MALVERN, PA — Attorneys are becoming involved in automobile injury insurance claims within days of accidents, according to new research from the Insurance Research Council, raising questions about how legal representation, advertising and medical referrals affect claims costs and insurance affordability.
The council’s 2026 report found that nearly half of claimants who retained an attorney made contact within a few days of an accident, while 80% contacted a lawyer within several weeks.
The findings are based on a national online survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults conducted in July 2026, updating the organization’s previous research on consumer attitudes toward legal representation in auto insurance claims.
Nearly one-quarter of surveyed households reported a recent auto insurance claim. Among those claimants, approximately 70% said they had consulted or hired an attorney.
The survey also found widespread exposure to legal advertising, with more than 90% of respondents reporting that they had seen or heard attorney advertisements during the previous year. Television remained the leading advertising medium.
About 60% of respondents believed attorney advertising increases liability claims and lawsuits, while roughly half associated such advertising with higher automobile insurance costs.
Those responses reflect consumer perceptions rather than independently establishing that advertising causes additional litigation or premium increases.
Patrick Schmid, president of the Insurance Research Council, said the timing of legal representation is an important consideration in evaluating insurance costs.
“Attorney involvement remains an important driver of auto insurance claim costs and insurance affordability,” Schmid said.
Schmid also serves as chief insurance officer of the Insurance Information Institute.
The survey found that injury severity and concerns about receiving fair compensation were the primary reasons consumers gave for hiring attorneys. Legal expenses were the leading reason respondents cited for avoiding representation.
Medical referrals were another prominent finding. Approximately 80% of claimants who consulted or hired an attorney reported being referred to a medical provider for treatment.
The relationship between legal representation and medical treatment is relevant to insurers because injury-related medical expenses can affect the ultimate cost of resolving a claim.
The research also examined consumer awareness of litigation financing, in which outside investors provide funding connected to lawsuits.
Awareness of the practice has increased, although relatively few respondents reported direct experience with it. The survey found substantial support for transparency when outside investors finance litigation.
The report, Public Opinions on Attorney Involvement in Auto Insurance Claims: 2026, examines how consumers evaluate legal representation, attorney advertising and financial considerations during the auto insurance claims process.
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