Are you the victim of a motor vehicle accident? Was your accident the result of the negligence of another party? If so, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries from the party at fault.
In this situation, an insurance adjuster will often contact you directly. The adjuster will attempt to get more information about you, your injuries and what you expect as compensation. Some victims feel that they would rather work without a lawyer. In some cases, you may not need a lawyer – particularly if you have no injuries. However, don’t make this choice quickly as it may cost you. Here are a few myths about handling your own personal injury case:
- Personal injury attorneys are expensive
Many people who want to fly solo think that personal injury lawyers are too expensive. However, most personal injury lawyers – including the lawyers at the Law Offices of Andrew J. Cates, LLC, handle cases on contingency fees. This means that the law firm receives a percentage of your settlement as its payment and does not charge anything up front. Your attorney will only get paid if you are awarded a compensation.
- You don’t need a personal injury attorney for an out of court settlement
The truth is that most personal injury cases don’t make it to court. This doesn’t mean that you don’t need a lawyer to represent you. Insurance companies hire the best lawyers to represent them in personal injury claims. If you have a serious injury claim, you will be outgunned when you face the legal representative of the insurance firm.
Having a lawyer on your side ensures that the scales are balanced. An experienced and skilled lawyer won’t be intimidated by the legal resources of the insurance companies.
- I can get a fair settlement dealing directly with the insurance company
Insurance adjusters are professionals at their job. They know all the right things to say to get the information they need. They also work for the insurance company and are doing what they can to minimize the losses of their employers – the insurance companies.
If you think you will get more out of the insurance company by negotiating with them on your own, you’re wrong. You’re likely to be given less than the full value of your injuries. A personal injury attorney knows the value of your case and will ensure that you receive full compensation.
Don’t be fooled by the many myths that fly around about personal injury cases and personal injury lawyers. Explore all your options before representing yourself against the insurance company.
If you live in Hartford, or were injured in a motor vehicle accident in the Hartford Connecticut area, don’t fall for the myths of handling your own personal injury case. Please contact Andrew Cates for a free no obligation claim evaluation. Call today.