You always have the right to represent yourself in a personal injury trial. It’s understandable why you would choose to do so. You don’t have to pay attorney fees, and you get to handle your case the way you see fit. However, a lot can go wrong if you are unfamiliar with personal injury law which can ultimately impact the outcome of your case. Therefore, when it comes to the question of how to represent yourself in an auto accident claim, the answer is that you should try to avoid it at all costs.
If you decide not to hire a personal injury lawyer in San Diego, then there is a possibility that you won’t receive the full financial compensation that you deserve. Here are the four dangers of representing yourself:
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Risks of Representing Yourself in Court – Danger #1: You’re not sure about the evidence you need to argue your case
There are several risks of representing yourself in court. Evidence is any type of material that is pertinent to your case. There is always a possibility that you could be overlooking something if you’re trying to manage things by yourself. Medical bills, photographs and statements are all examples of what could be used as evidence. Having an experienced set of eyes on your evidence can go a long way in determining the outcome of a case.
Do It Yourself Injury Claim – Danger #2: Missing a deadline
A do it yourself injury claim is something that you should never engage in. If you don’t file your claim before the statute of limitations expires, then legally you are no longer eligible to receive financial compensation. Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury in California is only two years from the time of the injury, so you will need to act quickly. It’s important to remember that there are also other deadlines that will occur throughout the course of your case. Keeping track of those deadlines can be time consuming. When you work with a personal injury attorney, their team will ensure that you never miss a filing and you won’t need to take on the risks of representing yourself in court.
Do It Yourself Injury Claim Danger #3: How do you calculate the damages?
Your goal is to ask for full compensation for damages that were a result of the accident. However, do you know how to tell the difference between the different types of damages? Also, how do you go about determining the total monetary value of those damages? A personal injury lawyer will know the amount of money you should demand based on your injuries, loss of income, and other financial factors.
Do It Yourself Injury Claim Danger #4: Not having a strategy in place when negotiating with insurance companies
There are some personal injury claims that don’t make it to trial. That’s because you often have the opportunity to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. However, this is a situation where experience and practice will make a huge difference. A qualified personal injury attorney will have the knowledge to limit your risk and prevent the negotiations from going awry. Here is what a personal injury lawyer will also consider:
- If you can win your case in court
- The amount of the settlement in similar past cases
- Any loopholes in the insurance policy
Schedule a Consultation Today with a Personal Injury Attorney in San Diego
When you reach out to HHJ Trial Attorneys, you have the chance to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer who is serving clients throughout San Diego. Why take any risks when you can hire someone who will fight for the compensation you deserve? Call us today so that we can review your case and devise a strategy moving forward. We want to fight for you by keeping those insurance companies in check.
Testimonial from Frankie, Satisfied Personal Injury Client
I was in a horrible car accident in August 2019, my car rolled 6 times. I was struggling to settle this car accident with the insurance of the person at fault trying to rip me off with next to nothing. That wasn’t going to work because the car accident had left me in quite a bit of debt and no insurance from not being able to work. Luckily my boss at the time met one of the attorneys at HHJ and gave me their information. I was worries due to the fact that I’ve never hired an attorney and was worries about being scammed or not be able to work with my case. I took a chance and met with one of the attorneys for a consultation and he was friendly, extremely professional, patient, and transparent about the entire process, every detail was explained clearly. In the end I agreed to work with them, and they were able to get a settlement that helped balance my finances to what they were before the car accident. Not only do I recommend their team but I insist you schedule a consultation if you need honest help from hard working professionals.
