If you plan on filing a personal injury lawsuit in California, you may wonder if you need to hire a lawyer to represent your case. In some situations, self-representation is a viable option. However, personal injury attorneys often have knowledge, experience, and resources that the average person cannot access. In many cases, hiring a lawyer is in your best interest.
Hiring an attorney can provide important benefits for your case, including knowledge of the litigation process, a breadth of valuable resources, and experience handling similar claims.
A personal injury lawyer will have years of experience handling personal injury claims. He or she will be very familiar with the process, as well as your local court system. This level of experience and knowledge can be very beneficial to your case.
Your attorney will know what steps you need to complete to file your claim. He or she can help you avoid preventable delays or errors that could impact your case. As you prepare for each step, your lawyer can provide valuable guidance to help you navigate your lawsuit.
Proving a personal injury claim requires a great deal of time and resources. Personal injury lawyers spend years building up their network and can leverage their resources to support your claim. For example, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with complex liability, your attorney can enlist the help of accident reconstruction specialists who can testify on your behalf.
Calculating your estimated settlement is one of the most complex parts of a personal injury claim. Without an accurate estimate, you could inadvertently accept a lower settlement than you deserve—leading to financial hardship later on.
A California personal injury lawyer can accurately calculate your potential settlement. To calculate intangible and long-term costs, he or she will apply commonly used formulas and enlist the help of expert witnesses, such as economists and medical experts.
An injury can have a major impact on your physical, financial, and emotional health. During this time, you require rest and healing. Handling a personal injury claim can be very stressful and impact your recovery. By hiring a lawyer to handle your case, you can focus on your treatment rather than complex litigation.
Not all personal injury claims require legal representation. If you are in a motor vehicle accident and do not experience any injuries or significant property damage, you could likely handle your claim alone. If you are confident handling the case alone, have prior knowledge of the legal process, or have strong negotiation skills, these traits can significantly benefit your case.
You may also consider self-representation if you want to save money on legal fees. However, it is important to know that most personal injury firms charge a contingency fee. Under this arrangement, you do not have to pay legal fees unless the firm wins a settlement on your behalf. Your legal fees will be part of your settlement, limiting your out-of-pocket costs.
In most personal injury cases, seeking legal representation is critical. The litigation process can be highly complex and proving a lawsuit can be a challenge without the resources of an attorney. As soon as possible following your accident, contact a California personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
