Why Plaintiff Personal Injury Lawyers Hire Private Investigators

Why Plaintiff Personal Injury Lawyers Hire Private Investigators

Plaintiff personal injury (PI) lawyers represent individuals seeking compensation for injuries caused by negligence (e.g., car accidents, workplace incidents, public liability slips, medical negligence, or product defects). In Australia, these cases operate under no-win-no-fee models and require proving liability, causation, and damages. Private investigators (PIs) are frequently engaged to gather independent, objective evidence that strengthens the claim, counters defence tactics, and maximizes settlement value or court awards. PIs help level the playing field, as insurers often have their own investigators scrutinizing claimants.

Here are the most common reasons plaintiff PI lawyers hire PIs:

• 1. Investigating the Incident Scene and Reconstructing Accidents PIs visit accident sites to photograph/video conditions, measure distances, identify hazards (e.g., poor lighting, uneven surfaces), and gather physical evidence before it changes. They may recreate timelines or use experts for accident reconstruction reports supporting negligence claims.
• 2. Locating and Interviewing Witnesses PIs track down eyewitnesses who may have moved or been overlooked by police. They obtain detailed statements that corroborate the plaintiff's version, especially valuable in hit-and-run, workplace, or public incidents where initial reports are incomplete.
• 3. Gathering Evidence of Liability To prove fault, PIs investigate defendants (e.g., employers, property owners, drivers) for prior incidents, safety violations, maintenance records, or patterns of negligence. This includes background checks on companies or individuals.
• 4. Documenting the Plaintiff's Injuries and Impact PIs conduct "day-in-the-life" surveillance or interviews to record how injuries affect daily activities (e.g., mobility limitations, pain management). This visual evidence powerfully demonstrates non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in negotiations or court.
• 5. Uncovering Insurance or Asset Information PIs identify applicable insurance policies, coverage limits, or defendant assets to assess recovery potential and ensure all liable parties (e.g., subcontractors) are pursued.
• 6. Investigating Fraudulent or Exaggerated Defence Claims In disputed cases, PIs probe defence allegations (e.g., pre-existing conditions) by reviewing medical histories, social media, or prior activities to refute attempts to minimize payouts.
• 7. Serving Legal Documents When defendants evade service (e.g., notices of claim under Personal Injuries Proceedings Act in Queensland), licensed PIs locate and serve them efficiently.
• 8. Supporting Claims Involving Fraud or Complex Causation In medical negligence or workers' compensation, PIs gather evidence linking the incident directly to injuries, countering defence medical experts.

Hiring a PI is particularly common in high-value or contested claims, where insurers aggressively defend to reduce payouts. Evidence from licensed PIs (essential in Australia for admissibility) can significantly boost settlement offers or trial success. Costs are often recoverable if the case wins. Plaintiff lawyers view PIs as a strategic investment for building robust, credible cases.