
Whether it’s a car accident, a slip and fall, or another type of serious injury, a personal injury can be a life-changing incident. Yet, many people hesitate to file a claim or hire an attorney to represent them, either because they think the process will take too long or because they believe they won’t receive anything in return.
The truth, however, is that hiring a personal injury attorney can be the difference between a successful claim and getting shorted by the insurance company.
As principal at Burnett & Williams, a leading personal injury law firm based in the Richmond, Virginia area, C. James Williams III has seen firsthand how crucial it is to secure skilled personal injury representation to obtain the compensation an injury victim deserves in their settlement or lawsuit.
The role that a personal injury attorney plays in a claim
One of the most crucial roles personal injury attorneys play is leveling the playing field for their clients. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are multimillion-dollar corporations with a near-limitless amount of resources at their disposal. While time and money are factors that may be important to victims, they are far less concerning to the other side. Often, the insurance companies are willing to wait it out and burn through resources, hoping it will drive a wedge between the client and lawyer, causing victims to give up on their claims.
Working with a personal injury attorney also gives victims access to resources that could help make their claim stronger than if they were to go at it alone. Attorneys have experience with investigations and legal strategy that allows them to formulate a strong argument asserting the damages faced by the victim and the liability of the defendant. They also often have extensive connections with experts, such as doctors, engineers, forensic experts, and more, who can be leveraged as witnesses in depositions or lawsuits.
However, some people choose not to enlist the help of a personal injury attorney to pursue a claim, buying into the myth that pursuing a lawsuit would be “frivolous.” If those have been the victim of an injury they believe was caused by the negligence of another party, most personal injury attorneys offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations.
“The courts have built-in systems that are in place to dismiss meritless suits early, and an experienced attorney will know which cases will — and won’t — be dismissed,” explains Williams. “Don’t think you shouldn’t pursue your case just because you think it’s not worth it. Always first consult an experienced personal injury lawyer.”
Indeed, the types of injuries seen in personal injury claims present real costs, real harm, and real legal questions to victims. Medical bills add up quickly, even if you have medical insurance, because of the copays and deductibles, as does the cost of missing work due to the injury and seeking medical treatment.
In some cases, victims might face extensive pain and suffering that will interfere not only with their ability to enjoy life but also to earn an income over time. If a victim suspects that someone else’s negligence has contributed to their injury, they should not have to suffer these damages out of pocket.
How personal injury attorneys fight for the best possible results for their clients
The goal of any personal injury attorney is to achieve the best possible outcomes for their clients. While some attorneys may favor scorched-earth tactics, Burnett & Williams prioritizes a culture of collaboration over conflict, believing that a conflict-driven approach can cause more harm than good.
“Hostility will only cause unnecessary delays and prevent fair resolutions from being reached,” asserts Williams. “We focus on strategic, ethical, and client-centered advocacy, which allows us to solve many of our cases through negotiation, mediation, or settlement, rather than costly courtroom battles.”
That’s not to say that the team at Burnett & Williams isn’t willing to go to bat for their clients in the courtroom. Just a few months ago, they obtained a $4,350,000 verdict for a client that included prejudgment interest — a rarity in Virginia Courts.
Burnett & Williams have a strong track record of success in the courtroom as well as out of it, but they always keep their eye on the prize: achieving the best possible outcome through whatever means necessary. They are staunchly committed to transparency at every step of the process, keeping clients informed of developments in their case and keeping them involved in key parts of the decision-making process.
“We believe that due process and justice are the common ground between us, as plaintiffs’ attorneys, and the insurance companies,” Williams concludes. “Good lawyers — on both sides — understand that the system only works when everyone is informed and plays by the rules, but that only happens when injured victims have competent representation on their side. Hiring an attorney helps create fairer outcomes and reinforces public trust in the legal system. It’s not a level playing field between the claimant who may have one injury case in their lifetime and the insurance adjuster who takes advantage of claimants on a daily basis with their superior knowledge of the law and the system.”
If you have been injured and believe it is due to someone else’s negligence, consult an experienced personal injury attorney like those at Burnett & Williams today.