As tempting as it is to start a claim on your own and avoid paying an attorney, it is crucial to understand that you will likely secure a settlement that is higher and fairer than if you don’t hire one. In other words, you will ultimately be leaving money on the table, even after you pay your attorney.
Speaking of attorney fees, we accept no payments upfront; our fees are based on contingency, which means if you don’t win, you don’t pay. Not only that, we offer a free consultation to all potential clients so that you can ask questions and get a clear idea of how strong your claim is.
If you’re interested in speaking with a personal injury attorney, call us at (209) 323-5126 to schedule your free, no-risk consultation.
Learn more about our Stockton Personal Injury Attorney Services.
What Happens If You Start Without an Attorney and Change Your Mind
The short answer is that it’s not too late, in most situations, to pivot to an attorney even if you’ve already started your claim. You can hire a personal injury attorney at any stage, even after you have received an offer of settlement. Bottom line: If you run into complications or get overwhelmed, call an attorney and find out what your options are.
Potential Complications of Filing a Personal Injury Claim Without an Attorney
If you are considering filing a personal injury claim without an attorney, you should be prepared for one (or several) of the following issues:
- Increasing complexity: One of the most common complications of personal injury claims is the dispute of liability. In this situation, the legal and financial stakes can rise rapidly. You may have thought you had no responsibility when, in fact, you may share some of the liability with the other party.
- Understanding settlement offers: Quick settlement offers are often put in front of victims to keep settlements as low as possible for the insurance companies. However, medical complications and future costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering often take time to understand the scope of. Quick settlement offers are rarely a reflection of the true and fair value of a claim.
- Process Complications: Paperwork and other filing deadlines, evidence procedures, and requirements are just a few of the process deadlines that attorneys deal with as a normal course of business. But for a person unfamiliar with the process, procedural requirements can get complicated quickly.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: When you face an insurance adjuster, whose purpose is to minimize payouts, you can count on a formidable opponent. An attorney on your side, however, signals you are well aware of what the claim is worth. In this situation, a skilled and experienced negotiator can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your claim.
When Is the Right Time to Hire an Attorney?
As stated above, you can hire a lawyer at almost any point in the process of a personal injury claim. Still, the sooner you secure a lawyer, the better your chances are of reaching the maximum settlement possible.
Bringing an attorney in at the beginning of the process means that your attorney will:
- Gather, preserve, and analyze evidence for maximum effectiveness
- Communicate with insurance companies
- Meet all legal deadlines
- Build a strategy that is tailored to the unique circumstances of your claim.
What if I have already received a settlement offer?
Even if you have a settlement offer sitting in front of you as you read this, our best advice is to call an attorney before you accept it and sign. Once you sign, you are closing the door on future claims for the incident, even if new details about your medical condition become known or further costs are incurred as a result of the incident.
Next Steps If You Hire an Attorney After a Claim is Filed
If you hire a lawyer after starting your claim, the following things will likely happen:
- The details of your case and any settlement offers will be scrutinized
- Additional evidence will be pursued and collected, such as surveillance footage or phone records
- Negotiations with the insurance company will transfer to your attorney
- Preparation for trial will begin if a fair settlement out of court is not within reach
Key Takeaways
- It is possible to hire a personal injury attorney at any stage of your claim, as long as you have not signed a settlement agreement.
- The best-case scenario is having an attorney representing you from the beginning of a claim.
- Hiring an attorney before you file a claim maximizes your compensation and ensures your rights are protected.
- Hiring an attorney before your claim means fewer headaches and fewer chances of error when the process gets complex.
- A free consultation with an attorney before you file can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Hiring an Experienced, Skilled Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you probably have questions. Even if you have already filed a personal injury claim, we may be able to help.
Call our offices at (209) 323-5126 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and get the answers you need.