Before you even begin a personal injury claim, the insurance company or the other driver might contact you outright and want to settle. If you’re not familiar with the legal process, it’s tempting to close out this matter before it even begins in the courts. But are you at risk if you try to settle without a lawyer?
You might be able to handle a minor personal injury claim on your own without hiring a lawyer, but this could be a big mistake if your injuries are severe. One of the most important reasons to consider working directly with a personal injury lawyer is because it might not be clear that the other party was at fault. If you don’t have witnesses who will testify, you may struggle to get a satisfactory settlement on your own. This is just one reason why you should consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer who will navigate the legal process at your side. Without a lawyer, you may end up taking an unfavorable deal.
You may find that the other side fights back and argues that you are responsible for the accident or that they were not negligent at the time of the incident. This can have significant repercussions for your settlement or trial. You need to have someone who understands the common tactics engaged in by the other side so that you can fully prepare to avoid the catastrophic consequences of accepting a settlement that is far too low for the injuries you have sustained. With so much on the line, you can’t afford to rely only on yourself for legal protection; you need a personal injury lawyer who has a track record of pursuing these cases.

SENIOR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY & FIRM FOUNDER
Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who graduated from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1987. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes how insurance companies work and how they decide how much to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael’s inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents. Learn more about Michael Pines