastrophic Injury Attorney
The only real con to hiring a catastrophic injury attorney is that you will need to pay attorneys’ fees. Most personal injury firms (like Strong Law, P.C.) will not collect any fees until after they win compensation for their clients.
Hiring an inexperienced, careless attorney can also work against you. Some may consider having to find a suitable attorney as a con. It is important to note that the work of finding an attorney is nothing compared to the work of being your own legal advocate, however.
Can I Handle a Catastrophic Injury Case by Myself?
You can represent yourself in your catastrophic injury case, but there is a reason why attorneys need to attend law school to do their job effectively. The legal process is highly complicated; it is very easy for the average person to make a small mistake that costs them their case.
For example, many accident victims who represent themselves accidentally:
- Overlook key facts in their case
- Accept lowball settlement offers
- Ask for less compensation than what is owed to them
- Fall prey to common tactics used by insurance defense lawyers
Remember, insurance companies often have highly skilled, elite insurance defense lawyers. These professionals have gone through years of training and higher education to get to where they are today. What’s more, the stakes tend to be very high in cases concerning catastrophic injury, which means the at-fault party will likely try everything within their power to avoid liability. It is possible to represent yourself, but it is much wiser to have a professional attorney on your side.
How Much Does a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Charge?
Legal fees are based on the attorney’s expertise and the complexity of the case.
Many catastrophic injury attorneys, such as ours at Strong Law, P.C., work on a contingency fee basis. This simply means you won’t be billed a dime in the rare event that we don’t win your case. We are happy to front the cost of all our legal services. If we do win your case, our attorneys’ fees will then be portioned out of your settlement or verdict. This ensures that you do not need to dip into your bank account to get the high-quality representation you deserve.
When Should I Contact a Catastrophic Injury Attorney?
It is best to contact an attorney as soon after the accident as possible. Even if you are not sure whether you want to file a formal lawsuit, an attorney can provide you with an initial valuation of your case. That way, you can know what your case is worth when filing an insurance claim.
An attorney may negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. Insurance companies usually want to avoid being sued, so adjusters are more likely to offer a fair settlement to claimants who have skilled legal representation.
What Makes Strong Law, P.C. the Right Choice?
Strong Law, P.C. is a true trial law firm. We utilize cutting-edge technology and innovative, trusted legal strategies to get our clients the best results possible. Further, every client is provided with their own legal team, which includes at least two seasoned attorneys, a paralegal, a nurse paralegal, and other necessary support staff.
At our firm, we are truly passionate about helping our clients. In the past 11 years, we have resolved over 130 separate million-dollar (or more) claims and cases throughout Missouri.
Call (417) 887-4300 to get a free, confidential consultation. Our Springfield attorneys can also be reached online.
Tell Us About Your Case
Contact us today at (417) 887-4300 or online to arrange your free case evaluation. Our Experienced Trial Attorneys will walk you through your legal options.