Going at It Alone: Is It Ever a Good Idea to Represent Yourself in a Car Accident Claim?
Though this is something that you won’t hear most lawyers admit to, you can actually represent yourself in a car accident claim. If you have been Injured in a New Mexico Car Accident and are suffering emotionally and physically, then it is your legal right to seek compensation. Before you go out and represent your own legal case, there are some things you need to be aware of. You might also want to get in touch with an insurance company to help you get rebuilt title insurance after your accident. My friend recently had a bad car accident and considered representing herself. I told her that she needs to buy a dash cam from somewhere like BlackBoxMyCar since that would help her defence if she were to get into an accident again. Car accidents can be pretty difficult to sort out if you don’t have any evidence.
Representing Yourself
Most people who decide not to hire a lawyer are usually involved in small claims cases. If you have decided to act as your own legal counsel in a car accident claim, you will have to spend quite a number of hours reading insurance law. You will also have to
familiarize yourself with the “rules of the road.” So if reading a bunch of legal documents isn’t something you are prepared to do, then maybe you should rethink representing yourself.
You will also have to file a claim against the driver who injured you or your vehicle. You will have to find the necessary form, file it with the court clerk, and then serve the person you are suing. You must always follow the right procedure. Once the defendant has received your claim form, you must begin to collect your evidence. Gather all the evidence available from the accident site and prepare to bring it before the judge. Make sure your evidence is compelling enough to get you a positive ruling.
Why You Should Get an Attorney
There are a number of good reasons why you should hire car accident attorneys. The first reason is that as an individual, you will struggle when taking on the insurance company. Insurance companies will always try to give you, the victim, as little compensation as possible because they are in the business of making a profit from accidents. Just a few days after the accident, you will receive calls from insurance agents trying to convince you to go for an out-of-court settlement. With their extensive knowledge of the law, they know how to manipulate accident victims who have little legal knowledge.
The second reason to hire a layer is that you do not have adequate knowledge of the law. An attorney will know how to protect your rights under the law, especially since different states have slightly different laws. Your lawyer will make sure that you file your
claim within the statute of limitations period for car accident claims.
The third reason is that you are likely to undervalue the amount of compensation you should claim. You may include the damages for medical costs and lost wages but what about other factors like pain and suffering? How about ongoing care? Only a competent
attorney can help you correctly value your claim.Nobody ever wants to get caught up in a car accident injury claim. However, life
sometimes takes a sudden turn. You have to be prepared to make the right decisions, and one of the best things you can do is to consult a qualified car accident attorney.
