How Often Do Personal Injury Lawyers Win?

If you’ve been involved in an accident that has left you injured and are thinking about suing to get compensation, there are a few things you should know. Winning a personal injury case in court can be complicated and difficult, and not always the right decision. In fact, only about 5% of personal injury cases go to trial, and of those cases, about 90% of them end up losing.

These numbers may shock you, and if you are thinking about suing, it may make you have second thoughts. The reason so many personal injury suits result in a pre-trial settlement is because a trial can drag on for several years. If you’ve been injured and cannot work, you may have a tough time paying all the bills that can rack up due to an injury that wasn’t your fault.

What Is a Personal Injury Case?

When you are involved in an accident, you may feel pain and confusion, and even be seriously injured. Just because the injury was an accident, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve compensation. If there is a legal dispute about how much compensation is needed, you may become involved in a personal injury case.

Why Do Most Injury Cases Settle?

One of the main reasons for delays, even if you decide to go to court, is resources. In criminal cases, many detectives work the case; in a personal injury accident, often just one works the case. Your injuries, the accident, witness statements, and the details of the accident all need to be investigated. This can take up to six months or longer. As your debt mounts and the case drags on, it may be more desirable to settle than wait for a trial.

Common Myths About Personal Injury Cases

There is a lot of misinformation out there about personal injury cases. Let’s take a quick look at a few of the most common ones.

I Don’t Need a Personal Injury Lawyer If I Have Insurance

This is false.

Your insurance company may disagree with how much compensation you deserve. A lawyer can often negotiate a better settlement to ensure that all your medical bills and lost wages, and even future bills and lost wages, are covered. An insurance company’s primary goal is to make a profit, and sometimes they will make a low offer and try to get you to settle quickly. Don’t say yes to an offer without talking to your attorney.

A Personal Injury Case Can Be Filed Anytime

This is also false.

In Florida, most personal injury cases have a statute of limitations of four years. This means you need to have a personal injury attorney in Pompano Beach. A personal injury lawyer will know all the deadlines and make sure your case is submitted to the right court in plenty of time.

If You Go to Court, You Will Be Compensated for All Your Losses

Although most personal injury cases result in some form of compensation, there is no guarantee that you will be compensated, and that the compensation you receive will cover everything. Many people think that these cases result in easy money, but because each case is different and each judge is different, the amount awarded in each case is also different.

You Have Only One Chance to Be Compensated for Your Claim

This is true.

After your claim has been heard and a decision has been made, the result is final. This goes for settlements and court-awarded compensation.

Holding Out Will Get You a Better Settlement

Contacting a personal injury attorney as soon as you are injured will increase your chances of reaching an adequate settlement. Holding out will not necessarily get you a better settlement. Your attorney will advise on your chances of getting a better settlement.

Many people assume their settlement will take care of them for the rest of their life. This may be true in some cases, but it is not a realistic expectation in most cases. The goal of a personal injury case is to present a legitimate claim for your injuries and get you the compensation you deserve.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Keep in mind that your insurance company certainly has lawyers representing their interests, so you should also have someone who knows the legal system to speak for you.

A personal injury lawyer not only understands the legal process but is also very familiar with insurance company tactics. They will know when the insurance company is trying to delay and discourage you. They also know how to accurately calculate the pain and suffering, assess the effects of long term injuries, and when you should go to trial or agree to a settlement. They have your interests in mind, with the goal of ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.