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Should You Represent Yourself In A Personal Injury Case Or Hire An Attorney?

Posted on 04/25/22 by admin in Personal Injury

If you’ve been injured in an accident, you’re probably wondering whether or not you should hire an attorney to represent you in your personal injury case. Many people choose to represent themselves but this is often a mistake. Why is that?

The court system is not made for ordinary people. It’s just not how they were built. You are doing yourself a favor by at least talking to an attorney, using the free consultation to ask questions about your case. Sometimes it’s possible to handle your case on your own and an attorney should be honest about that. However, you may not realize how much the insurance company will take advantage of you if you don’t have a lawyer. 

Pros and Cons Of Hiring A Lawyer And Represent Yourself

Here are some reasons why you should always hire an attorney instead of representing yourself:

  1. You may not be getting the full benefits that you are entitled to.
  2. The insurance company may try to take advantage of you.
  3. It’s difficult to know what to say to the insurance company without jeopardizing your case.
  4. You may not have a complete understanding of the law, and could end up making mistakes that could jeopardize your case.
  5. The insurance company will almost certainly have lawyers representing their interests, and you will be at a severe disadvantage if you try to go up against them without legal representation of your own.
  6. If your case goes to trial, you will almost certainly need an attorney to represent you. Trying to represent yourself in court is almost always a bad idea.

representing your personal injury case and hot to do so

In short, it is simply not worth the risks to try to handle a personal injury case on your own. You are much better off hiring an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and protect your interests. Even if you may be tempted to try and handle the legal process on your own. After all, personal injury cases can seem relatively simple: the other party was negligent, and now you should be compensated for your injuries. However, there are a number of reasons why it is almost always in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you.

You Could Be Taken Advantage Of If You Represent Your Personal Injury Case

For one, insurance companies are not in the business of fairly compensating accident victims. They are in the business of making money, and they will do everything they can to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out on claims. An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to deal with insurance companies and will fight to get you the full and fair compensation you are entitled to.

Another reason to hire an attorney is that personal injury cases can be much more complicated than they first appear. There may be multiple parties liable for your injuries, or there may be questions about who was actually at fault. An experienced attorney will know how to navigate these complicated legal issues and build a strong case on your behalf.

multiple car accidents: who's at fault?

Finally, personal injury cases can take a long time to resolve. If you are trying to handle everything on your own, you may find yourself getting frustrated with the slow pace of the legal process. An experienced attorney will be able to handle all the paperwork and phone calls for you, so that you can focus on your recovery.

Is It Worth Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney?

The truth is that the court system was not made for laypeople. However, small claims courts is a place where people can confidently handle their case if they have one. If you try to take a personal injury case to small claims court, you will only get a small fraction of what your case is valued at. Partially because they don’t award pain and suffering compensation.

There are many reasons why you might need to hire a personal injury attorney. Maybe you were in a car accident and suffered injuries, or maybe you slipped and fell at a store and were injured. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. 

Armed with a skilled attorney you will be better prepared to have the best possible outcome for your case. Furthermore, a good attorney can help you craft a pain and suffering letter.

What Is Pain And Suffering?

Pain and suffering is considered to be non-economic damages. Most people don’t even know you can recover pain and suffering in a personal injury case. How can you or your lawyer do this?

didn't know about pain and suffering

A pain and suffering letter is a document that provides a detailed account of the physical, mental, and emotional anguish caused by an injury. This type of letter is typically used in personal injury cases to help prove the extent of the victim’s damages. A well-written pain and suffering letter can make a significant impact on the outcome of a case.

  • The first step in writing a pain and suffering letter is to describe the physical injuries sustained in the accident. It is important to be as specific as possible when describing the injuries. The letter should include a detailed account of the pain and suffering experienced as a result of the injuries.
  • The second step is to describe the mental and emotional anguish caused by the accident. The letter should describe how the injuries have affected the victim’s daily life, including work, relationships, and hobbies. It is important to be honest and open when describing the emotional impact of the accident.
  • The third step is to provide supporting documentation. This can include medical records, hospital bills, lost wages, and other documentation that supports the victim’s claim of damages. The more supporting documentation that is provided, the stronger the victim’s case will be.
  • The fourth step is to conclude the letter with a statement of the total amount of damages being sought. It is important to be reasonable when requesting damages. An unreasonable demand will only hurt the victim’s case.

A pain and suffering letter is an important part of any personal injury case. By taking the time to write a well-crafted letter, the victim can increase the chances of success in their case.

what is the value of my personal injury case

Your case could be valued higher than what you expected. You may not know the full value of your personal injury case. The best chance you could give your claim is to at least talk to a knowledgable personal injury lawyer. They will be honest with you on whether or not you should represent your personal injury case or if there is more to it.

Talk To A Personal Injury Lawyer

Even if you don’t plan on hiring a personal injury lawyer, talk to one. You can ask questions and see if this is something you want to pursue yourself or have an attorney on your side. However, we will always be honest with you.

Here at Malloy Law Offices, LLC we know that your attorney will more than likely be better able to negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to get you the full compensation you are entitled to. Oftentimes you get a way higher settlement check than expected at the end of your case even after the attorneys fees are taken out. We make sure you are covered fully. But don’t wait to make a decision, the longer you wait the less likely you are to get back due to statute of limitations. Call our law firm now to get your questions answered. We will be honest with you.