Can you represent yourself in court? You always have the right to represent yourself in court after filing a personal injury lawsuit. You’re also likely considering to represent yourself in court because you’d prefer to avoid paying an attorney and minimize your fees. However, you could potentially miscalculate the compensation you deserve – compensation that an attorney can effortlessly obtain on your behalf.
Without an experienced personal injury attorney, you’re going to have a tough time handling your personal injury case in court. Here are 5 points to consider when making the decision to represent yourself in court:
Point #1 – You May not Know What Evidence You Need to Argue Your Case
Each personal injury case is different regarding the circumstances leading up to the accident. Depending on the type of accident that occurred, you’ll need to gather specific evidence that’ll help bolster your case. Producing documents that show you were injured is often not enough to prove that someone else is liable for causing the accident.
Point #2 – You Could Inadvertently Miss Deadlines
You have the task of filing your claim with the court system promptly. If the statute of limitations expires, you can no longer seek compensation for your injuries (the statute of limitations in California is two years beginning on the day the accident occurred). You should also remember that all court proceedings adhere to different dates and deadlines throughout the entire litigation process.
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Point #3 – You Don’t Know How to Calculate Your Damages to their Full Potential
How do you determine exactly how much compensation you should be seeking for your injuries? What would be a reasonable amount of money? You have to understand how to calculate the damages which are a direct result of the accident that caused your injuries. An experienced attorney knows exactly what to do when determining the cash value of the damages you suffered.
Point #4 – Litigating a Personal Injury Case Takes Experience
Personal injury attorneys go to trial all the time – they understand all the nuances of litigating various cases. They also undergo a lot of preparation beforehand to ensure that everything goes well and improve your odds of winning. They spend countless hours crafting an argument, collecting evidence, and obtaining witness testimonies.
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Point #5 – It’s Difficult to Prove Your Case
An experienced personal injury attorney understands the likelihood of winning a personal injury trial. You have to prove definitively that the negligent party is responsible for causing your injuries. This isn’t an easy task because the burden of proof falls on you, not the defendant. You’re also likely going up against the legal defense of a corporate insurance company. In other words, the odds are stacked against you, and you’ll probably struggle to prove your case in court.
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Don’t Hesitate to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Here at HHJ Trial Attorneys in San Diego, we have a team of experts who can litigate your personal injury case. We have the experience and legal knowledge to ensure that you can recover the maximum compensation for your injuries. Keep in mind that hiring a personal injury attorney will immediately increase your odds of winning your case.
Can you represent yourself in court? Yes. However, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with us today. We provide legal services for many Californians who’re currently pursuing personal injury claims. We can begin reviewing your case immediately and help you obtain a fair and deserving settlement.
Testimonial from Cynthia, Personal Injury Victim in San Diego
I can’t say enough about HHJ. I got in an accident and hurt my wrist which turned into a nightmare. I didn’t have an attorney for over a year figuring I could do it myself but the insurance company was awful. A friend told me I should call Adam Hepburn at HHJ and after meeting him I finally felt stress free. Adam and his firm took care of everything and even helped me see a few specialists which really helped in my recovery. Within 5 months the insurance company paid their full policy and I finally got to put this behind me. I am so thankful for Adam and HHJ and I will tell everyone about how amazing they are. If you need a car accident attorney in Carlsbad or North County San Diego, this is the best firm you could ever hope for. Thanks so much HHJ!
