Some injury victims are tempted to personally negotiate their legal claim for financial compensation with the at-fault party’s insurance company only to later realize they have made a grave mistake after receiving a lowball settlement or no recovery at all. An insurance adjuster will salivate at the prospect of taking on a self-represented party because this is akin to a little league baseball player trying to face a major league pitcher. Our experienced Oklahoma Personal Injury Attorneys at Carr & Carr, Attorneys at Law, have provided an overview of ways that a skilled and experienced lawyer can add value to your case.
Determining the Value of Your Claim
A fundamental aspect of negotiating a settlement or pursuing a verdict at trial for an injury claim involves properly estimating the value of a case. This complex process involves many factors which impact the value of a claim, such as:
- severity of injury
- nature of permanent disability
- medical bills
- lost wages
- diminished earning capacity
- strength of evidence of fault
- comparative fault of the injury victim
- availability of insurance
- policy limits
- egregious nature of the conduct
- amount of property damage
- and a multitude of other factors.
Personal injury lawyers have experience evaluating cases based on weighing the factors that impact damages because of the large number of cases they have handled. Carr & Carr’s attorneys consider similarities and differences from our past cases, as well as facts from the current case. We also research verdicts and settlements involving similar accidents and injuries from comparable cases in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Navigating Complex Legal Standards
For the inexperienced, the civil litigation process is a minefield that is extremely difficult to navigate. Whether the hurdle involves the special notice requirements required to sue a public entity or complying with the statute of limitations to avoid being barred from filing an Oklahoma City car accident lawsuit, the failure to navigate these procedures can have a devastating impact. A personal injury lawyer understands the legal standards that apply to a particular negligence claim, such as the standard of ordinary care for a motorist in a car accident or the higher standard applicable to a physician in a medical malpractice case. A layperson has virtually no hope of successfully working within the many technical rules that are second nature for a lawyer with extensive law school training and practice experience.
Litigation Resources
The cost to pursue a personal injury claim easily can be tens of thousands of dollars or more. Effective litigation of a tractor-trailer, medical malpractice, defective product, or other complex case involves a broad range of expenses that can include:
- filing fees
- expert witness fees
- video production costs
- exhibit preparation cost
- court reporter fees
- postage
- copying costs
- and many other expenses.
Even if an injury victim can afford the cost of litigation, personal injury law firms like Carr & Carr frequently advance most or all lawsuit-related expenses.
Shifting Risk of Loss
When a personal injury lawyer decides to represent you, the law firm generally assumes the financial risk of a defense verdict at trial. Because law firms usually handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, the attorneys do not collect attorney fees unless and until they obtain a settlement or judgment. This means the law firm risks not being compensated for the time and effort invested in pursuing the case. Further, your personal injury lawyer often absorbs the expenses advanced, so the entire financial risk of pursuing a legal claim in this type of lawsuit falls on the law firm.
Access to Network of Experts
Law firms that routinely represent victims of a motorcycle crash, slip and fall, rollover accident, or other type of incident causing injury will routinely work with individuals with specialized knowledge. A compelling claim frequently requires several experts in diverse areas like accident reconstruction, engineering, medical disciplines, vocational training, mental health, and more. A layperson faces an enormous challenge in locating, evaluating, and affording experts when unrepresented.
If you have suffered injury because of the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of an individual, corporation, or public entity, our personal injury lawyers at Carr & Carr are fierce advocates for injury victims. Our law firm is committed to holding individuals and entities accountable for unsafe acts and intentional misconduct that harms others. Our law firm has offices located in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Northwest Arkansas in Springdale, so call us today at 866-510-0580 to schedule your free consultation.
