by Leo Shalit

Can you settle a personal injury case without a lawyer?

Sometimes people settle their personal injury cases without attorney representation. The settlement is done through negotiations, but most often, the victim receives the very least compensation.

If you were involved in a minor accident, you may be able to handle your claim or case without a lawyer. However, it requires a great deal of research, investigation, and evidence. If you fail to prepare necessary documents or take the right actions, you wil likelyl receive nothing.

The clear answer to this question is that if you are well-prepared and can represent yourself, then go ahead. Otherwise, you need an experienced lawyer to ensure getting maximum compensation for the injuries you endured.

Depending on your case, seeking legal advice can save you time and money. Here are some factors that will help you determine whether you need a lawyer to represent you. Read on!

Injury Seriousness

If you have suffered minor injuries, the insurance company may offer a reasonable settlement to cover your medical expenses. On the other hand, if you were involved in serious accidents that have caused severe injuries, discomfort, and pain, you would need a lawyer to evaluate your case.

Remember, the insurance company will give you an underestimated settlement offer if you have more serious injuries. In that case, you can’t handle the case yourself. It is wise to hire a professional attorney to receive the compensation you deserve.

Necessary Evidence

Representing yourself or filing your claim requires evidence, such as proof of the accident, witness testimony, and supporting documents. That way, you can make a successful claim. On the other hand, if you don’t have evidence of your injuries or pain and suffering, the court or insurance company will assume that you didn’t suffer any damages.

Therefore, focus on getting necessary documents, including the police report, videotapes, pictures, witnesses, and medical bills. If you have difficulty obtaining evidence for your personal injury case, you should seek advice from a professional attorney. An experienced lawyer knows how to collect evidence and document it.

Proof of Driver’s at Fault

If you want to make a claim against the driver at fault or their insurance company, make sure you have the sufficient proof. It is easier to proceed with your personal injury claim without a lawyer if the other driver admits their fault.

In contrast, you will need a professional lawyer if the situation leads to a dispute. For example, if you can’t prove who is at fault and the other party makes a counter-claim, in that case, you need to consult an experienced lawyer to evaluate your case.

Calculate Your Damage

Although there is no set equation to estimate your pain and suffering, you need to state some amount for the damages you received during the accident. If you don’t know how to do the calculation, you should consult a lawyer. Some attorneys use the “Multiplier” Method to estimate personal injury and damages, including pain and suffering.

If you need a personal injury lawyer, contact Leo Shalit Law Firm. We have trained, professional attorneys with many years of experience and in-depth knowledge of personal injury cases. Our lawyers go by the book and make substantial efforts to prepare a solid case with all the essential documents to get you maximum compensation. 

by nick ouritski

Do I need a personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer in New York can help you if you have sustained injuries in accidents and want to get financial compensation. You will need funds to pay for medical treatment, pain and suffering, and make up for lost wages.

You are not legally required to have an attorney handle your personal injury case. However, if you don’t know how to deal with the insurance company or present your case in the court, you would need an experienced personal injury lawyer. Here is why you need a lawyer. Read on!

Clear Legal Advice

An experienced and qualified personal injury lawyer in New York will prioritize the service they offer their clients. Like other claims, personal injury claims present their challenges, and as the claimant, you should know that. A personal injury lawyer can give you legal advice and try to get you the compensation you deserve. 

Effective Communication

An experienced lawyer understands the emotional distress personal injuries cause an individual and his family. Therefore, the lawyer prioritizes effective communication to bring clarity and transparency throughout the process. A good attorney always has your best interest at heart. He will listen to you and consider all the necessary points to have a clear picture of your case.

Maximize Compensation

You need a good lawyer to ensure maximum compensation for the injuries you received. Your lawyer has an in-depth understanding of personal injury laws. He or she will make a solid case that will help you get the financial compensation you deserve. Keep in mind that evidence is a vital part of your case.

Although you have the facts, you can easily lose the case if you don’t have evidence. Insurance companies always make substantial efforts to ensure the claim is dismissed or the victim gets the least compensation. Working with a lawyer will ensure proper evidence preparation based on your information. That way, the documentation will back up your claim and lead to maximum compensation.

Streamlines the Litigation Process

Some personal injury cases end up in court. It is because not all claims are settled out of court. For example, your case will end up in court when the insurance company disagrees with your claim. It is often challenging to go through the court process, especially if you don’t know how to face the insurance company’s lawyer and answer its difficult questions.

Besides, the court statements and pleadings require good drafting according to the legal procedures. Likewise, you will have to file the documents in the court registry. You will need to follow up the case to know the hearing dates.

Remember, these processes are hard to follow and will waste your precious time. Because you already have pain and suffering, the court procedures can further complicate the situation. In contrast, it is the personal injury’s job for ensure that the proper legal processes are followed. 

Contact Leo Shalit Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have trouble dealing with the insurance company or don’t know how to collect and document necessary evidence, contact Leo Shalit’s experienced personal injury lawyer. Our qualified lawyer will ensure you get the maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today! 

by Leo Shalit

When Should You Contact An Attorney After A Car Accident?

Do you need an attorney after a car accident? When should you contact a lawyer after a car crash? These are essential questions asked by many people, and in today’s article, we will answer them so that you know how to proceed legally. The general rule is tht if you have been involved in a car accident and received injuries, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

It is not easy to work with insurance companies because most of them offer low settlements, even on cases involving severe injuries. An experienced attorney understands how insurance companies work and how to negotiate with them for a better settlement.

Insurance adjusters usually start at the low end of a specific settlement range. In this regard, a car accident lawyer will place a fair value on your claim to help you get a deserving compensation.

A car accident attorney can handle a variety of car accident cases. For instance, these include cases about permanent injuries, serious injuries, death, pedestrian involvement, construction zone accidents, inaccurate police reports, apparent fault, no-fault, and an uncooperative insurance company.

When to Contact an Attorney?

It would help if you did a few things before contacting your attorney and telling him about the car accident. Call 911 immediately and report your accident, which helps alert the emergency medical teams and police officials to the accident scene.

Get police and medical report to claim your insurance. Without these documents, it is challenging to establish fault and liability. It is easy to collect evidence these days because we have smartphones. So, take photos of license plates, car damage, traffic patterns, intersections, and record videos of eyewitnesses. The information will help your attorney make the case stronger.

An insurance company usually reduces its liability by offering you a low-ball settlement, which is not enough to fairly compensate you for your car damage or personal injuries. In this situation, you need to contact a car accident attorney immediately to file a claim.

Even iif you have minor injuries or no significant car damage, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Call your attorney immediately when:   

·      The accident has caused significant injuries

·      An accident with no established fault

·      An accident involving another driver or pedestrian

·      A crash in work or construction zone

·      The driver is uninsured or underinsured

·      You disagree with the police report

·      Uncooperative insurance companies

Don’t forget to provide your attorney with contact information, police report, medical report, facts about your case, photo/evidence of the accident scene, medical receipts, and witness statements or contact information.

Final Words

A professional attorney will investigate all aspects of your car accident and start negotiating with the insurance company. Remember, a personal injury claim has different legal aspects than a car accident lawsuit. An injury claim is between you and the insurance company, which usually involves a series of negotiations. At Leo, Shalit, P.C., our attorneys are experienced and skilled negotiators who will help you achieve the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!