You’ve suffered a basic accident, and you ask yourself, “Can I be my own lawyer?” After a minor accident, many people advocate for themselves against insurance companies. Thousands of people do this annually. Insurance companies want you to be your own lawyer because they can negotiate with you and not an attorney. If a person has the time and organization to follow-through, they may be successful on their own.
As much as I want to tell you that you must have a lawyer to get compensated for your injuries, I can’t. Sometimes you don’t need an injury lawyer. In fact, I get calls at my office every day from people involved in accidents, who I encourage to pursue claims on their own.
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of your case, you matt try to handle the following claim types personally:
- Home accidents
- Slip and fall cases
- Auto accidents
In some situations, the financial value of the case is so low that it would not make sense for someone to hire a lawyer who will take their fee out of the recovery. I evaluate cases every day, and if I know that a person will not be able to receive the compensation they are looking for, I will encourage them to negotiate with the insurance company directly. That way, they will increase the amount of money that goes in their pocket, by cutting out my contingency fee.
Regardless of this reasoning, you might be wondering why I would ever encourage anyone to handle a case on their own. The truth is that the insurance claims process has become so streamlined that the general public can figure it out alone. Insurance companies are heavily involved in the types of cases listed above, and they would rather negotiate with the consumer than an attorney. As such, the insurance companies have made the process less complex so the general public can better understand it and be effective.
You may be able to settle your own personal injury claim because:
1. Insurance companies have made the claims’ process user-friendly and efficient.
2. You understand your claim better than anyone.
3. The insurance company already determined a general range of the value of your claim.
4. You can save yourself from legal fees.
While there are many compelling reasons to try to settle your claim alone, there is nothing more valuable than experience.
You need to know your rights and have the knowledge necessary to protect your legal interests. Every action you take after your accident can have an effect on your case. Even claims involving minor injuries can become complex under certain circumstances.
It is important to at least talk to a lawyer about your case. An attorney with experience in personal injury will help you evaluate your case and give you the best chance to recover the compensation you need and deserve after an accident. Without a doubt, insurance companies will always offer more money when they’re negotiating with an attorney.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, call me at 1 (800) 556-4769 before you start negotiating your claim.
I will help you understand what you are entitled to and make sure the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you. As your Car Accident Lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over 33 years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio.” You can reach Tim by email at tmisny@misnylaw.com or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.
