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Will I Get More Money with a Personal Injury Lawyer?

On behalf of Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer

December 26, 2024

Will I Get More Money with a Personal Injury Lawyer?

When you're injured in an accident, one of the most pressing concerns is often whether hiring a personal injury lawyer will help you secure a higher settlement. The numbers speak for themselves: accident victims who hire attorneys receive on average 3.5 times more compensation than those who handle claims on their own, according to the Insurance Research Council. While legal representation does come with a cost, research shows that working with a personal injury lawyer can significantly increase the compensation you recover. Let's explore the statistics and benefits, including specific insights for Missouri residents.

Statistics in Missouri

Workers Compensation
 Injured workers who were represented by a workers' comp lawyer tended to receive more in compensation than those who were not. Nearly a third of workers (32%) did not hire a lawyer to represent them in their workers’ compensation cases. On average, these workers received $18,000 in compensation.
A majority of the injured workers we surveyed (68%), on the other hand, were represented by a lawyer. The average compensation received by these workers was $23,500. In other words, workers with lawyers received nearly one-third more in benefits than workers without lawyers.

Car Accident
An internal study conducted by Lawyers.com supports the findings of the Insurance Research Council. The study revealed that 91 percent of participants who had a lawyer received a payout, compared to 51 percent who did not. Furthermore, even after accounting for the attorney’s contingency fee, claimants with legal representation still walked away with approximately three times more compensation than those without a lawyer. Lawyers.com updated the study in 2023, noting that the average compensation is $52,900, with personal injury settlements and verdicts typically between $3,000-$75,000.


The Impact of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Data demonstrates that victims who hire personal injury lawyers recover more compensation than those who handle claims on their own.
  • According to a study by the Insurance Research Council, individuals who hire an attorney receive settlements 3.5 times higher than those who don't.
  • Cases involving unrepresented litigants may take longer and be more complex to resolve, potentially affecting the outcome.

Why a Lawyer Makes a Difference
Here are the key ways a personal injury lawyer increases your compensation:
  1. Experience Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. Lawyers understand the tactics insurers use and can effectively counter lowball offers.

  2. Accurate Valuation of Claims: A lawyer evaluates not only your immediate medical expenses but also future costs, lost wages, emotional suffering, and other damages.

  3. Litigation as a Leverage Tool: If the insurer refuses to settle fairly, lawyers can file a lawsuit and take the case to court. The mere possibility of litigation often prompts insurers to offer higher settlements.

  4. Reduction of Comparative Fault Impact: In states like Missouri, reducing your assigned fault percentage can make a substantial difference in your compensation. Lawyers have the experience to challenge evidence that could unfairly attribute fault to you.

Examples of Settlement Differences
Here’s a general example of how settlements differ with and without legal representation:

Without legal representation:
  • According to Martindale-Nolo Research, the average personal injury settlement is $52,900, with a range of $3,000 to $75,000.


With legal representation:
  • Individuals with a personal injury lawyer receive 340% more than those who argue their case on their own.
  • Survey respondents showed that when working with a knowledgeable and skilled attorney, a settlement is reached 91% of the time, compared to only 51% who received compensation without a lawyer.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. The typical fee is 33%-40% of the settlement. While this may sound significant, the overall increase in compensation often justifies the cost.
For example:

  • Self-Settled Case: $20,000 (no fees).
  • Lawyer-Negotiated Case: $80,000 ($53,600 after a 33% fee).

    Even after fees, the net amount for the claimant is over 2.5 times higher.

Conclusion
Hiring a personal injury lawyer almost always results in a larger settlement or court award. In Missouri, where comparative fault rules and uncapped non-economic damages come into play, having a skilled lawyer can make an even greater difference. If you’ve been injured and are considering your options, consulting with Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeye law firm is a smart step toward maximizing your recovery.



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