Many people would like to avoid hiring an attorney to help them through the personal injury claim process. Legal fees can be high, and a fear often exists that attorneys do nothing but complicate the process.
If you have a video of the actual accident and believe you can handle the claim on your own, that is completely possible. However, a lawyer can help make sure everything is handled properly and your rights are protected. So, do you still need a lawyer or not?
We have asked attorney Alaina Sullivan about what you should do. Here is what she had to say:
What Is Your Case Worth?
You have video evidence showing how the accident happened, but what do you do with that evidence? Do you know what your case is worth? It is worth more than just some unpaid medical bills and property damage.
Different types of damage claims are available to plaintiffs, but not all plaintiffs know what they are or how they fit into their specific situations. For instance, will you need to take time off work and will lose income due to your injuries? Could you ask for pain and suffering?
At minimum, it would pay to have an attorney review your case to see whether it would be worthwhile to hire one to handle your case.
Lawyers Know the Law
It sounds simple enough, but you are paying a professional for a reason: he or she knows what he or she is doing. Just because you have the visual proof, you may not know what to ask for in terms of damages with the insurance company, and you may also have no idea how to even begin a law suit if you need to pursue your case in the court system.
A lawyer will be able to easily handle these tasks without much time and while, yes, you will pay in terms of fees, it will pay off in the long term.
Lawyers Knows the Process
Filing a personal injury claim with your insurance company is a specific process, and it helps to have the knowledge of what to do and when. Certain deadlines must be met, and not meeting deadlines or not providing the correct criteria could seriously hurt you in the long run.
The legal system has its own set of procedures and rules about which most non-lawyers have no knowledge. Each statue has its own statute of limitations by which you need to file a claim. Each court also has a deadline for when to file a claim, how long you have to respond to a motion or petition, how to properly format your response, and how to object when needed.
The court has to treat all parties equally, and this means they cannot give any preferential treatment or slack to a party who is not an attorney. If you file something improperly, the court will have to treat you just as if an attorney had filed the petition improperly.
You may be able to figure it out on your own, but think of the time and energy you will save by hiring an attorney to do it for you.
Picture Proof – Is It Enough?
You have the evidence on a video. That should speak for itself, right? Unfortunately, that is not always the case. If your case is going to court, certain evidence rules need to be met for evidence to be admitted. You cannot simply go into court and say “look, I have a video!” and expect that the court will review it.
You have to properly authenticate it and offer it in the proper context. It could very well prove your case, but if you are not able to get it into court because you fail to do so properly, you could be preventing yourself from succeeding in proving your case.
You only get one chance, and an attorney will be able to ensure that this piece of evidence is seen and admitted properly.
Contact an Attorney Today
If you have been in a car accident and are not sure if you need a lawyer, it never hurts to contact an attorney to ask any questions you may have. A licensed personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company.
To receive the compensation for your medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
