Today, we met with a potential client involved in a car wreck several years ago. Her son was in the car with her. They both suffered serious injuries. The accident occurred locally, but they did not call us or another local personal injury attorney. Instead, they were led down the path of “calling without thinking about it.” Their cases have settled, three years later, and the TV lawyer has taken the agreed-upon 40% contingency fee. However, the TV lawyer is not helping them reduce their medical bills and liens. Additional work must be accomplished to protect their Medicare and Medicaid benefits, but the TV lawyer is unwilling to do so. Evidently, the TV lawyer was for his people and not the clients.

Why You Should Hire a Local Personal Injury Attorney—Not a TV Lawyer—for Your Personal Injury Claim

We just wrote about this topic recently, but it is necessary and worth repeating. When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who to trust with your legal representation. TV is filled with commercials from large, high-volume law firms claiming to be “for the people.” Ask yourself which “people” these lawyers are “for”. Commercials, NASCAR sponsorships, and other advertising media cost big bucks. These TV lawyers promise quick settlements and aggressive representation. But before you dial the number on the screen, you should know this: hiring a local personal injury attorney is almost always the more intelligent, practical choice—especially when your future, and that of your family, is on the line.

Local Knowledge Matters

Personal injury claims are rarely straightforward. Personal injury cases are not as easy as they appear in 30-second commercials. State statutes, local court procedures, and the customs and expectations of local judges and juries govern them. A local personal injury attorney is embedded in your legal community. We know the tendencies of area judges, the reputations of witnesses, and the nuances of how local juries respond to different arguments. A TV lawyer from out of state—or worse, an associate you’ve never met working in a warehouse-style legal operation—does not.

Your Personal, Personal Injury Attorney vs. Assembly-Line Law

Local attorneys normally maintain smaller caseloads than TV lawyers. We take the time to actually know your case, your injuries, and your goals. We’ll return your calls or meet with you and look you in the eye. You meet the attorney and staff who will be handling your case—not just a “case manager” or call center employee. The big TV lawyers often operate like settlement mills. You’re a file number, not a client. That’s no way to handle something as serious as your life-altering injury.

You Need an Advocate—Not a Marketer

TV lawyers are in the business of marketing. Their commercials are slick, emotional, and designed to get you to pick up the phone—but what happens after that call? Often, your case is handed off to an associate in a cubicle, a contract lawyer, or even referred out to a firm you’ve never heard of. A 2010 law review article written by Stanford Law Professor Nora Freeman Engstrom, explains that the TV lawyers make money relying on high volume of cases, settled quickly and cheaply just to move cases off their books. They rely on volume, not best outcomes. Professor Engstrom, concludes that TV lawyers often

“settle cases quickly. Although speed has important salutary benefits, fast settlements likely depress the value of claims, since it is fairly well understood ‘that the longer the client holds out, the larger the settlement he will be able to bargain out of the insurer.’ Second, [TV lawyers] rarely file lawsuits, and the act of not filing is correlated with lower settlements. Third, [TV lawyers] commonly impose quotas or incentives on negotiators, which put the emphasis on turning claims over, rather than maximizing their value. And finally, attorney reputation for going to trial affects bargaining. Because [TV lawyers] have a reputation for avoiding trial, they have less leverage in their dealings with insurers and are less likely to obtain top-dollar.”

Plainly stated,  TV lawyers often settle the client’s case for far less than if the client had retained a skilled, local personal injury attorney who provides more individualized service. The choice of a lawyer should not be “one call and that’s all.”

A local attorney relies on reputation. Our livelihood depends on results, referrals, and word-of-mouth in our community. We fight for the full value of your claim—not just the quickest check.

Accountability You Can See

When your lawyer is part of your community, they’re accountable to more than just a bottom line. You may see them in court, at church, or at the grocery store. That kind of visibility breeds integrity. A local attorney has a reputation to maintain—not a brand to protect.

Choose Substance Over Sizzle

In the end, your personal injury claim is not a reality show or a marketing stunt—it’s your life. Your financial future, your medical recovery, and your peace of mind are at stake. If you’ve been hurt, we’re here to help. We know the law and our community. We will sit down with you, shake hands with you, and earn your trust.

If you have been injured, it’s important to note that in Missouri, you only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is important to act quickly if you’ve been injured by another’s negligence. Our experienced, local personal injury attorneys can help you understand your options and guide you through the legal process. The attorneys at Kennedy, Robbins, Yarbro & Henson, LC, have more than 40 years of experience when it comes to personal injury, premises liability, auto collisions, motorcycle accidents and truck accidents. Representing your rights is what we do best. Call (573) 686-2459  or contact us to discuss your situation. Hire a local personal injury attorney. We’re for YOU, not “the people”.