Do You Really Get More With an Injury Lawyer? What the Numbers Say

Insurance adjusters are friendly, and the first offer usually comes fast. The question worth asking is what you'd be giving up by taking it without advice.

What injured people report

Martindale-Nolo Research surveyed readers who had personal injury claims. Among those who hired a lawyer, 91 percent received a payout, compared with 51 percent of those who handled the claim themselves. The average payout was $77,600 with a lawyer and $17,600 without. After the average 32 percent fee those readers paid, the represented group still netted nearly three times as much.

That comes with an honest caveat, which the researchers noted themselves: people with small or difficult claims have a harder time finding a lawyer, so some of the gap reflects which cases lawyers take. The pattern still holds up in my experience, for reasons that aren't mysterious.

Where the difference comes from

• The full cost of the injury. An adjuster's number usually covers bills already paid. A claim should also account for future treatment, lost earning ability, and what the injury took from your life.

• Every source of coverage. The at-fault driver's policy may not be the only one, and your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can matter a great deal.

• Liens and reimbursement. Health insurers and hospitals often have a right to be repaid from your settlement, and handling that badly can eat your recovery.

• What you say early. A recorded statement given a week after the wreck can be used to shrink the claim.

• A believable willingness to file suit. Insurers price claims by what a jury is likely to do. When they know the lawyer will try the case, the numbers change.

Deadlines

Most Oklahoma injury claims must be filed within two years. Claims for assault or battery have only one year. If a government vehicle or employee was involved, written notice generally has to be given within one year of the loss, or the claim is forever barred.

I handle injury cases on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Call (918) 221-6190 or use the consultation form for a free consultation.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.