Can You Handle Your Case Without a Lawyer?
There are certain types of cases which should not be settled without using the services of an attorney, and others which you may be able to handle yourself. The advantage of using an attorney is that he or she is experienced at obtaining a full settlement from an insurance company or defendant, and should know how much your claim is worth. The disadvantage is that the attorney’s fee can be as much as half of your award after costs and other fees are added.
Simple cases, where the injury is minor and the fault clear, can often be settled quickly with the insurance company without hiring an attorney. Even if the company balks at paying, you can often get a good settlement by filing a small claims case, since the insurance company’s expense of going to court is often higher than the cost of settling. Complicated cases, such as with serious medical malpractice or an accident causing death, should be handled by an attorney who can analyze the value of the case and let the other side know that you are serious about your claim.
As a personal injury attorney I have seen people who have made the mistake of settling their case without adequate legal advice. It is my firm belief that almost all personal injury litigants should seek counsel. But the purpose of this and my other articles is to give you the information you need to handle your case with or without a lawyer.
Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.
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