You are under no obligation to hire legal counsel for your car accident claim. You can get a settlement for a car accident without a lawyer. However, we don’t recommend trying to do so. Serious risks are involved with pursuing a car accident claim without legal counsel.
Handling a case on your own could have dire consequences. It is best to have an attorney evaluate your claim before assuming you do not require their services. You likely do not have a full understanding of the claims process or personal injury law. Allow someone who handles cases like yours every day to attend to the details of your situation.
When Accident Victims are Most Tempted to Go Without an Attorney
There are some car accident claims that people often think could be resolved without the need for an attorney. Car accidents involving minor vehicle damage and no bodily injuries can be more complicated than they first appear. Insurance companies are not likely to negotiate in good faith, either.
Part of the value of hiring an attorney is relying on their experience to know what your claim is worth. In many cases, what looks like a minor claim could be something much bigger. If you fail to recognize the true value of your personal injury case, you could miss out on the compensation you deserve.
The safest route is to discuss your claim with an attorney before agreeing to anything with the other driver or their insurance company.
Important Factors to Consider Adding to Your Claim
No two car accident claims are exactly alike. For that reason, it is important to take each individual car accident claim as it comes. You might have handled a minor accident by yourself before.
However, do not assume that every accident will resolve itself the same way. There are many factors involved with a car accident claim that could make the guidance of an attorney crucial.
These factors include:
Bodily Injuries
If you suffered an injury in your car accident, you should discuss your case with your attorney. While legal counsel is vital for serious injury claims, it is risky to pursue any injury claim without an attorney.
For starters, the severity of your injury might not always be clear. Your attorney could help you determine the amount of compensation you need to address your injuries.
Liability Issues
Sometimes it is clear which party was at fault for a car accident. In other cases, both sides might point the finger at each other. Resolving a car accident claim is far more challenging in situations when the other parties dispute liability. This is true even if it seems “obvious” to you the other driver was at fault.
You can collect damages if you are not primarily at fault. But if you were texting at the time of the accident and the other party proves this, it will be hard for you to present your own case for compensation by yourself.
Litigation
Negotiating a settlement with an insurance company is one thing. Pursuing litigation and taking a case to trial is another. Litigation is complex. Legal mistakes can have significant consequences. If your claim requires filing a lawsuit, your best interest is to seek out an attorney.
How Your Attorney Could Help You Build a Strong Case
With most car accident claims, there is too much at stake to put your financial recovery at risk. You could get a settlement without a lawyer. However, pursuing an injury claim on your own is a risky proposition; it could have lasting consequences for you and your loved ones.
There are several ways your attorney could assist with your car accident claim. In many ways, hiring representation is about avoiding the unnecessary errors that could put your recovery at risk.
Some of these errors include:
Giving a Recorded Statement
The other driver’s insurance company will try to make contact with you immediately after an accident. Giving them a recorded statement is not only unnecessary, but it could also put your claim at risk. Your attorney could speak to the insurance company on your behalf.
Undervaluing Your Claim
Knowing what an injury claim is worth takes experience and skill. If you undervalue your claim, you could learn after the fact that your settlement will be inadequate to meet your long-term needs.
Settling Too Quickly
While the thought of a quick settlement might sound ideal, the reality is that you should wait until you have recovered as much as possible. That will allow you to have a full understanding of your current and future medical needs.
Waiting Too Long
There is a fine line between settling your case too soon and waiting too long. If you wait too long to file your lawsuit, you could miss out on your chance to pursue compensation entirely.
Your Initial Consultation is Free
At the Underwood Law Office, the initial consultation is always free. That means you can secure an evaluation of your claim and learn if having an attorney in your corner is your best course of action.
Call the Attorneys on Our Team to Get Started
The Underwood Law Office understands what it takes to resolve car accident claims. We have recovered compensation on behalf of our clients and are ready to put that experience to work for you.
Call for your free consultation today.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
