Should I hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Ontario or deal directly with the insurance company?
Many people are concerned about lawsuits and are especially fearful about having to testify in a court of law. As a result, injured parties often settle their claim directly with the insurance company before consulting with an experienced injury lawyer.
Is it necessary to consult a personal injury lawyer if you have been in an accident?
As a victim of an accident, there are two things you should immediately be aware of:
1. 95% of all lawsuits settle before they go to trial; therefore, the chances of you having to testify in court are extremely low.
2. When a person negotiates directly with an insurance company, he or she needs to understand that insurance companies have hundreds of years of experience managing and settling losses and as private companies, they are always working for the benefit of its shareholders.
Ontario personal injury lawyers are trained to negotiate fair and reasonable settlements with these insurance companies and are prepared to take them to court if necessary.
While the reality is that very few cases actually go to court, the start of a lawsuit is often necessary to maximize the settlement value needed to reimburse your losses suffered as a result of an accident.
The complexities of personal injury law in Ontario make it very dififcult for the average person to understand what needs be considered before any claim should be settled. It is critical to remember that the maximum settlement value you can achieve is not determined by a simple formula based on your injuries alone.
Insurance adjusters themselves often recommend to the injured party that he/she seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer to fully comprehend all of their options and to help find a suitable solution for their particular case.
This step allows for all of the options to be explored instead of defaulting to a quick settlement with an insurance company.
Ultimately, it is your decision and your decision only, but having all the facts and understanding the full potential of your claim can only improve your chances of achieving a fair settlement value.
To learn more about Ontario personal injury law, we invite you to watch our video series that helps answer many of the most common questions asked to Ontario injury lawyers.