Can You Settle a Personal Injury Claim Without An Attorney?

When you or a loved one receive an injury in an accident, filing a personal injury claim is likely the last thing on your mind. But the settlement you may receive from a claim can provide financial compensation for your injuries. Because of this, it is important to carefully research whether a personal injury claim would be beneficial in your situation. 

Can you settle a personal injury claim without an attorney? 

Many people are hesitant to file a personal injury claim. Much of this uncertainty centers on whether to invest in an attorney. It is possible to file and settle a personal injury claim without an attorney, but many times, the added expertise of a professional will provide you with a better settlement outcome.

In this article, we will share some of the times where it may be beneficial to settle a personal injury claim without an attorney. We will also cover some of the benefits of investing in a Huntsville personal injury lawyer to settle your claim for you.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is the result of an injury that was caused by the carelessness or neglect of another person. By filing a personal injury claim, the victim of the accident hopes to receive financial compensation.

Once the victim files a personal injury claim, they negotiate to reach a settlement. If a fair settlement is reached, the case will not move to a courtroom setting. 

You can file a personal injury claim with or without the help of an attorney. There are situations where it may be simple enough to file the claim on your own. This is called self-representation. Some personal injury cases are, however, far too complex for self-representation. In these situations, it is wise to work with a personal injury lawyer to receive the settlement you deserve.

Settling a Personal Injury Claim Without an Attorney

No matter the scope of your personal injury claim, it will require a decent amount of work. Between preparing the documentation, gathering evidence and filing the claim, there is plenty of opportunity for confusion. But if your accident was a minor incident – such as a slip and fall or a fender bender – it may be possible to both file and settle the claim without an attorney.

If you are still experiencing injuries or side-effects from the accident, it is important to first consult a personal injury lawyer before filing or settling your claim. In addition, it is important to realize that filing and settling a personal injury claim without an attorney will require a significant amount of work and effort.

This will not only cost your valuable time but will also cause potential stress. For that reason, you must carefully consider whether it is really worth it to settle a claim without the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.

There are a few common mistakes that individuals make when they attempt to settle their personal injury claim without the help of an attorney. Listed below are some of the areas in which you need to use caution while self-representing in a settlement.

Settling Too Quickly

The No. 1 mistake individuals make when they attempt to settle their personal injury claim without an attorney is settling too quickly. When you represent yourself, the other party’s representation may try to take advantage of you. 

The other party accomplishes this by offering you a quick settlement that, at first glance, may seem generous. Be aware, though, that the first offer is often much less than the fair settlement you deserve.

Unfortunately, this can be hard to recognize for an individual with no experience in personal injury cases. By negotiating the settlement, you often will be able to increase the amount of compensation you receive. 

Poor Negotiation Skills

Settling a claim is all about negotiation. To receive a fair settlement, you must be an excellent negotiator. Many individuals who self-represent in a personal injury case are not confident in their negotiation skills. Because of this, they are easily taken advantage of. 

Failing to Do Proper Research

One of the most important steps to any personal injury claim is conducting thorough research before filing. Failing to compile the appropriate documents and supporting evidence will provide you with little ground to stand on once the settlement arrives. 

If you decide to file a personal injury claim without the help of an attorney, carefully work through each step of the process. By doing so, you can ensure you do not overlook any important detail. This will provide you with the best chances of having a successful settlement.

Benefits of Working with a Personal Injury Attorney

You can settle a personal injury claim without the help of an attorney. In many cases, however, this is not the best move. When you work with a Huntsville personal injury lawyer, much of the stress and frustration of a personal injury case is reduced. Especially when the accident or resulting injury was great, a personal injury lawyer provides you with the best chances for a fair settlement.

Personal injury lawyers are professional negotiators. Because of this, they are often able to provide you with a much better settlement than you would be able to secure for yourself. The negotiation process alone is well worth investing in a personal injury lawyer.

There are many other benefits to working with a personal injury attorney while filing and settling your personal injury case. Their expertise in the area of personal injury law will be useful in ensuring no part of the process is forgotten. 

Finding a Huntsville Personal Injury Attorney

Filing a personal injury claim is a complex process with many details. It is important to work with a Huntsville personal injury attorney you can trust. The lawyers at Hornsby, Watson, Hornsby & Heyward have provided many clients with favorable outcomes.

With their complimentary legal consultations, this team of experts hopes to provide legal assistance to anyone who needs it. Schedule your complimentary consultation with Huntsville personal injury lawyers here.