You’ve been involved in an accident you had no part in causing, and you’re sure you deserve compensation. Everything seems cut and dry, and being a relatively intelligent person, you’re sure you can file a Florida personal injury claim by yourself. Why involve a lawyer who will take a piece of the pie? If this sounds familiar, this article will help you understand how the claims process works and why doing things yourself isn’t always the best option.
If you’re ready to dive headfirst into a Florida personal injury claim, find out how a Miami personal injury lawyer can help. During a free consultation, they can determine your claims’ strengths and help guide you to the best settlement offer possible.
Can You File a Florida Personal Injury Claim Without a Lawyer?
The short answer is yes. You can file a Florida personal injury claim without a lawyer. Florida is a no-fault state, which means you can claim and recover damages from your health or auto insurance policy regardless of who is the negligent party. While this may seem easy and straightforward, moving forward without legal representation is the best way to leave money on the table. For severe, catastrophic injuries, these policies won’t cover all of your damages.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t File a Personal Injury Claim Without a Lawyer
Much like filing your taxes every year, if you don’t have dependents, you don’t own any real estate, and your tax situation is incredibly basic, you may file your taxes without professional guidance. No matter how simple your tax situation is, you may not get the best possible refund without hiring a tax professional. The same goes for filing a personal injury claim without the help of a lawyer.
Signing a personal injury lawyer to manage a claim on your behalf is a better way to ensure you get the best possible settlement. Here are the reasons why.
Free Consultation and Contingency Fee
Personal injury attorneys usually offer a free consultation to discuss your case. Why would you not want to gain some insight into your claim from a legal expert, especially when it’s at no cost to you? An experienced personal injury lawyer can point out weaknesses in your claim and help you present the strongest evidence for your claims.
If you’re worried about paying for legal representation, there’s no need for an upfront retainer fee. Most personal injury law offices work for a contingency fee. This means they’ll only be paid if you receive a settlement; the fee is a percentage of your total compensation. This drives a law firm to ensure you get the most for your injuries.
Experts in Settlement Negotiations
Even if the negligent party’s insurance company has already offered you a settlement, it’s likely a lowball offer. Insurance company claim adjusters aren’t working for you; they limit liability and reduce losses. Without legal representation, some unscrupulous insurance companies will pressure you to take their first offer, telling you to take it or leave it.
A personal injury attorney has the experience and savvy to negotiate the best possible settlement for you. Imagine going up against a powerful insurance company alone, having little to no knowledge of what’s legal. Without legal representation, you will almost surely be taken advantage of.
Knowledge of Everything You Can Claim in a Personal Injury Case
The layperson may only attempt to collect the most basic damages and not for everything they could be entitled to. Medical bills and property damage replacement aren’t the only damages a victim can seek. While the economic damages may be obvious, there are some that you could miss out on without having a lawyer by your side. They can help you be compensated for travel expenses to and from medical appointments, and any construction your home requires if you have mobility issues.
There’s also a host of non-economic damages you’d most likely leave on the table if you file your personal injury claim alone. You could gain reimbursement for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. You could easily miss out on a significant amount of money without a legal expert guiding you.
Should You File a Personal Injury Claim Without a Legal Representation?
Although you can, the answer is always no. Going up against an insurance company without your own legal team is a foolish choice. Without having some big guns, you’ll never get the maximum compensation for your damages. Why go at it alone when you could have a legal expert fighting the battle for you? Never attempt to be compensated for a personal injury without hiring an experienced personal injury attorney.
Also read: Expert Tips to Help You Find a Personal Injury Lawyer
