Ever been involved in a car accident? It seemed as if time stood still, right? One moment, you’re speeding down the highway, listening to your favorite song. The next thing—screeching tires, shattered glasses, and crunching metal—are all you can remember.
The aftermath can be more confusing: how did it happen? Who hit whom? And who’s at fault? It’s possible to handle a car accident claim alone, but contacting a car accident attorney and letting them handle the case is the better move.
In some cases, hiring a lawyer is unnecessary, especially if the lawsuit involves minimal property damage and minor injuries. If you want to go solo with your car accident case, know that you must gather enough evidence to support your claim and be ready to negotiate with brutal insurance adjusters alone.
Before you plan to handle your car accident claim alone, you must know what’s in store for you. This article outlines important things to know when planning to handle your lawsuit alone.
What’s In Store For You When You Handle Your Car Accident Claim By Yourself
It can be challenging to pursue a car accident claim after sustaining injuries in a car accident, and many issues can happen along the way. You might make many mistakes if you choose to avoid hiring a lawyer for your car accident claim.
Some mistakes can ruin your ability to receive payment for your medical bills, lost wages, and injuries. Below, you’ll find what’s in store if you go solo with your car accident claim.
You’ll Spend Time And Money Tracking Down The At-Fault Party
One thing people don’t always realize is how much time and money it takes to track down the person responsible for a car accident. First of all, there could be multiple people involved, maybe even witnesses you’d need to talk to, and gathering all that information can quickly get expensive and exhausting.
You might also end up spending days, or even weeks, trying to find everyone involved and get the right details. This can really slow things down and may even hurt your case, especially if there’s no police report or if the person who caused the accident isn’t easily identified.
Most lawyers won’t even take a case unless there’s clear evidence, like a police report or a clear record of who was at fault. This means that without that evidence, you could be left dealing with all this work alone, which is something to consider carefully before pursuing the case.
You Might Share Too Much Information With The Insurance Company
Most insurance adjusters are cunning, and if you don’t know your rights, they will make sure you end up with nothing. Before speaking with the other parties’ insurance company, you must understand your legal rights. You might say something that they can use against you later on.
You Might Mention Harmful Information About The Case To Your Medical Provider
It will surprise you to know that nurses, doctors, and other medical providers always record your discussions whenever you visit. If you make any damaging statement to them during your treatment, they will immediately record it, and it can be used as hard evidence in your lawsuit.
The Severity Of Your Damage Or Injuries Can Impact Your Case
If your injuries are not life-altering, the insurance company won’t fight your case. However, if the damages are severe, the adjuster will try every means possible to lessen the amount.
Your car accident case starts at the accident scene, and depending on the accident’s severity, you may be taken to the nearest hospital immediately.
There can be no case without medical documentation or treatment. You can only go far with your insurance claim if you provide bills and medical records to verify your injury and its extent.
