How AI Is Reshaping Personal Injury Law

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant idea in the legal profession—it's here, and it's transforming how personal injury (PI) lawyers work. In a recent webinar hosted by Precedent, Josh Fogelman, a former trial lawyer and current legal tech leader, shared why AI has become essential for modern firms and what attorneys should consider as they embrace new technology.

From Trial Lawyer to AI Advocate

Josh began by recounting his own journey from litigating auto and fall-down cases to becoming the Chief Operating Officer of a high-volume PI firm. Over the years, he realized that many firm processes were antiquated, often relying on spreadsheets and manual workflows.

He described how he became inspired by the promise of AI to automate bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and help lawyers focus on what matters most: client advocacy. As Josh put it, the goal isn't to replace attorneys but to free them up to do higher-value work.

"AI is about eliminating friction, buying back your time, and scaling your impact without sacrificing quality."

"AI isn't here to replace attorneys—it's here to eliminate friction, reclaim time, and help lawyers focus on higher-value work."

The Challenges of Adoption

Despite the clear benefits, Josh acknowledges that many lawyers remain skeptical. He highlighted several common barriers to adoption:

• Mindset Resistance: Attorneys often value control and precision and can be reluctant to let software take over parts of their workflow.
• Ethical Concerns: Ensuring data security, client confidentiality, and compliance with professional rules is paramount.
• Market Overload: With so many new AI tools emerging, it can be hard to separate hype from genuinely useful solutions.

Josh emphasizes the importance of asking hard questions about technology partners' security practices and understanding exactly how AI fits into firm processes.

The Opportunity to Modernize

While some firms hesitate, Josh warned that waiting too long to adopt AI could mean falling behind. Those who embrace the right tools now will be best positioned to improve client satisfaction and operate more profitably.

He outlined how AI can accelerate every phase of a case:

• Intake & Onboarding: Automating data collection, document review, and initial communications.
• Pre-Litigation: Summarizing thousands of pages of records in seconds and surfacing key facts.
• Settlement & Post-Trial: Streamlining payment workflows and reducing delays.

In each area, AI helps lawyers reclaim time for strategy, preparation, and direct client relationships.

"Law firms that embrace AI now will gain a competitive edge, while those who wait risk falling behind."

A New Webinar Series for Trial Lawyers

Josh closed by previewing Precedent's upcoming webinar series, which will dive deeper into using AI across the entire lifecycle of a PI case. These sessions will cover best practices, ethical considerations, and real-world examples of how technology can make firms more competitive.

As an added benefit, the webinars are being accredited so participants can earn CLE credits while exploring the future of legal practice.