Can I Represent Myself in a PI Case?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer represent you in a personal injury case. However, while you are free to represent yourself in a personal injury claim, having a lawyer on your side is recommended, particularly if you suffered serious injuries that affected your ability to earn a living for your family and left you struggling with medical bills and other expenses related to the accident.
The Benefits of Working with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Put simply, being represented by a personal injury lawyer will help ensure the best possible results for your case. Many studies have shown that having a lawyer can get you a higher settlement for your accident-related expenses, eliminate issues with insurers and their lawyers, and give you peace of mind knowing that an experienced professional is fighting for your best interests. This is especially true for people who have permanent injuries, significant pain and suffering, and in cases of wrongful death.
In a comprehensive report that reviewed existing data regarding whether people who have personal injury lawyers get higher compensation amounts than those who didn’t retain an attorney, the researchers data supports the conclusion that having legal representation greatly benefits injured claimants. Likewise, most of the studies offer strong evidence that people with lawyers receive more favorable results than people without lawyers.
Keep in mind that after getting injured in an accident, your life will revolve around going to the doctor, whether for treatments, medications, adjustments, therapy, or surgery. Insurance claims adjusters know that you are extremely vulnerable and overwhelmed during this time, so many of them will try to do everything they can to trick you into accepting a settlement that’s far less than what you deserve. You may feel pressured to accept the offer just to pay all your medical bills and get on with your life.
But it’s crucial to note that accepting a “quick settlement” without the advice of a lawyer is like signing away your legal rights forever. If you are still treating, you have no business entering into settlement negotiations. Accepting a monetary offer would legally bar you from suing the liable party and their insurer for any treatment or surgery after the date of the settlement. By accepting any settlement you are essentially agreeing that the funds offered are enough to cover all your injury-related expenses. But what you don’t know is that the amount you received may be nowhere near the amount you need to cover all your expenses, and you may end up without sufficient money after your medical providers receive their cut from your settlement.
We are not a “quick settlement” firm. When you have a Georgia personal injury lawyer representing you, insurers know that they cannot simply push you into doing what they want you to do. Your lawyer knows how insurance companies operate and use their experience and skills to secure a fair settlement that will be enough to cover all the past, ongoing, and future damages caused by your injuries.
Get In Touch With an Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At Banks, Stubbs & McFarland, our Georgia personal injury lawyers have ample experience handling all kinds of personal injury claims. To learn more about your specific case and the best legal options for your situation, give us a call at 770-887-1209 or contact us online to arrange your free case review with our Georgia personal injury lawyer.