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The Ins and Outs of Filing a Personal Injury Claim Without an Attorney

Personal injury cases can be tricky as courts try to decide who is at fault and who is entitled to compensation. In most cases, the other party’s insurance company will have its own team of attorneys who will try to avoid admitting fault and pay out the claim. You can file a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a workers compensation attorney. But, if you want to do it on your own, there are a few things you need to help you win the case. 

Are Your Injuries Minor?

If the accident was minor and you had no injuries, you may want to proceed on your own and avoid hiring an attorney. However, before you do, it is important to keep in mind that some injuries don’t appear right away, you could look here to read more. And if it happened that you or your loved ones suffered a catastrophic personal injury as a result of a fire, a chemical burn, an electrical burn, or other event, you can contact a reliable burn injury lawyer to help you get the right compensation you deserve!

If you have what you believe is a minor bruise and you accept the initial settlement offer from the insurance company, you will not be able to sue if you discover a more serious injury later. Talk to your doctor to make sure your stiff neck is not whiplash or a herniated disc before you accept settlement money without an attorney. 

Has the Insurance Company Accepted Liability?

If the insurance company has accepted their client is 100 percent at fault for the accident, it may be okay for you to proceed without an attorney. Bear in mind, however, that you must get this statement in writing.

Without this, you could open yourself up to legal challenges down the line. While you may know that the other driver rear-ended you, but he might have told his insurance company that you backed into his car. Get everything in writing. 

Do You Have Time to Manage Your Case?

You may still be in pain from the accident and have to keep up with regular doctor’s appointments. If you are undergoing physical therapy or participating in counseling, you may find yourself pulled in all different directions.

Personal injury claims can be complicated and time-consuming. You will need to get witness statements, review police reports, negotiate with the insurance adjuster, and keep up with filing deadlines.  

Personal Injury Claim Complications 

According to a personal injury attorney, there are many complications that can arise from a personal injury claim. Be sure to be aware of these complications if you decide to file your claim without an attorney.  

·        Shared blame. In some states, you may lose your right to receive compensation if you are found to be responsible for 50 percent or more of the accident. If you were texting and driving and ran a stop sign and another car hit you, you could lose any claim to compensation from the other driver. An attorney will fight tooth and nail to make sure you can prove that you were not at fault. 

·        Interpleaders. If there are multiple people involved in the accident, the insurance company may ask the court to decide the amount of money that each litigant will receive. If you have a workers compensation lawyer, they can fight for your fair share of the award.  

When to Hire a Lawyer 

If you have extensive injuries or a complex case, you will definitely need personal injury lawyers to assist you. Complex cases include: 

·        Severe car accidents resulting in extensive injuries

·        Medical malpractice

·        Asbestos claims

·        Injuries to children

·        Prescription drug claims

·        Product liability cases.

While you can file a personal injury claim without an attorney, there are many elements that you will need to prove to get maximum compensation. If your case is complex, the injuries are severe and so is your medical debt, or you simply aren’t sure you can win on your own, contact a personal injury lawyer. Cesar Zuniga, Esq. is an excellent personal injury lawyer serving Yonkers. Most personal injury attorneys work on a no-win-no-fee basis and offer other useful perks like free case evaluations. It is a win-win situation for you.

Author bio

With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma C. Dengler decided to combine her skills. In the past, when she was involved in proceedings of her own, she witnessed firsthand the weight of legal language. A convoluted terminology can easily disarm the average American. Therefore, she set off to empower her readers by making the law more accessible to them. Although she has covered all areas of civil and criminal law, insurance-related issues, and her area of specialty are personal injury cases.

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