Can You Represent Yourself in a Car Accident Case?

Experiencing a car accident can cause you to have headaches, both literally and figuratively. Your life is likely already full and complicated enough without the hassle and problems caused by a car collision. Perhaps you are asking yourself, is it less complicated to represent yourself in your car accident case? Might a settlement even come sooner?

Particularly when your accident seems minor, you may be trying to decide whether it is just simpler to handle the legal issues yourself. The at-fault party may have readily admitted to causing the collision. Therefore, now you are thinking, what is the point of having an attorney? 

If you are considering representing yourself in a car accident case, there are important factors you should consider before doing so. We’ll discuss these factors below. It is our desire at Phillips Law Group that you attain success in your legal pursuits after suffering an automobile collision.

To discuss your case in detail, please get in touch with the personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Group. You can call us at (602) 222-2222 or fill out our online form to speak with one of our attorneys.

You Can Represent Yourself in a Car Accident Case

If you are the victim of a car accident, you certainly have the right to represent your own case. Of course, just because someone can do something, this alone does not mean it is always the best decision. 

Under what circumstances may it be reasonable to represent yourself? Consider the following questions:

• Is there very limited property damage?
• Are you certain that there are no injuries from the collision?
• Has the at-fault party unequivocally accepted responsibility?
• Is the insurance company fully cooperating with your claim?

If the answers to all these questions above are “yes,” then you could be looking at a situation where self-representation can lead to success. This is no guarantee, however. 

If your collision is straightforward and all parties involved are honest, it may be possible to represent yourself successfully. Yet, it is important to note that, even with the best of circumstances, there can still be challenges to representing yourself in a car accident case.

The law related to car accidents is complex. The legal processes for submitting forms, filling out documents, and informing involved parties are all complicated. Every step must be accomplished precisely and accurately. Hiring a car accident lawyer can ensure that these steps are handled promptly and correctly.

In addition, it can be easy for someone or an insurance company to take advantage of a person who lacks knowledge of the law. An experienced personal injury attorney who handles car accident cases can protect your legal rights. This can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’ll receive the fair compensation that you deserve.

Why Get Help From a Car Accident Lawyer?

It’s rare for a car collision case to be as easy as pie, and a claim involving truthful and sincere at-fault parties is even rarer. Insurance companies that are candid, helpful, and ready to settle for a fair amount are almost unheard of.

Thus, without a lawyer on your side, it’s unlikely that you can receive the best settlement possible. You may lose valuable time and have increased stress dealing with the paperwork and challenges of negotiating with an insurance company.

Having an attorney working with you can help in several areas and ease a tremendous amount of stress. Two important ways a lawyer can help you are:

1. Establishing proof of negligence
2. Negotiating with the insurance company

How an Attorney Can Help You Establish Proof of Negligence

For you to receive compensation in a car accident case, the evidence must establish who is at fault. It is unlikely that the guilty party will document such evidence himself. Therefore, it is much less probable that the guilty party will submit the legal documentation for you to receive restitution.

Consequently, if you are representing yourself in a car accident case, you will have to take these steps on your own. This is stressful and time-consuming. However, if you make use of an attorney, he or she can handle this process for you. 

Your personal injury attorney who handles your car accident case can examine the facts and evidence of the collision, independent of other biased influences. Your attorney can determine what occurred by means of his or her own thorough investigation. 

This investigation may include the following steps:

• Visiting and examining the scene of the collision in person
• Performing a detailed inspection of all vehicles and objects involved in the crash
• Capturing photos of the accident scene, the vehicles, and objects involved (such photos would be from all angles and near and far perspectives)
• Taking photos of all injured persons and damaged items
• Collecting any additional visual evidence such as videos from persons present when the collision happened, traffic videos, security camera footage
• Listening to, documenting, and comparing all eyewitness accounts
• Examining and determining if the police report is accurate
• Determining if weather influenced the collision
• Scrutinizing the road conditions at the accident scene and looking for additional elements that may have contributed to the collision, such as road debris, or even animals
• Inspecting all traffic signals and road signs that may have affected the drivers in the accident

When you choose to represent yourself in a car accident, you will have to conduct a thorough investigation into the collision. This process of accumulation and arrangement of the evidence can be complicated and require a lot of time. However, when you work with an attorney, you can focus on your recovery, and your attorney can perform these essential tasks on your behalf.

How an Attorney Can Rescue You From an Insurance Company

Unfortunately, even in a straightforward case, an insurance company can prove to be problematic. Your goal is to obtain the most compensation that is available to you. The goal of the insurance company is to pay the least.

Negotiations with an insurance company can become heated and strenuous. The insurance company may attempt to wear you down. In this situation, having a car accident attorney on your side is extremely important.

An attorney can fight the negotiation fight for you. Your attorney can put the necessary pressure on a resistant insurance provider. Then, with diligence and determination, your attorney can apply legal strength until the insurance company does what is in your best interests.

Having a competent and skilled car accident lawyer can be crucial when dealing with difficult at-fault parties and obstinate insurance companies. It is especially difficult to deal with troublesome parties if you have been injured in a collision. Trying to fight and negotiate with deceptive people and companies while you are trying to heal can be overwhelming.

However, a personal injury attorney can challenge all accountable parties who resist your claim. While you focus on your recovery, your attorney can handle negotiations with troublesome insurance companies and communicate with dubious guilty parties.

Get Help From a Personal Injury Attorney at Phillips Law Group

With more than 6 million car accidents in the US each year, it’s not uncommon that you find yourself the victim of a car collision. Unfortunately, you will have complications and challenges ahead of you in your recovery. The pursuit of fair compensation can be one more hardship that causes frustration and stress.

Representing yourself in a car accident can leave you facing these obstacles alone. However, with a personal injury attorney taking on your case, much of your apprehension can go away. A skilled attorney who has experience and wisdom with car accident cases can give you the confidence you need as you seek restitution.

Let a personal injury lawyer at Phillips Law Group assist you. When you work with us, You can be confident that your legal affairs are being handled correctly, in a timely manner, with your best interests in mind. 

Please get in touch with the personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Group before time runs out to resolve your claim. You can call us at (602) 222-2222 or fill out our online form to speak with one of our attorneys.