Accidents can be stressful and overwhelming. Many people think they can handle their cases on their own. However, not having legal help is not only stressful but also comes with so many drawbacks.
To show the importance of seeking legal representation, reports have shown that people who hire lawyers for their personal injury claims receive 3.5 times more money than those who handle their cases alone. Finding an experienced personal injury lawyer who can handle your case is a necessity if you want fair compensation for your losses.
In this post, we will explore some of the drawbacks of handling a personal injury case without legal representation.
Limited Legal Knowledge
Personal injury laws can be complicated and involve many legal procedures, calculations (when it comes to damages) and deadlines. A personal injury lawyer knows the rules and can help you understand them. Without a lawyer, you might miss important details and deadlines that could hurt your case, and you lose your chance of getting compensation.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. When you don't have a lawyer, you might not know how to deal with the insurance companies. They may offer you a low settlement, and you might not realize it. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance companies to get you a fair settlement.
Difficulty in Gathering Evidence
Evidence is crucial in a personal injury case. You need to show evidence proving that the other driver was at fault and how much damage was caused. Gathering this evidence can be difficult if you don't know what to look for. A lawyer knows what evidence is needed and how to collect it. Without a lawyer, you might miss important evidence that could help prove fault and build a strong case.
Emotional Stress
Dealing with a personal injury case can be emotionally stressful. You might be dealing with injuries, medical bills, and other problems. Handling the legal aspects of your case on top of all this can be overwhelming. A lawyer can take care of the legal work, so you can focus on your recovery.
Risk of Lower Settlement
Without a lawyer, you might not get as much money as you deserve. Insurance companies know that people without lawyers are more likely to accept low settlements. They might offer you less money than you deserve. A lawyer can negotiate a better settlement for you. According to the same study mentioned earlier, people with lawyers receive 3.5 times more money than those without lawyers.
Courtroom Experience
If your case goes to court, you will need to present your case to a judge or jury. This can be intimidating if you don't have experience in the courtroom. A lawyer has courtroom experience and knows how to present a case effectively. Without a lawyer, you might not be able to present your case as well, and you could lose.
You don’t have to worry about lawyers' fees since most personal injury lawyers work on contingency fee arrangements. They will take a portion of your compensation as their fee. If they don’t win, they don’t get paid.
