Settling Your Personal Injury Case On Your Own

Some clients ask if they should try to settle their personal injury case on their own. There are many circumstances when settling the accident case on your own would be prudent. First, if your case only involves property damage, I would certainly recommend you resolve the matter on your own. You can seek an attorney’s guidance along the way, but you should be able to handle the property damage claim on your own without too much trouble.  Just keep in mind that it’s never fun to resolve a property damage claim and you probably won’t be 100% satisfied.  I’ve never had clients tell me they were 100% satisfied with their property damage experience.  Even if your car is a total loss, and they fairly reimburse you, you still have to go through the hassle.  That’s just the way things are. 

You can also handle your own case if you have minor property damage and some minor injuries.  If there isn’t any discernible property damage that can be easily seen, you’re probably better off without the assistance of a lawyer. When clients call my office for an evaluation, I always ask, “Do I need to squint to see the property damage on your car?”  If your case isn’t worth very much money, it doesn’t make sense to involve an attorney.  However, if you have significant property damage and significant injuries, it makes sense to get an attorney’s assistance. Make sure you get an honest assessment from an experienced personal injury lawyer before making this decision.