Let's say you got into an accident while having a very good time. You probably damaged your car, got injured or lost some very important things. It is very pertinent to get some money for the repairs or replacement of lost or spoiled items.
You probably might be wondering if you can get this money from a car accident all by yourself, without the presence of a lawyer. Of Course, you can. Here’s how.
When To Consider Self-Representation
It’s certainly possible to represent yourself in a personal injury claim after an accident comes away with a satisfactory result.
This is especially true if you have experience handling your own legal matters in the past, and you’re able and willing to stand up for yourself and your case.
Depending on the type of your case, obtaining legal representation may save you time and money. Consider the following factors to determine whether you would need an attorney to represent you or not.
The seriousness of Your Injuries
If you were involved in a fender bender, an insurance company could offer an uncontested settlement to cover damages to your property and medical expenses.
However, if you were involved in a more serious accident involving serious damages such as pain and suffering, a personal injury lawyer would at least want you to get a case assessment.
The more serious your injuries are, the more likely it is that the insurance company will receive an undervalued settlement offer.
Sufficiency of Evidence
You will need evidence, such as witness testimony and supporting documents, to make a successful claim.
If there is no evidence of your pain and suffering, the insurance company or the court will assume that you did not suffer such damages.
If you’re having a hard time obtaining evidence for your case, you should consider getting help from a lawyer.
Proof of the Other Driver’s Fault
When you make a claim against the other driver or his insurance company, make sure the other driver was responsible for the accident.
It will be straightforward to continue with your lawsuit without an attorney as long as it is clear that the other driver caused the accident.
Nonetheless, if a conflict occurs over who is at fault, or if the other driver makes a counter-claim, you can seek advice from a qualified attorney to determine the case.
You don’t want to press your lawsuit against the other driver or his or her insurance company until you are confident the other driver was at fault.
Calculation of Your Pain and Suffering
Although there is no fixed method to quantify this type of damage, you need to specify a specific amount of pain and suffering damages.
Many prosecutors use the “multiplier” method to calculate pain and damage sustained. When you can’t come up with a particular value of your pain and suffering harm, you can contact a lawyer for personal injury.
Personal injury attorneys are qualified to use their technical know-how and expertise to measure a reasonable amount of damage you have sustained.
Learn More About The Mistakes Made, Settling Injury Claim Without a Lawyer
Important First Steps & Tips
First steps to be taken before sending a demand letter to the other side’s insurance company:
Take pictures of the property damage, the accident scene, and the injuries.
Get a copy of the police report (for a car accident case)
Get the medical treatment you need, as soon as possible.
Use any “personal injury protection” (“PIP”) insurance coverage to pay initial bills, and then use your health insurance. Get copies of all records and bills.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other person’s insurance.
Settling Your Car Automobile Collision Claim Without a Lawyer
OK, so you have fully recovered from your injuries. Follow these steps to present your claim to the insurance adjuster:
Obtain the Accident Report. The accident report is the form filled out by the police officer that investigated your accident. You can contact the department the officer worked to obtain the report. Generally, the agency will be the city police or the sheriff’s department. The report will contain the officer’s conclusions on the cause of the crash. If the other driver received a ticket, this is important in making your claim. More information on accident reports is found in our Car Accident FAQ.
Obtain your Medical Records. You should contact every medical provider you saw — including any ambulance service — and obtain copies of your medical bills and records. These records will show the extent of your injuries, the treatment and the cost of the treatment.
Collect any Lost Wages Information. Even if you used vacation days, you are entitled to get paid for this loss.
Check Out The Things to Take Note Of
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