There’s one thing that can differentiate a weak car crash injury claim from a strong one.
It’s not how bad the crash was.
It’s not which insurance company is involved.
The difference between a lot of money and a little money comes down to this…
The legal team you choose to represent you.
Every year thousands of accident victims settle their claims for a small fraction of what they’re actually worth. They go up against huge insurance companies without any backup and get crushed. But here’s the worst part…
They don’t even know that there was more money to be had.
Until it’s too late.
Your game plan:
- Why You Want a Specialized Lawyer Fighting for You
- How Your Lawyer Affects Your Claim Value
- How Car Accident Law Is Unique
- How to Choose the Right Attorney for Your Case
Why You Want a Specialized Lawyer Fighting for You
While there are many skilled attorneys out there, not every lawyer has the same skill set. You can find a family lawyer or a general practice attorney that knows a thing or two about personal injury law. But when it comes to properly handling a car crash injury claim, general knowledge just doesn’t cut it.
Here’s why…
Dealing with car accident claims requires extensive knowledge of insurance law. That includes understanding how to handle insurance companies, how injuries are valued, how to properly document every detail and many other things. A specialized car accident law firm handles claims like yours every day. They know the tactics insurance companies will use to avoid paying out for car crash injury claims. They also know how to hold those companies accountable.
Think about going to the doctor for a heart issue. You wouldn’t dream of seeing your general doctor for heart surgery. It’s the same thing with legal specialization. Specializing in car accident injury claims means the lawyers you hire know everything there is to know about your type of case.
And that knowledge makes all the difference.
How Your Lawyer Affects Your Claim Value
Insurance Research Council studies have repeatedly shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury attorney end up with 3.5 times larger settlements than those who represent themselves. They may pay attorney fees, but they still end up with more money.
That’s just the beginning.
Here are several ways a specialized auto accident lawyer can affect your car crash injury claim:
- Collecting evidence. Experienced injury lawyers know what evidence to collect. More importantly, they know how to preserve that evidence before it’s too late. Police reports, medical records, witness info and accident reconstruction evidence are just a few examples.
- Gathering medical evidence. Did you know that certain injuries have long-term costs attached to them? Specialized attorneys understand this. They work closely with medical professionals to ensure that every injury is accounted for and properly valued.
- Negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters are good at their jobs. Their job is to offer you as little money as possible. An experienced lawyer can even the playing field. When an attorney fights back, insurance companies are forced to take you seriously.
- Going to trial if necessary. Most personal injury lawyers will scare you about going to trial. They know that most general practice lawyers have little to no trial experience. You want a lawyer who isn’t afraid to take your case to trial. If they don’t threaten it, insurance companies will lowball you.
There is a huge difference between working with a specialized attorney and going it alone. Don’t be afraid to ask your potential lawyer about their experience level with car crash injury claims.
What Makes Car Accident Law Unique
Many people think that all personal injury claims are treated the same. If you have been involved in an auto accident, think again.
Motor vehicle accidents are uniquely complicated.
According to the NHTSA, 39,345 people were killed in traffic crashes during 2024. While hopefully your accident doesn’t include a fatality, take a moment to understand the numbers involved. Each of those fatal crashes corresponds with dozens, if not hundreds of nonfatal accidents. When you’re involved in an accident, you become part of these statistics.
So what makes car crash injury claims different from your run-of-the-mill personal injury case? A few things…
- There are multiple insurance policies involved. There’s the at-fault driver’s policy to consider. Maybe their uninsured/underinsured motorist policy. There’s also your own insurance to look at. Medical payments coverage, liability coverage and more.
- Comparative fault rules. Let’s say you were partially at fault for causing the accident. Most states will reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault. A specialized attorney knows how to limit any faults that your insurance company may try to assign you.
- Injuries can develop over time. Some injuries caused by a vehicle collision may not appear for weeks, or even months. General personal injury lawyers might not know this, and advise their clients to settle early.
- Liability can lie with more than one party. Just because driver A ran a red light doesn’t mean they are the only party at fault. The car manufacturer, road maintenance crew, or driver A’s employer could all be responsible. Finding all possible sources of liability takes time and experience.
Any one of these issues can drastically complicate what would otherwise be a “straight forward” personal injury claim.
Choose wisely.
How to Choose the Right Attorney for Your Case
So you understand the importance of legal specialization. But how do you find the right attorney to take on your car crash injury claim? It’s easier than you think. But here are some things you should consider:
Look for an attorney or firm that specializes in auto accidents. Period. You want a lawyer whose practice is handling claims like yours day in and day out. A lawyer who juggles car accident injury claims with family law cases and criminal trials won’t provide you with the skill set you need.
Research their past settlements and trial verdicts. You can learn a lot about a firm by looking at their past cases. Nothing speaks louder than past client testimonials and news articles covering their big wins.
Check their former client reviews. Yep, you read that right. Many law firms will provide contact information for their past clients. There are several client reviews available right now that show exactly what to expect. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and give them a call.
Inquire about their available resources. Specialized firms have tools and professionals at their disposal that general practices do not. Everything from accident reconstructionists to economic analysts can help build your case.
Oh, and one more thing…
Most injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means there’s no up-front fee. If they don’t win your case, they don’t get paid.
That means you have nothing to lose by hiring a specialized attorney.
The Bottom Line
Legal specialization is the most important factor in whether you will walk away from your auto accident claim with fair compensation or with the insurance company taking advantage of you.
A specialized legal team will have:
- Better knowledge of auto accident injury claims and insurance laws
- More experience negotiating with insurance companies
- Deeper understanding of how to document your injuries for maximum compensation
- Trial experience that can make an insurance company think twice before trying to lowball you
The facts prove it. Accident victims who hire specialized legal help walk away with more money than those who represent themselves.
If you or a loved one was involved in a car crash and suffered an injury, call a specialized attorney as soon as possible. The right lawyer can alleviate your stress while maximizing the value of your claim.