For accident victims, it is a big decision to hire an accident attorney - but it can be a good decision. Here are 5 of the most common fears about hiring an attorney, and the truth behind the myth.
1. Insurance companies will treat me fairly.
This isn't strictly a myth - it is just often untrue. Remember that insurance companies make money by getting you to settle for the lowest amounts possible. We cannot guarantee we will get our clients more money, but the Insurance Research Council has done studies that indicate people who hire attorneys get 3.5 times more money than those who attempt to settle their own cases - which implies that insurance companies are not offering enough in the first place.
2. I will have to go to court.
This is a complete myth. Most cases settle out of court entirely. In fact, many cases settle during the negotiation phase, and if they don't, you can still try mediation or arbitration before going to trial. And, if you really do not want to go to trial, you can discuss this with your attorney when he takes your case.
3. It takes forever to get compensation.
Some cases can be extremely complicated and hard to settle, but many cases with clear liability can settle in a reasonable amount of time. And if you hire an experienced personal injury attorney, he will know how to keep your case moving after you have received all the necessary medical treatment. On average, Portland injury cases take about 6 months to 2 years, which is not forever - especially to get the compensation you deserve.
4. Personal injury compensation is easy money.
If you have ever been seriously injured, you will understand that this is not true. The settlement amount is very much based on the extent of your injuries and damages, which means the worse your injury the more money you will get - but the more pain you will have experienced. These lawsuits are only meant to compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, ongoing treatment, pain, etc.
5. The legal system is meant to protect my interests from the insurance company.
Well, I wish this were always true but it's not. It is not necessarily true that the law favors businesses, but that large insurance companies can afford to hire experienced attorneys to fight your claim, and your lack of legal knowledge could be an issue. Hiring an attorney for yourself can help protect your rights.
