Did you suffer a personal injury due to someone else’s misconduct? If so, you might qualify for significant compensation. “Compensation” doesn’t just mean reimbursement for your medical bills—it could mean much more than that. 

Personal injury lawyers handle cases ranging from car accidents to dog bites, among many other matters. 

First Things First: Can You Afford to Hire a New York Personal Injury Lawyer? 

Under the contingency fee system that almost all personal injury lawyers use, it’s the strength of your claim that matters, not the thickness of your wallet. That’s because a successful personal injury claim generates money that you can use to pay your lawyer later.

This is how the contingency fee system works: 

  • You pay nothing upfront.
  • If you win, either in court or at the settlement table, your legal fees amount to a certain percentage of the compensation you won (typically 30% to 40%).
  • If you lose–in other words, if your compensation amounts to zero–your legal fees will amount to zero.

In most cases, a lawyer will pay your case expenses (such as investigation expenses or expert witness fees) in advance. In that case, your lawyer would eventually deduct your case expenses from your total compensation. 

If you do run into a personal injury lawyer who tries to charge you legal fees by the billable hour, find another attorney. If no lawyer will offer you a contingency fee arrangement, your claim is probably not worth pursuing.

Reasons Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in New York

You can probably resolve a simple, low-value personal injury case on your own. On the other hand, you might need a lawyer to help you press a more substantial claim.

Reason #1: They Can Estimate the True Value of Your Claim

With the right information, a lawyer can estimate the true value of your case. You cannot demand appropriate compensation until you know how much to demand. 

Reason #2: An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer is Probably a Skilled Negotiator

The opposing party will probably be an insurance adjuster, and they are typically skilled negotiators. That’s okay because personal injury attorneys are usually also skilled negotiators. Let your lawyer negotiate on your behalf to even the playing field.

Reason #3: They Can Give You Critical Advice at Just the Right Moment

There are many mistakes you might make that your lawyer can warn you against. Don’t agree to a recorded statement with the insurance company, for example, and suspend your use of social media while your claim is pending. There are dozens more bits of useful advice that a lawyer can provide you. 

Reason #4: Insurance Companies Are Far More Cautious About Using Unfair Tactics on an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

A skilled personal injury lawyer has seen it all before. Insurance companies know this, and they are likely to be familiar with your lawyer’s reputation. Because of this, there are some tricks they might try on you but they wouldn’t dare try on your lawyer.

Reason #5: A Lawyer Can Justify Your Claim for Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. They are inherently difficult to put a number on. A personal injury lawyer can effectively argue for a higher figure.

Reason #6: A Lawyer Can Gain Access to the Pretrial Discovery Evidence-Gathering Process

If you have to file a lawsuit, you will gain access to the powerful pretrial discovery process. Your lawyer can help you gather valuable evidence that you might not think of on your own. For example, in the event of a truck accident, you might not think to demand the contents of the truck’s event data recorder (like a plane’s black box). 

Reason #7: A Lawyer Can Take Your Case to Trial If Necessary

The best way to avoid a trial is to prepare to win there. If the opposing party fears that your lawyer can beat them, they face a choice. If they don’t want to lose at trial, they will need to settle the case for a reasonable sum.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a New York Personal Injury Attorney to Explore Your Options

Most New York City personal injury lawyers offer a free case consultation because that is how they identify potential clients. Your consultation might be in the law office, over the phone, or even in the hospital if need be. The lawyer will ask you questions and help you explore legal options such as settlement and trial. The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the better.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers.

Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007