Getting injured due to someone else’s negligence can lead to many problems. The CDC estimates that approximately 39 million Americans sustain injuries that require medical attention every year.
When you’ve been injured many victims ask themselves if they should hire an injury lawyer or represent themselves. The law does not require professional legal representation, however, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of having a personal injury lawyer at your side or not.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injuries may seem simple, but they can get quite complex fast. A personal injury attorney can provide certain benefits to your claim. Since there are so many proceedings and paperwork that come with filing a personal injury claim it can be difficult to fully understand the entire legal process.
Filing the proper documentation, following up, negotiating with insurance adjusters, and moving your case through the court process takes knowledge, time, and energy. An experienced lawyer can use their expertise to expedite your filing process and alleviate your stress.
A personal injury lawyer can help you collect the right evidence, document it, and present it to the court if they get involved right away. When facing large insurance companies, having a lawyer by your side communicates that you are serious about recovering damages in your claim.
Many personal injury cases are settled outside of court. Those involving legal professionals often occur more smoothly, and the compensation awarded is fairer and according to standards.
Drawbacks of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Hiring a lawyer can be pricey but many of them work on a contingency-bases. This often means you pay nothing up-front, and your lawyers only get paid if you win your case. When vetting potential attorneys go with the attorney that has experience with cases like yours, and a sound reputation in your local community.
The Risks of Representing Yourself
The courts will show you no mercy because you choose to represent yourself. You will be expected to know and understand all rules regarding evidence and civil procedures, plus identify the principal legal matter and raise all arguments.
Legal Knowledge and Costs
Courts will also expect you to know how to file all necessary paperwork within their differentiating deadlines and failing to do so could spell calamity for your case. You will also be immediately responsible for your legal expenses. Clients of personal injury lawyers, who operate on contingency, are often covered by the law firm in terms of any required upfront legal costs and pay for all legal expenses when their attorneys obtain a settlement for them.
Anyone representing themselves will be forced to pay their legal costs including:
- Court costs
- Filing fees
- Copying fees
- Serving pleadings
- Depositions
- Hearing transcribing
- Expert testimony costs
- Investigatory costs
Reduced Compensation
It is very difficult for the average personal injury claimant to gain the full value of their case while representing themselves. Personal injury attorneys, due to their experience, know how to accurately evaluate your claim’s full worth.
Should I Hire An Attorney or Represent Myself?
It can be a mistake for personal injury victims to believe that they can save money by not hiring a personal injury lawyer. The Insurance Research Council found that personal injury victims represented by an attorney received settlements of up to three and a half times higher than those without legal representation.
