When you think about hiring a lawyer and filing a personal injury claim, you probably imagine a courtroom with a judge and a jury. However, the vast majority of personal injury cases never see the inside of a courtroom. They settle rather than going to trial.
Settling means reaching a settlement agreement with an insurance company. You will receive the offered amount of money in exchange for signing over the right to hold the defendant further liable for your accident. Since an insurance company has the most to lose from a trial, most insurers strive to resolve cases at the settlement stage.
An attorney can improve your chances of achieving a settlement. Your attorney will use proven strategies for negotiating with the insurance claims adjuster during your claim. If the insurance company refuses to offer enough compensation to adequately cover your financial losses, your lawyer can help you take your case to trial instead.