Bradshaw Law, LLC
Bradshaw Law, LLC

What are the Dangers of Not Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

What are the Dangers of Not Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

There are several dangers of not hiring a personal injury lawyer, such as an inadequate investigation, missing deadlines, and not receiving fair compensation. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you will need to seek assistance from a personal injury attorney to achieve the best possible outcome. 

Personal injury lawyer with clipboard and law.

Without a personal injury lawyer on your side, you risk not getting the compensation you deserve. A Nevada personal injury lawyer will have the knowledge, experience, and skills to help your claim be successful.   

Dangers of Not Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Not hiring a personal injury lawyer can lead to a number of dangers, including:

  • Reduced compensation
  • Inadequate investigation
  • Missing deadlines
  • Lengthier process
  • Lack of objectivity

Companies designate insurance adjusters to investigate insurance claims. The adjuster interviews witnesses and gathers evidence to assess the damage. This assessment will determine how much the insurance company needs to pay. 

When speaking to a claims adjuster, you may be wondering if the insurance company is treating you unfairly. Adjusters work for the insurance company. While they are bound to report the truth, they can frame the issues in ways that are most favorable for the insurance company.

Settling Your Personal Injury Claim for Less Than You Deserve

One of the biggest dangers of not having a personal injury lawyer on your side is not getting a fair settlement. If you do not have legal representation, the insurance company or the at fault party may offer you a lower settlement amount than you are entitled to.

A personal injury settlement is a written agreement between the parties that resolves the case. Your personal injury lawyer will gather evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements, and send a demand letter to the insurance company. 

The demand letter typically includes a summary of the facts relating to the accident, a detailed list of the injuries you suffered, and a list of expenses related to the injury. The defendant or the defendant’s insurance company will review the demand letter and may accept the terms of the settlement or make a counteroffer. 

The parties will have the opportunity to negotiate the terms of the settlement and attempt to reach an agreement. Reaching a settlement agreement may involve exchanging a number of proposed offers and counteroffers until a mutually acceptable amount is agreed upon. 

If negotiations are unsuccessful, the parties may attend mediation. Through this process, a neutral third party helps facilitate an agreement. If a settlement is reached, the injured party will receive compensation for his or her injuries and the case will be closed.

The compensation that someone may be entitled to in a personal injury claim can depend on various factors, such as the extent and severity of the injuries sustained, the impact on his or her daily life, and the party or parties responsible for the injury. Compensation can include damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. 

The specific amount of compensation available will depend on the individual circumstances of each case and can vary widely. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate for a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. 

The average payout for a personal injury claim can range anywhere from $3,000 to $75,000. A personal injury lawyer can help ensure you get a fair payout from your claim. Failing to have a personal injury lawyer represent you may result in getting less than you deserve. 

Lacking Negotiation Skills

A lack of negotiation skills can lead you to settling prematurely or for much less than you deserve. There are several benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer, including providing valuable negotiation skills. A personal injury lawyer can help negotiate a settlement in several ways, including:

  1. Providing legal expertise: Personal injury lawyers have extensive knowledge of the law and can provide guidance on the legal issues related to your case. They can review the evidence, identify legal strengths and weaknesses, and determine the fair value of your claim.
  2. Gathering evidence: A lawyer can help gather and organize evidence to support your claim, such as medical records, witness statements, and accident reports. He or she can also hire expert witnesses, such as doctors or accident reconstruction specialists, to provide testimony in support of your claim.
  3. Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies are often more willing to negotiate a settlement when dealing with an experienced personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can communicate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf, negotiate a fair settlement, and handle any disputes that may arise.
  4. Litigating if necessary: If negotiations fail to result in a fair settlement, a personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court. This can put pressure on the insurance company to settle your claim before trial, or it can provide an opportunity for a judge or jury to determine the value of your claim.

Overall, a personal injury attorney can provide valuable assistance in negotiating a settlement by leveraging his or her legal expertise, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and litigating if necessary.

Lacking a Legal Advocate If Your Case Goes to Trial

Whether a personal injury case goes to trial will depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the willingness of the parties to negotiate and reach a settlement. If there is a dispute over who is responsible for the injury or accident, a trial may be necessary to determine fault.

You will need legal representation to advocate for your rights in court. An attorney can present a strong case and help you navigate the legal process. If your personal injury case goes to trial in Nevada, the first step is usually jury selection. Potential jurors will be asked questions by both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s lawyers to ensure that they can be fair and impartial.

Once the jury is selected, each side will present their opening statements. The plaintiff’s lawyer will outline his or her case and the damages he or she is seeking, while the defendant’s lawyer will present his or her defense. Without a strong advocate representing you, you risk losing your case. 

Both sides will then present their evidence, including witness testimony, expert testimony, and physical evidence such as medical records, photographs, and other documents. After all the evidence has been presented, each side will make their closing arguments, summarizing their case and urging the jury to find in their favor.

The jury will then retire to deliberate and come to a decision. 

If the jury reaches a verdict, the judge will read it in open court. The verdict will either be for the plaintiff, the defendant, or a partial verdict if liability or damages are split between the parties. If either party is unhappy with the verdict, they may choose to appeal to a higher court.

Dangers of not Hiring a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is an important decision, and it’s crucial to make sure you choose the right one for your case. You will want to make sure that the personal injury lawyer you hire has the background and knowledge to help you resolve your case.

Here are some questions to ask when hiring a personal injury lawyer:

  1. What is your experience in handling personal injury cases similar to mine?
  2. Can you provide me with references from previous clients?
  3. What is your success rate in settling or winning personal injury cases?
  4. What is your fee structure, and how do you charge for your services?
  5. How long do you anticipate my case will take to resolve?
  6. Will you be handling my case personally, or will it be passed on to someone else in your firm?

You may also want to find out what the potential personal injury lawyers strategies will be and what their experience is when working with insurance companies. Asking these questions will help you determine whether a personal injury lawyer has the experience, qualifications, and skills you need for your case.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

A Nevada personal injury attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to determine who was at fault and gather evidence to support your claim. The dangers of not hiring a personal injury lawyer include missing critical evidence that could have strengthened your case. 

Personal injury lawsuits have strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, that must be followed. If you miss a deadline, you may be barred from seeking compensation. A lawyer can ensure that all deadlines are met, and your claim is filed in a timely manner. 

Personal injury cases involve complex legal procedures and paperwork that can be overwhelming for someone without legal experience. An attorney can handle all the paperwork and ensure that everything is filed correctly.

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Denise Bradshaw

Personal injury lawyer Denise Bradshaw is the founder of Bradshaw Law, LLC., which has offices in Elko, NV and Houston, TX. Denise represents victims of catastrophic birth injuries, automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, dangerous products, and medical malpractice. Denise has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and is also a member of the Multi-Million Dollar and Million Dollar Advocates Forums.

Years of Experience: More than 15 years
Nevada Registration Status: Active

Bar & Court Admissions: Nevada State Bar, U.S District Court, All Nevada and Texas Courts

author-bio-image author-bio-image
Denise Bradshaw

Personal injury lawyer Denise Bradshaw is the founder of Bradshaw Law, LLC., which has offices in Elko, NV and Houston, TX. Denise represents victims of catastrophic birth injuries, automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, dangerous products, and medical malpractice. Denise has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and is also a member of the Multi-Million Dollar and Million Dollar Advocates Forums.

Years of Experience: More than 15 years
Nevada Registration Status: Active

Bar & Court Admissions: Nevada State Bar, U.S District Court, All Nevada and Texas Courts