If you have been injured in an accident due to another party’s negligence, you can represent yourself in a personal injury claim. But, the question is, should you?
We already know that accidents happen in the most unexpected times, and it is not a good experience. But the worst is failing to claim the compensation you are entitled to. After all, you always deserve compensation if you have been damaged or injured by someone.
Some people think that representing themselves is enough and is the right decision. They are confident they can handle negotiations and legal actions to pursue their claims. It seems to be a time-saving and money-saving solution for them.
This is where the problem starts. Though you believe you are capable, it is not as simple as that. It might be convenient at first, but it could be your worst decision in the long run.
Here are the reasons why such a rush decision would likely fail.
1. You will not be able to Calculate Properly the Compensation you are Entitled To
Calculating the total damage for an injury claim is not simple. You can not just offer a vague amount for your compensation with no bases. Some points need to consider, such as present costs and how the injury will affect the future.
Some of the Compensatory damages are as follows:
- Medical Expenses
- Loss of Wages
- Reduction or Loss of Earning Ability
- Pain and Suffering
- Quality of Life
It can also be calculated by adding up all your economic and non-economic damages and losses. But that is not what you can do overnight. Without any proof supporting your claims, all of your vague calculations will most likely be disregarded.
Therefore, you can not evaluate properly the full extent of the damage alone. On the other hand, a personal injury attorney can do it efficiently and effectively for you on your behalf.
2. You will most Likely Fail to Gather and Present the Necessary Evidence
Presenting any available proof for your claim is a must. Your aim is to get the compensation you deserve.
However, gathering important information and evidence on your own is tough, especially when you are injured.
Time is not on your side. Pieces of evidence that are present during the accident can be lost over a period of time. Witnesses might forget what happens before they make statements. The other party might steal or cover up other evidence without you knowing.
You don’t know which types of evidence are necessary to strengthen your case. Most lawyers have their own network of investigators. They can investigate properly and secure the required information and proof for you.
Aside from medical records, police reports, and witness statements, more documents are needed. Failing to comply with even just one might result in your loss.
3. Negotiations with Insurance Companies are Tricky
We don’t need to say this, but you probably already know how insurance companies deal with their customers in these types of situations.
They use a lot of tricks and ways to minimize your claims. Here are a few of those tricks:
- Urgent Statements – They will ask you to make critical statements while you are in a vulnerable state. And when you miss just one detail or make a single mistake, they will use it against you.
- Question and answer Game – Insurance adjusters will ask questions designed against you. They can lock you into an answer before you know all the facts. And again, any single mistake can be fatal.
- Quick Settlements – They want to settle the compensation quickly because they don’t want you to talk with a lawyer. That is also because they are giving you a low offer, a lowball. They don’t want you to know the actual value of your injury claims.
Experience always matters. The insurance adjusters have probably dealt with, hundreds, if not thousands of claim settlements. They are an expert negotiators who will do everything possible to minimize your payout. That is their job, and that is how insurance companies make a profit.
4. Lawsuits are Complicated
Some lawsuits are complicated. That is why you should entrust lawyers to help you out. They are the experts, and they should be the ones to represent a plaintiff or a defendant in a lawsuit. They know, and they are experts in the law.
What do you think would happen if you argued against the attorney of the opposite party?
It will be easy for them to trick you, and you are more likely than not to get a very unsatisfactory result or lose the case. It has been said that, “a person who represents themself, has a fool for a client”. Avoid making fatal errors in your case by hiring a lawyer immediately. More often than not you will recover more utilizing the services of a qualified and experienced attorney, even after paying attorneys fees than you will recover by trying to handle the case without a lawyer.
5. You will Most Likely End Up Getting Less Compensation Than You are Entitled To
This is the most common thought of people involved in an accident or injury. They think that having a lawyer on their side would result in a lesser compensation. This is not always true.
In most cases, personal injury claims without a lawyer involved resulted in lesser compensation. Reasons are already stated in the previous lists.
If you are planning to represent yourself in your injury claim, think again. You only have one shot to prove your case, you might not get another chance.
In any case, we highly recommend you contact a lawyer for a free case consultation.
Talk to the Experts. Contact Us Now!
Here at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. we go above and beyond as a highly respected personal injury law firm in California. Let us handle all your concerns and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us online or call (415) 851-6486 in San Francisco or (415) 851-6486 in the North Bay. The consultation is free!
The post 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself in a Personal Injury Claim appeared first on The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc..