If you're a long distance runner, or cyclist, a broken leg will affect the lifestyle you love. If you're a violinist, a concussion might make the pull of the bow and the sound of the string unbearable. If you are a construction worker, you might have to take some time off work. The longer your injury affects your lifestyle, the greater your loss. Even after the lawyer is paid, you will recover more with a lawyer than you would without.
Insurance adjusters are in the business of limiting risk.
If you sign a release and accept a settlement right after an accident, they close your file quickly, and they win. Most adjusters in Oregon will offer a settlement to you immediately after an accident. That's a price any adjuster would be happy to pay to limit exposure on an injury claim. You may have two years before you have to settle, and you may have one year of PIP benefits available under your policy. Know what you are doing, before you do it.