Should I Represent Myself?
Have you been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence? Are you unable to work because of these injuries or concerned about mounting medical bills? These questions are extremely stressful on top of the pain you may be suffering from your injuries. You may also be questioning whether or not you should hire a personal injury attorney to handle your case, or if you should represent yourself. Here are some important issues to consider if you face these circumstances and if you are considering representing yourself.
Are you confident that you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries?
In many cases, speaking with an attorney about your potential claim will help you to determine if the case is viable and if you have grounds to go to court or file a lawsuit.
How knowledgeable are you when it comes to personal injury claims and the legal process?
If you have previously been involved in a similar situation, you may feel more confident about the legal process and about handling the case on your own. On the other hand, this may be the first time you’ve ever been in a situation like this and have no understanding of how to proceed to successfully file a claim. In either case, speaking with a trusted personal injury attorney can benefit you, as they can go over the entire process with you and explain the options available to you. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations.
Is the cost savings of representing yourself worth the risk?
Most personal injury attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid for legal services if they collect compensation for you. However, if you represent yourself and win, you won’t have to pay an attorney their fees. The question you must ask yourself, is if you are confident enough to accurately represent yourself in accordance with the various rules and regulations. This includes things like filing the proper legal documents in a timely manner and understanding the governing laws.
Another thing to think about is that most self-represented claimants, should they win their case, will often obtain a lower settlement figure than if they had been represented by an experienced personal injury attorney. Since the only advantage gained by representing oneself in a personal injury case is potentially saving on attorney fees, it is important to consider that the loss in recovery amount may be greater than just paying the attorney fees.
Whether you decide to represent yourself or have an attorney represent you, it is highly advisable that you meet with a trusted personal injury attorney first, for a free consultation.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Virginia, Maryland, and DC
Consider contacting Hilton & Somer, LLC for a free consultation. Our law firm has helped countless injury victims and can do the same for you. Attempting to handle these complex claims on your own may lead to you being under compensated or losing out on damages altogether. Our Virginia, Maryland and DC personal injury attorneys will help to make sure that you get the fair settlement you deserve and are entitled to.
Contact us today at (703) 560-0700 and schedule a free consultation to find out more about how we can help you. Don’t suffer in silence, call us now and get the help you need.
References for “Should I Represent Myself?”:
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-to-represent-yourself-in-a-car-accident-claim.html
