Hiring a personal injury attorney can be a confusing, intimidating process. Not only are there so many options to choose from, but those options also use buzzy marketing language that seems to offer a value proposition, yet doesn’t really say why you should hire them over anyone else.
So what really makes a personal injury lawyer stand out? When you hire a former insurance defense attorney to handle your case, you will be able to see the difference between a good personal injury lawyer and a bad one.
How a former insurance defense attorney is uniquely prepared to be your personal injury lawyer
The main reason you would want to hire a former insurance defense attorney to represent you as your personal injury lawyer is that they know and understand the insurance companies’ tactics. It is crucial to remember that the insurance companies are not on your side. They don’t make money by paying out claims to the full coverage limits; they boost their bottom line by paying as little as possible to victims. To do this, they use several strategies to pressure accident victims.
If you have been involved in a Virginia accident and are looking for a former insurance defense attorney, look no further than C. James Williams III, Principal at Richmond-based law firm Burnett & Williams. Because of Williams’s decades of experience as an insurance attorney, including a stretch as a trial litigator for Progressive, he has a keen understanding of the tactics insurance companies will use to pay their insureds less.
Tactics insurance companies will use to pay you less than you deserve and how former defense attorneys beat them
One of the main tactics insurance companies will use to get accident victims to accept less than what they deserve is making lowball offers. It is important for victims to remember that the first offer made by an insurance adjuster is rarely (if ever) the final offer. Insurance companies expect some level of negotiation, but if a victim tries to deal with the insurer directly without legal representation, they may fall for this tactic and not receive the compensation they deserve.
Additionally, insurance companies know that time is a resource, and that resource works in their favor. Insurance adjusters know that many accident victims are desperate after racking up medical expenses and lost wages, and they hope that in this desperation, victims will be willing to let go of their rights and accept a lowball offer. Because of this, they will try everything in their power to unnecessarily prolong the accident claims process and put additional pressure on victims.
One of the biggest things that an attorney who used to work for the insurance companies brings to the table is connections. Because insurance companies are large, multi-million-dollar organizations, they have resources and connections with potential expert witnesses, such as medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and more. If a personal injury attorney has worked with these people before, they may be able to leverage this connection to use them as an expert witness in your case.
Another major advantage of working with a personal injury attorney with an insurance background is that they can add weight and credibility to the negotiation process. It’s one reason why Williams and every attorney on his team also have experience as former defense attorneys for insurance companies.
“Since insurance companies know your lawyer has experience on both sides of these cases, they also know that your lawyer understands how to win cases for their clients,” explains Williams. “This might make insurance adjusters more willing to offer you a fair settlement out of fear that they will lose more if your personal injury case goes to trial.”
That being said, there are some instances in which your lawyer and the insurance company cannot reach an agreement in mediation on how much your personal injury claim is worth. When this happens, your case goes to court to be heard by a judge and/or jury, and in litigation, it is especially vital to have an experienced attorney on your side. Just as insurance carriers have specific tactics when it comes to the negotiation process, they also have specific tactics in the courtroom, and you want to hire someone with the knowledge and skill to effectively navigate these challenges, liability, and the law.
Working With Burnett & Williams on a Personal Injury Case
“If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, truck accident, slip and fall, or other accident that has led to serious injury, contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will review your case and determine whether our team of expert lawyers is the right fit to help fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve for the damages you have suffered due to someone else’s negligence.”
Disclaimer: The content in this article is provided for general knowledge. It does not constitute legal advice, and readers should seek advice from qualified legal professionals regarding particular cases or situations.
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