If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may think you have an easy slam-dunk case. You may think it’s a good idea to represent yourself. Well, it is likely a better idea to hire a personal injury attorney, and here’s are a few reasons why:
- Stress: A personal injury claim can go on for months or, in some cases, years. There are a lot of obstacles (legal paperwork, witnesses, and more) you will have to deal with. All the while you are trying to focus on your recovery and dealing with these things yourself would just be another thing to worry about. A personal injury lawyer can help take some of the stress off your plate.
- Settlements: Many personal injury cases won’t even go to court and rather reach a settlement outside the courtroom. Without a professional, you will have to negotiate with the insurance company and their lawyers yourself, and could end up with a worse result than if you had hired a personal injury lawyer.
- Court: If a settlement isn’t reached, then you’ll likely file a lawsuit. While you can represent yourself, the insurance companies you’ll be going against will have experienced professionals who have been litigating these types of cases for years. Having someone who can stand against these litigators is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve. A personal injury lawyer will be able to stay objective, professional, and ready during your case. Plus, they know the personal injury claim process and will do the heavy lifting for you (collecting evidence, helping you understand the laws, etc.). Then, the only thing you have to do is explain what happened truthfully and as accurately as you can. They’ll take care of the rest.